Hello BDA Community,
Hope you had a great holiday weekend and that your April is off to a great start.
In this season of new beginnings, I’ve had the joy of seeing some inspiring new works and works in progress by talented members of our dance community in the Boston Dancemakers Residency and NACHMO (National Choreography Month) Boston. BDA is proud to support these programs and the participating dancers putting their heart & soul into the creation of new dance works. Read on for the latest info on this week’s dance events and click here to have your dance event included in an upcoming edition of BDA’s newsletter.
Happy Spring!
Aaron Myers, Interim Executive Director
BDA is saddened to inform the community of Charles Daniels passing. A celebration of his life will be held this Sunday, April 7, 4-7 PM at the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville.
Maybe you knew Charles Daniels as a neighbor in the ‘Ville. Maybe you knew him as the Master Blaster –announcing at the Tea Party or WBCN, cavorting with rock legends on Newbury Street or Harvard Square. Perhaps he photographed you dancing, hanging backstage, or just walking down the street in style. Maybe you even spotted Charlie in chaps and a cowboy hat astride his horse. The man knew how to live, and that’s what we are gathering to remember and celebrate.
A grant from the Somerville Arts Council and a Go Fund Me Campaign raised the funds necessary to process 3,400 rolls of undeveloped film. Before he died, Charles was able to see 90,000 images captured during his adventurous life. Some of these never-seen photos will be shared at the Memorial.
Bring an offering for the memorial altar –a note, photo, flowers or memento – something Charles would enjoy. Record or write a short story about Charles – 30 to 60 seconds on your phone, and email TheMasterBlaster72@gmail.com and it might be shared as well. If you can’t attend, feel free to email something to be printed out for the altar.
Congratulations to Shakia Key Barron!
The New England Foundation for the Arts announced the 15 recipients of the Public Art for Spatial Justice grant. A total of $435,000 was awarded in this round to create public art that fosters more just, vibrant, and welcoming public spaces across Massachusetts.
BDA’s fiscal sponsee Kia the Key & Company was among the recipients with “The Gathering,” an immersive outdoor performance experience that includes a vibrant Hip-Hop and House dance and music performance. Learn more about the project here.
The 15th annual South Asian Showdown Competition will take place this Saturday, April 6, 6-10 PM at the Strand Theatre. South Asian Showdown will host 10 of the best Bollywood/Fusion teams from North America who will compete to be crowned the South Asian Showdown Champions! The last 14 years of the show have been very successful with strong support from sponsors and has sold out with an attendance of 1,400 people!
Pro/Motion subscribers have an exclusive 10% discount! Get your discounted tickets now!
Join the after party at the Middle East in Cambridge!
BDA Member Events This Week
Northeast Arts is bringing Boston Ballet Soloist Maria Alvarez to teach an open Master Class. Learn from the experts as their Master Class Series continues. Saturday April 6, 10:00-11:45 AM, at Northeast Arts, 85 Seaverns Ave., Jamaica Plain. Registration: $22.
The second Boston WiP features BDA members Nozama Dance Collective, Dara Nicole Capley, Holly Stone, among others. Boston WiP is a low stakes platform for dance and performing artists to present movement driven work. Join for an evening featuring eight new work-in-progress performances, all presented by local artists. The show will run twice with the same program.
Saturday, April 6, 6 & 8 PM at the SomArt Space @ the Hive. Tickets: $20.
Deborah Mason’s CYDP DANCE COMPANY will celebrate 20 seasons performances on Saturday, April 6, 7 PM and Sunday, April 7, 2 PM, at Boston University Dance Theater, 915 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. The all-premieres program features choreography by renowned stars of ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and hip-hop, including Deborah Mason, Ian Berg, Adrienne Hawkins, Christopher Huggins, Jenny Oliver, Jeryl Palana, Demi Remick, and Leslie Woodies.
FREE! – MIDDAY Mentees Aileen León-Echeverria, Izzi King, Leah Misano, and Tambre Keene, have their Final Events. Share the mentees’ renderings of their artistic journeys, hear about their experiences in a Panel Discussion, and mix and mingle with friends and colleagues from across the community! Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open to the public, pre-registration requested. Friday, April 5, 6:30-8:00 PM at the Cultural Equity Incubator, 15 Channel Center St, Boston. Friday, April 12, 6:30-8:00 PM at the Multicultural Art Center, 41 2nd St, East Cambridge. Saturday, April 13, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM at SomArts @ The Hive, 561 Windsor St (4th Floor), Somerville.
United Dance presents Carnival of the Animals. Hear the music of Camille Saint-Saens and follow the story of Alfie, a young boy who struggles being social. More comfortable with his stuffed animals than with people, Alfie plays with his toys alone each night to escape the world. One night, after he’s gone to sleep, watch as his animals come to life to help Alfie on a journey to self-acceptance. Carnival of the Animals will be presented alongside Di Marco’s Gatherings, returning to United Dance audiences after critical acclaim in 2023 and the world premiere of Sundaey. Friday, April 5, 7:00 PM & Saturday, April 6, 1:30 PM, at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 2nd St, East Cambridge. Tickets: $0-$41.
