ONE WEEK AWAY: SUMMER FESTIVAL, AUGUST 1-3
FINAL SCHEDULES GO LIVE ON MONDAY AT WASSAICPROJECT.ORG! BANDS
Body Language, The Suzan, Rocky & The Pressers, Dear Georgiana, Tim Love Lee, Kwesi Kankam, Hessismore, French Horn Rebellion, Thomas Csatari, Elijah & The Moon, Mira Cook, Bryce Hackford, Werebears, ID M THEFTABLE, Turner Cody, Thomas Wesley Stern, Electric Junkyard, King Mono 
Listen to a mix of this year's bands on our 2014 Wassaic Project Festival Spotify playlist!
For descriptions + updates: wassaicproject.org/music/

FILM
FEATURES: Fort Tilden, Appropriate Behavior, Zero Motivation, plus a surprise late night horror film
SHORTS: Two short film programs curated by Jason Sondhi and Andrew S. Allen of SHORT OF THE WEEK.
Joining us for their screenings will be: Appropriate Behaivor director, Desiree Akhavan, Fort Tilden lead actress, Bridey Elliott, and SHORT OF THE WEEK curator, Jason Sondhi.
RSVP necessary for Friday + Saturday screenings at the Cattle Auction Ring. RSVP forms go live Monday!
For descriptions, updates and to RSVP: wassaicproject.org/film/

ART
SEEING THIS GUY, a program of festival specific events, installations, and participatory projects fostering human-to-human interaction on the Wassaic Project grounds.
SEEING THE SKY, the Wassaic Project's 7th annual Summer Exhibition, speaks about how artists explore, examine, and work within their environments. Viewers are invited to climb the seven stories of the Maxon Mills grain elevator, and experience the work of over 70 emerging artists, half of whom are Wassaic Artist Residency alumni.
Artist Talks throughout the weekend.
For more info + updates: wassaicproject.org/exhibitions/2014-2/seeing-the-sky and wassaicproject.org/exhibitions/2014-2/seeing-this-guy/

DANCE
Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, OUI DANSE, 
MBDance, Kiran Rajagopalan, 
Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, 
Ranardo-Domeico Grays’ VISIONS Contemporary Ballet, 
Babara Mahler, Eva Dean Dance
For descriptions + updates: wassaicproject.org/dance/


FOOD
Buffet breakfasts by the Wassaic Firehouse, wood-fired pizza, sandwiches and salads by the Lantern, vegan + vegetarian dishes by Chef Sarah Pace, shaved ice by Back in the Kitchen, and Artist Curated Snack Packs. The produce for the food this year is grown right here in Wassaic, provided by our neighbors Old Forge Organics. 
For descriptions + updates: wassaicproject.org/food/

Plus Community Events such as art activities for kids and teens, a medicinal herb walk lead by Wassaic Community Farm, and a bonfire on Luther Barn field!

Camille A. Brown and Dancers
Lincoln Center out of Doors/Damrosch Park Bandshell
August 2

Director/Choreographer Camille A. Brown and her company, Camille A. Brown and Dancers present the critically acclaimed Mr. TOL E. RAncE.  This work is “…inspired by Mel Watkins’ book, On the Real Side: From Slavery to Chris Rock, Spike Lee’s movie Bamboozled, and Dave Chappelle’s “dancing vs. shuffling” analogy.  The evening-length dance theater work celebrates African-American humor, examines “the mask” of survival and the “double consciousness” (W.E.B. DuBois) of the black performer throughout history and the stereotypical roles dominating current popular black culture,” according to the release. Music is by Brandon McCune, Kurt “KC” Clayton, Jonathan Melville Pratt, and Scott Patterson (piano).  There will be a Talkback session with Camille A. Brown following the performance.

NOTE: Performance time is scheduled for 8:15 pm***However, the time approximate as this performance follows an opening concert set for 7 pm by Stew & the Negro Problem.  Find out more here 







Pilobolus Dance Theater
The Joyce
July 15-August 10
For their annual season at The Joyce,Pilobolus Dance Theater brings two programs “…that exhibit the signature quirkiness and athleticism that leave audiences dazzled year after year,” according to the release. Premieres are The Inconsistent Pedaler and On the Nature of Things, plus other works.  Find out more here 

A Celebration of Jenneth Webster
Lincoln Center out of Doors/Hearst Plaza
August 1
This music, dance and spoken word event pays tribute to Lincoln Center Out of Door’s long-time Director of Public Programming and will  include dance performances by Taylor 2; Yoshiko Chuma and the School of Hard Knocks; Elaine Summers; Ologundê; Brooklyn Jumbies; and the Chinese American Arts Council Dancers.  Find out more here

