Pro/Motion - week of May 13

Hello BDA Community,

Did you know that in addition to being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – something we celebrated in one of our opening messages earlier this month – May also marks Mental Health Month as well as Physical Fitness Month?

For all of us at Boston Dance Alliance, there’s no better way to improve your physical and mental well-being than through dance. Whether you’re taking a dance class or going to a dance performance, dance does wonders for our minds, bodies, and souls.

As detailed in this week’s newsletter, May is full of opportunities to move. Scroll down to find your groove and dance your way to an even healthier, happier you!

“On the good foot,”

Aaron Myers, Interim Executive Director

BDA Member Events This Week

Whether you are new to partnered social dance or a ballroom expert, Holly Stone invites you to experience their gender-expansive take on ballroom. Join this ballroom dancing class for adults Thursday, May 16, 6:30-8:00 PM, at 645 Main St., Melrose. Registration: $25.

BABYBABYBABY is a dance about dances about love. Directed and choreographed by Laila J. Franklin, this evening-length work taps into feelings of budding romance, when falling in love is silly and fast and sexy and devastating and you are brilliant and stupid and spellbound. Thursday, May 16, 7:30 PM, Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18, 8:00 PM, and Sunday, May 19, 2 PM, at Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, Martin Hall, 527 Tremont st., Boston. Tickets: $25.

Clara Ramona is back at The Dance Complex for Castanets for Flamenco! Clara Ramona is an esteemed Flamenco artist and teacher with a profound respect for tradition and a liberal, accommodating attitude towards modernism. In these workshops, participants will focus on the technique of castanet playing, coordinating castanets with dance movements, and a standard approach to musicality. Pay at the class or register/pay beforehand by contacting Clara: 857-285-8526. Saturday, May, 18, 2-3 PM and Monday, May 20, 8-9 PM, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Registration: $30 per class or $75 for three-class card.

Boston Adavu brings alignment & injury prevention for Indian classical dancers. This two-day workshop with Rukimini Vijayakumar, will teach dancers about proper alignment as well as methodologies and exercises that will help their bodies function efficiently and quickly in the practice of Bharatanatyam. Monday, May 20, & Tuesday May 21, 5:30-8:00 PM, at The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Registration: $275.

Other events in the community this week:

Newport Contemporary Ballet presents Frames of Mind, a dynamic program inspired by the personal and professional interests of collaborating artist, choreographer/filmmaker, Alex Soares, from Brazil, and NCB resident choreographer and Artistic Director, Danielle Genest. The program explores the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s Disease through the lenses of dance, film/video, and the visceral connection live performance makes with audiences. Thursday, May 16, Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18, 8:00 PM at the WaterFire Arts Center 475 Valley St, Providence, RI. Tickets: $20-$59.

Développé presents Coppélia followed by new contemporary and modern works. Friday, May 17, 7 PM, Saturday, May 18, 3 PM & 7 PM, Sunday May 19, 3 PM, at 59 Union Ave., Sudbury. Tickets: $20.

The Family FunFEST is a full day of entertainment and a celebration of art for all ages, includes live performances, a community art project, live public art event, craft/vendor booths, a carnival and more. Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 10 AM-4 PM, at the Newton City Hall Grounds, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton.

Join the Arts Wayland Expo and enjoy an afternoon of dance among other art forms. Catch Bárbara Martínez and Laura Sánchez Dance Troupe, that will be giving castanets to the audience with a crash course in how to play them. Saturday, May 18, 1:00-7:15 PM, at Wayland Town Green, Andrew Ave, Wayland, MA. The Rain date: Sunday, May 19.

Join That’s Communication – Workshop Weekend with the Lindy Hopcats. Mike Sonder, Katie Cobalt, and Jason Hsu lead a workshop that celebrates you and what we can all bring to our dance community. Saturday, May 18, 1:00-6:00 PM at Salsa y Control, 161 Harvard Ave #13, Allston; Sunday, May 19, 10 AM-5:45 PM at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St., Cambridge. Registration: $30-$175.

Centering on intergenerational trauma in refugee experience, Ilya Vidrin’s “OtherWise” is a multidisciplinary production that investigates and responds to Soviet-era songs of oppression and hope. Saturday, May 18, 8 PM & Sunday, May 19, 4 PM, at the Harvard Dance Center, 66 Garden Street, Cambridge. Tickets: $5-$30.

Dance the night away at the Boston Art Review’s annual launch party and art sale. Get on the dance floor with tracks by DJs who will be featured in Issue 12 including DJ RealP (Silk R&B Party), Baby Indiglo (Silk R&B Party), Mozes (AllYouCanEat), Mx. Blaire (Boudoir), Alfredo (Social Studies). Saturday, May 18, 8:00-11:30 PM, at the Midway Artist Studios, 15 Channel Center Street, Boston. Tickets: $35-$100.

Join the Arlignton Community Barn Dance, including easy and fun dances in circles, squares, and lines. Dances are led by a caller, who teaches every dance. Dancers of every age are welcome; singles, couples, and families. No previous dance experience is necessary. Sunday, May 19, 3 PM at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant Street, Arlington. Suggested contribution: $10, $25. No one is turned down.

Co/motion poster with colorful photos of faculty

Last chance to apply to co/motion! This year’s programming includes Somatic Ballet with Adrian Hoffman, Upside Down & Contemporary Partnering with Jun Kuribayashi, Contemporary with Keerati Jinakunwiphat and Wesley Ensminger, and Creative Lab with JA Collective. The intensive takes place August 5-10 in Cambridge, MA. Scholarships and resources are available to those who are in need. Apply by Wednesday, May 15, 11:59 PM.

Group of students gathered in front of a projection.

Boston University’s Reach Pedagogy Intensive accepting applications. Join this expanded our Reach Pedagogy Intensive as a one-week program, July 8-11. Both experienced and new teachers who are eager to learn from other dance educators, and to share and make connections with other teachers who teach in studios, public education and independent schools, in urban and suburban environments are encouraged to apply. For any questions contact the BU dance office at 617-353-1597 or budance@bu.edu.

Photo of young dancers in pink tutu's and blue leotards.

Saving Grace Dance Ensemble seeks dancers (ages 18+). Must be a trained intermediate/advanced level dancer (ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz) and available on Tuesdays from 10:00AM-1:30PM (September – June). Paid honorariums offered. Audition and all rehearsals are located at Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater. To attend audition, please contact Artistic Director Robyn Goulette at robyn@robyngoulette.com and include your resume. biography and a headshot. Register for the open ballet class by going to www.robyngoulette.com. Tuesday, May 21, 10:00-11:15 AM, 19 Harvey Road, Bedford, New Hampshire. Audition/open class fee: $15.

Dance group in all white looking stage left.

The Multicultural Arts Center launches their Performing Arts Residency program, commencing in Summer 2024. This initiative will provide an emerging performing artist or group with a transformative three-month residency experience with opportunities for creative exploration and professional development. Apply by Wednesday, May 15.

Donna-Newman Bluestein is offering the first in-person training to bring dance to people with dementia in the Boston area since before Covid. Bringing Dance to Older Adults and People with Dementia is a 15 hour in-person training happening Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, 9:00 AM-5:30 PM. Includes a dance group with older adults and people with dementia. Approved for 1 graduate credit or 15 hours Alternate Route CEUs. Registration: $295 until May 18, $345 after May 18.