FREE! – Harvard Dance Project (HDP) will present an hour-long durational professional performance for the first time since 2020 at the Harvard Dance Center. The HDP ensemble comprises undergraduate and graduate students who joint and double major at Harvard University: Nancy Hinojos HKS ’25, Liliana Price ’25, Payton Thompson ’25, and Lulu Troyer ’26. This season, creative professionals joining LROD and the HDP ensemble are Sidra Bell w/ Kimie Parker, Dede Ayite, Sam Tirrell, Jesse Cannon, Callie Chapman, and Andy Russ. Friday, April 5, 7:30 PM, and Saturday, April 6, 2:30 & 7:30 PM at the Harvard Dance Center, 66 Garden St.
Playspace, hosted by Mira Goksel and Olivier Besson, is an interdisciplinary improv jam for artists of all practices. Join to move, create, observe, exchange art, build community, and play. This session will have live music by Sarah Nichols. Sunday, April 7, 3-5 PM at the SomArt Space @ Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. Registration is on a sliding scale $10-$20+ (no one is turned away due to lack of funds. Email miragoksel@gmail.com to register or for more information.
FREE! – Rose Woods Dance Collaborative presents “They Sat There, Feeling Happy Together”. A whimsical story time comes to life through movement. Dive into the imaginative worlds in beloved children’s stories written by Jewish authors including Where The Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak), Frog and Toad (Arnold Lobel), and select poems by Shel Silverstein. Before the show, little movers (ages 6+) are invited to make their own dance inspired by picture books in our Children’s Workshop. Your little mover can bring their favorite picture book or choose from the books provided in the workshop. All levels are welcome! Reservations required. Sunday, April 7, 5 PM at the Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress St, Portland, ME.
#HellaBlack Vol 6: Sacred — curated by Amanda Shea — asks the performing artists to embody and present what makes them feel grounded in their creation. The artists will showcase how this sense of safety, security, and secrecy influences their artistic expression. This year’s artist line up includes D Ruff, Killah Croc, Capella, Ky, Letta Neely, TiElla, Power of Skirts and 617PEAK Youth Performers. Monday, April 8, 7 PM (post-show reception at 9 PM), at the BCA Cyclorama, 539 Tremont Street, Boston. Tickets: $35.
Boston University is looking for an energetic and dedicated Dance educator/counselor for Aerial and Dance Arts sessions (part of the Family Recreation’s Camp Terrier); ages 8 – 11. Aerial or acro experience helpful but not required (aerial instructor will be on staff). Must be available for all dates, M-F, July 8 – August 9:
• July 8 – 12; 1 week only; observation/photo session on final day
• July 15 – 26; 2 week with culminating performance
• July 29 – August 9; 2 week with culminating performance
Daily breaks scheduled to equal 40 hours per week
In addition to the general qualifications and responsibilities for Camp Terrier, the counselor for Aerial and Dance Arts responsibilities include:
• teaching 1 or 2 classes per day and choreographing for ballet, modern, jazz classes, and/or creative movement/choreography
• choreographing and facilitating campers’ choreography; prepping for culminating performance
At least 3 years of dance training required; camp counselor experience preferred. Send resume to mtaypin@bu.edu.
The Dance Hall is hiring an Executive Director. The ideal candidate is a fully engaged, hands-on leader, to serve as the face of the organization and to chart the course for the organization’s next chapter. A proven and respected leader with demonstrated expertise in fundraising, day-to-day operations, team-building, long-range strategic planning, goal-setting and timely execution, s/he/they will be committed to leading The Dance Hall in achieving the vision, programming and development goals and activities core to its mission and long-term sustainability. Any questions about the position can be directed to thedancehalledsearch@gmail.com.
This year, Creative Capital welcomes innovative and original new project proposals in visual arts, performing arts, film/moving image, technology, literature, multidisciplinary, and socially engaged forms. The deadline for submitting is Thursday, April 4, 4 PM.
Modern Connections is requesting a nomination(s) of local choreographers who are inspiring you and would benefit from receiving stage, film, and photography support of their work. This form will remain open until Wednesday, April 10 at 11:59pm EST. The goal is to support 6 choreographers on one evening in May. The ideal candidates are developing a new work and interested in critical feedback, are in need of high quality digital assets for upcoming applications, and/or are thinking of dance in unique ways.
Dance in a crowd for Beti Zet’s new music video. There’s an additional option to be a Fruity Deity (wear a toga & hold a fruit & pose. Video recording will take place on May 18, 2-5 PM for crowd dancing. Fruity Deity shots run until 7 PM. Rain date is May 19 in Allston, MA (exact address will be emailed before the shoot). Wear a queer pride attire/whatever makes you feel hot & confident! The video will be very fruity (literally), so feel free to wear any fruit-themed attire if you have it! Drag artists & dancers are welcome and will receive a highlight in the video if you wish. If you sign up to be a Fruity Deity, please bring your own bedsheet/toga! Extras provided if needed.