Showing of the film "TEST" and talk with SIDRA BELL
Steps on Broadway
August 3
See the new film "TEST," a gay drama from writer/director Chris Mason Johnson, that features dance sequences choreographed by Sidra Bell.  The evening will end with a reception for more talk, meeting and mingling.  Find out more here

Award Ceremony was held on Monday, July 28 at The White House
See the YouTube Link here (begin counter at 7:35)

“I am very much honored to receive the 2013 National Medal of Arts,” said Jones. “At a time when the arts have an ever-dwindling presence and importance in education and daily life, I am grateful that the United States Government and President Barack Obama take the time to recognize the necessity of art, and to pay respect to the artistic voices that influence and inspire the public to challenge, question and discover meaning through the arts. I look forward to continuing to engage the people of the United States and the world through the art of movement,” said Jones. 

The National Medal of Arts has been awarded yearly to a select few artists by the National Endowment for the Arts, an independent agency of the federal government that was established by Congress in 1965 to provide support for artistic excellence, innovation and creativity, for the benefit of individuals and communities. Nominations are made annually by the American public, and awarded to selected nominees by the President of the United States. Since its inception in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, the National Medal of Arts has been given to 302 individuals for their inspiration, creativity and hard work, who have meaningfully deepened the cultural life of the nation.

Other recipients of this prestigious award are: Jacques d’Amboise, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Trisha Brown, Merce Cunningham, Katherine Dunham, Suzanne Farrell, Martha Graham, Erick Hawkins, Judith Jamison, Gene Kelly, Bella Lewitzky, Agnes de Mille, Arthur Mitchell, Pearl Primus, Twyla Tharp, Maria Tallchief, Paul Taylor, Jerome Robbins and more. 

One of the must-see performances this weekend is Brice Mousset’s Oui Danse!  Artistic Director/Choreographer, Mousset premieres Travailler: Act 1 & 2, Saturday, July 26 at Ailey CitiGroup Theater.  Just one week after a successful run at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Inside/Out Series, New Yorkers will now get the chance to see what ignited audiences at The Pillow, as it is affectionately called. 

Travailler takes its name from the French word for work and, according to Mousset, the work is inspired by the mentality of "survival of the fittest." Travailler is further described as “…showcas[ing] how the idea of success infiltrates and pollutes the mind, and portrays the circus of the business world, observing the compulsive behaviors of workers into their everyday routine with stress, repetition, competition and the desire for escape,” according to the release.   As such, the movement is terse and direct, yet it leaves room for audiences to question their place as “survivors.”  Mousset shares his thoughts on the performance at The Pillow and the upcoming performance at Ailey CitiGroup Theater.

Charmaine:  Your Company just received a standing ovation at Jacob’s Pillow, what was that like?

Brice: It brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart!  It is pure joy and also a relief!  When I create a work, it always comes from personal experiences; from my life and my entourage [circle of acquaintances]. Showing my work always gives me the feeling of getting naked in front of everybody; revealing an intimate part of myself. On top of this, there is the hard work spent in studios, plus my dancers who bring a lot of who they are on stage. So, the standing ovation felt like the audience understood us and gave us so much love. It's just an incredible feeling of connecting and sharing with our audience!

Charmaine:  Just one week after The Pillow, the New York premiere of Travailler will happen at Ailey CitiGroup Theater.  What are your thoughts?

Brice: It's amazing!!  What an experience to go from the prestigious Jacob's Pillow to Ailey CitiGroup in NEW YORK CITY!  It's also going to be very interesting to go from the gigantic open space of The Pillow, back to a black box theater which is also full of history. Ailey is a completely different venue, with a completely different crowd. This is a great challenge for us. I can't believe how fast it's going!

Charmaine: How did the idea for Travailler come about? 

Brice: Travailler came about in a dark place while observing my close entourage [circle of acquaintances] suffering.  It is about the corporate world and the insanity that the idea of success can bring. I had, and still have, way too many friends and family members who are miserable in their everyday life at work. They suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, boredom from doing a job they don't like, is too demanding, or consumes them. They suffer from their relationships with their co-workers and/or bosses.  It's a world still too often dominated by men, a world where differences are not easily accepted. The idea of success and profit kills the humanity in people. So, I wanted to make a sweet and sour satire that portrays this circus of the business world with exaggeration and a splash of humor. I am convinced that in the end it's all just an act that must be played, but we are all screaming for humanity and looking for love and compassion. Of course some people are very happy about their job, I just didn’t have much time to explore that side of the subject! 

Charmaine: It’s been about one year since you began making Travailler and now there are two Acts.  Is it complete?  Are there more “Acts” in store?

Brice: Travailler is still a work-in-progress. There are aspects of it that I didn't have time to explore, or that I want to develop more, like the acceptance of differences (homophobia, racism and many more). There are also some props and technical elements that I had to give up in the process because it was too expensive and complicated to deal with for now. So yes, there is at least an Act 3 in store.

Charmaine: What goes through your mind now during these last few days of rehearsal?

Brice: Way too much is going through my mind! The pressure is up; it's in NYC, at Ailey, after a standing ovation at Jacob's Pillow. We can't disappoint, we have to be better, stronger. I have to get the best out of my beautiful dancers, as I try to make adjustment in my work to improve it as well. I also think of the lights, the costumes, the ticket sales, the publicity, the press, the very critical New York audience. But I also try to stay calm and enjoy the process, trusting my team who works so hard to make it happen! 

Charmaine: What’s next?

Brice: On August 1st OUI DANSE is performing at Wassaic Dance Festival. I will also be working on a dance film with the Company. In September I will give workshops in Argentina, France, Romania and Italy. In October I will create an event for a fashion designer using OUI DANSE (but I can't say more yet), and in the fall I will be back in the studios with the Company to start a new work (we are still hoping to find a great residency to help the process). Then, in 2015, OUI DANSE will again perform French Amour, the 2nd work from the repertoire, and participate in different festivals. 

For the Ailey CitiGroup performance, works from special guest artists Matthew Powell and Mike Esperanza are added to the program.

Here is a teaser of Travailler from previous performances. 

Find out more here 

FJK Dance
New York Live Arts
July 23-24 

Artistic Director Fadi J. Khoury and his company FJK Dance, brings contemporary ballet and ballroom dance together in two new works, Arabesque and Tango Unframed, connecting “… Argentinean tango, Middle Eastern movement, classical ballet and ballroom dance in a… contemporary dance setting,” according to the release.  Find out more here 






Sam Kim
Jack
July 23- 25
JACK’s dance program, curated by Stacy Grossfield, presents Kim’s solo Fear in Porcelain (working title), part of a series of works about "...private rites exposed by powerful women," according to the release.  This work is not open for review.   Find out more here 

LAVA
MONICA BILL BARNES & COMPANY
LIL BUCK
BALLET HISPANICO
New  Victory
July 23-25
The New Victory Theater’s new series continues with daytime and evening performances:  School/Day Camp Performances: July 23-25 at 11:00am -  Public Performance: July 24 at 7:00pm.  Program includes: LAVA - Heart Beat Hoops by Sarah East Johnson; Monica Bill Barnes & Company I Love Vegas and Anna's Interview by Monica Bill Barnes; Lil Buck The Swan by Lil Buck and Ballet Hispanico Sombrerísimo by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.  Find out more here 

Abe Abraham's Dance-Video Film 'Wind And Tree'
Jack 
July 27th 
Abraham's film "Wind and Tree," originally seen on a single screen, and featuring 18 dancers starring Megumi Eda, will be shown on a 3-screen installation.  Find out more here 

The Pearl Round 14
The Actors Fund Arts Center
July 26
For Round 14 – The Pearl presents choreographers/groups: Ballet Inc., Kalamandir Dance Company, APT #33, INNovation Artists Company, Katie Kilbourn, and Matthew Harris.  There will also be a video presentation of "Bollywood and Bikes," plus a performance by Africa Miranda with the women of Brooklyn Colored Girls Dance Team.  Find out more here 

Brice Mousset/OUI DANSE
Ailey CityGroup Theater
July 26
Artistic Director/Choreographer, Mousset premieres Travailler: Act 1 & 2, inspired by the mentality of "survival of the fittest." Travailler takes its name from the French word for work.  Find out more here 

Stephen Petronio – Book Reading & Signing
Barnes & Noble - Upper East Side - 150 E. 86th St.
July 28 
Join Petronio for an intimate reading and signing of his new memoir Confessions of a Motion Addict , plus a Company performance of The Ship Song to music by Nick Cave.  Find out more here 

Polly Ferman
Queens Theatre
July 29 
Ferman's GlamourTango described as “…a tribute to the early unheralded women in tango,” will be presented as part of The Latino Cultural Festival 2014.  Find out more here 

5 Jam Packed Days - January 21 - 25, 2015

Join Dance professionals for this exciting event who represent the broads gathering of Black Dance professionals in the US and internationally, including executive directors, artistic directors, company managers, choreographers, artists, presenters, teachers, historians, agents, and so many others. Participants will engage in invaluable professional and networking opportunities. Workshop and Panel sessions will provide experiential hands-on learning paired with examples of successful new models that reflect the field's entrepreneurial spirit and will inspire new thinking for a vibrant future for dance. Performance showcases will also include Dance organizations from around the country and abroad.

Conference Registration:  www.ClevelandDanceMovement.org  or  www.IABDAssociation.org
Print registration form and download: http://www.iabdassociation.org/registration-packages/  
More information: www.iabdassociation.org/conference

Come be a part of an Annual special gathering of the Dance Community! 

New York, NY, July 17, 2014 ― The City University of New York has awarded 20 dance companies/choreographers residencies as part of the 2014 CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI).

The CUNY Dance Initiative is a new residency program providing rehearsal and performance space to New York City choreographers and dance companies. CDI was developed in response to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s 2010 report “We Make Do,” which cited the critical need for affordable dance rehearsal space in New York City, and mentioned available performing arts centers and other spaces on CUNY campuses. A successful pilot project in 2013 supporting choreographic residencies and performances on four CUNY campuses prompted CDI to expand its scope.

In CDI’s 2014 season, 11 CUNY colleges in all five boroughs will host a total of 20 residencies. The residency projects, which represent a diversity of ideas, approaches, and styles, will take place between July and December 2014. In addition to providing space for artists to create work and rehearse, all of the CDI projects include programs for students ― master classes, open rehearsals, etc.― and in most cases, public events such as lecture-demonstrations and performances. Complete information about the 2014 residency projects is attached.

The choreographers/companies selected for 2014 residencies are Kathryn Alter & Dancers, Ephrat Asherie Dance, BalletNext, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, BARE Dance Company, Maria Bauman/MBDance, Robin Becker Dance, Dance To The People, Decadancetheatre, ELSCO Dance, Full Circle Productions, Kawamura the 3rd/Mana Kawamura, Keigwin + Company, Loni Landon Dance Projects, Nia Love, Malcolm Low/Formal Structure, Tiffany Mills Company, Elisa Monte Dance, Renegade Performance Group/André M. Zachery, and Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies. 

“The CUNY Dance Initiative is an important new partnership that will enrich campus and community life and expand opportunities for local artists. We are pleased to welcome so many talented dancers and choreographers to CUNY campuses and very much appreciate the support of the New York Community Trust and the Mertz Gilmore Foundation,” said Chancellor James B. Milliken.




CUNY colleges and performance centers participating in 2014 include: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College; City College Center for the Arts at The City College of New York; College of Staten Island Department of Creative and Performing Arts; Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture at Hostos Community College; Hunter College Dance Department; Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College; On Stage at Kingsborough Community College; LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College; Lehman College Department of Dance and Theatre; Queensborough Community College Department of Health, Physical Education and Dance; and Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College.

Artists were selected through an open application process. In this first round, CDI received 178 applications. Each campus selected its residency companies. CDI is providing subsidies to the participating colleges to assist with artist fees, rehearsal expenses, marketing efforts, and other costs.

CDI is supported by a lead two-year grant from the New York Community Trust, with additional two-year funding from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation.

The Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College is serving as the administrator of CDI, and has appointed Alyssa Alpine, who brings over thirteen years of experience as an arts administrator, dancer, and writer in New York’s non-profit world, to manage the project.

For more information about the CUNY Dance Initiative, visit www.cuny.edu/danceinitiative.

The guidelines and application for 2015 residencies will be available on the CDI website in September 2014.

About The City University of New York:

The City University of New York is the nation’s leading urban public university. Founded in New York City in 1847, the University comprises 24 institutions: 11 senior colleges, seven community colleges, the William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, the CUNY Graduate School and University Center, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, the CUNY School of Law, the CUNY School of Professional Studies and the CUNY School of Public Health.   The University serves more than 270,000 degree-credit students and 218,083 adult, continuing and professional education students. College Now, the University’s academic enrichment program, is offered at CUNY campuses and more than 300 high schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The University offers online baccalaureate degrees through the School of Professional Studies and an individualized baccalaureate through the CUNY Baccalaureate Degree. Nearly three million unique visitors and 10 million page views are served each month via www.cuny.edu, the University’s website.