musicandmotion's Blog

Continents: A Global Voyage
A new dance work to be presented at Chanticleer

Music & Motion Dance will be performing selected excerpts from their new dance work "Continents" at Chanticleer in Wayne, PA on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 7:00 PM.

Still in development and set to premiere at the 2008 Philly Fringe & Live Arts Festival in the Fall, Music & Motion Dance’s Continents is a multi-textured celebration of rhythm, that is both subtle and complex, yet primal as a heartbeat. Music & Motion literally takes its audiences on a journey of exotic lands around the world, with an exploration of movement from the sun-drenched African mesa; blends of eastern and western traditions in Turkey; the tabala beats of India; modern twists on the original Japanese Jomon culture; Euro-Mediterranean, ethno-techno blends; and rhythmic fusions of Tokelau, Tuvalu and Samoan cultures.

This world fusion experiment acts as a catalyst for the exploration of movement and ideas that reflect our ever-changing global presence, from the historical to contemporary and the traditional to the eclectic. Continents communicates to its audiences on multiple dimensions, leading us on self-consciously inward journey in the seeking a universal ideal.

On Friday, June 20th at 7:00 PM (weather permitting), Music & Motion will be offering selected excerpts from Continents at Chanticleer, A Pleasure Garden located at 786 Church Road, Wayne, PA. The performance itself will take place in the terraces adjacent to the main house. This is free to the public with admission to the gardens, which is $5.00 per adult (16 and over) and under 16 admission is free. The performance is part of The World’s Largest Garden Party, a month-long celebration of the great gardens of the Philadelphia region.

Music & Motion's mission is to empower youth through dance, movement and the performing arts, ultimately building self-esteem and inspiring creative self-expression and community action and interaction. As a company, we seek to bring dancer and audience closer together by performing in both traditional and non-traditional venues, having meaningful dialogues and discourse about our dance works, offering free or subsidized programs to venues and generally making dance more accessible to the public. Music & Motion Dance fulfills the need of providing young dancers with performing experience in a nurturing environment with professional guidance, while continually exciting audiences wherever they perform.

2008 Dancers
Lizz Bashore
Jennifer Durham
Jessica Lynn DiFrancesco
Stacey Folks
Melissa Hunt
Ashley Klemmer
Andrea Piovane
Tasha Saleh
Noelle Tolbert
Morgan Woroniecki

For more information about Chanticleer
http://www.chanticleergarden.org/

For more information about the World’s Largest Garden party
http://www.greaterphiladelphiagardens.org

For information about Music & Motion Dance Productions
http://www.music-and-motion.com/

Music & Motion Dance is one of the few companies offering teens a chance to have professional performance experience unlike any other. This is not a dance school, there are no competitions, there are no fees, just a unique opportunity to dance, create and be part of a very tight knit cast that has come together out of friendship and a pure love of dance.

Music & Motion Dance is currently seeking dancers for its 2008-2009 season. Open auditions will be held on Sunday, March 16th & 30th at 1:30 PM in Harleysville, PA. Dancers should be between the ages of 15 to 22 years and have at least 2 years of formal training. All dance styles are accepted. There is no charge to audition but pre-registration is required by going to www.music-and-motion.com and clicking on auditions.

Music & Motion Dance, a 501 c 3 non-profit, is unique in that it is purely a performance based company and not a dance school or studio. There are no costs to its dancers, not even for costumes. The company is completely underwritten through corporate funding and grants. In addition to performing, company members are responsible for program development, choreography and general operations. All aspects of this dance company are done through a group effort.

Music & Motion Dance's mission is to empower young people through the performing arts to build self-esteem and inspire creative self-expression and community action. Music & Motion performs locally and in surrounding communities throughout the year, as well as conducting performances in a fully professional atmosphere for corporations, retailers and live arts related venues.

 Music & Motion fulfills the need of providing young dancers with performing experience in a nurturing environment, while continually exciting audiences wherever they appear.

To register for an audition on Sunday, March 16th at 1:30 pm or Sunday, March 30th at 1:30 pm, or for more information, go to www.music-and-motion.com

Music & Motion Dance Productions kicks off this years season with the premiere of its new dance work – Continents, A Global Voyage.

Set to premiere in Spring of 2008, Continents is a multi-textured celebration of rhythm, that is both subtle and complex, yet primal as a heartbeat. Music & Motion literally takes its audiences on a journey of exotic lands around the world, with an exploration of movement from the sun-drenched African mesa; blends of eastern and western traditions in Turkey; the tabala beats of India; modern twists on the original Japanese Jomon culture; Euro-Mediterranean, ethno-techno blends; and rhythmic fusions of Tokelau, Tuvalu and Samoan cultures. This world fusion experiment acts as a catalyst for the exploration of movement and ideas that reflect our ever-changing global presence, from the historical to contemporary and the traditional to the eclectic. Continents communicates to its audiences on multiple dimensions, leading us on self-consciously inward journey in the seeking a universal ideal.

Music & Motion Dance Productions is a non-profit corporation, which is both owned and operated by young adults with mentoring from outside corporations and individuals. It is a group of pre-professional dancers ages fifteen thru twenty-two, who have expressed an interest in pursuing dance and the performing arts. Under the artistic direction of Steven Weisz, this group’s mission has been to empower young people through dance and creative collaboration in the performing arts, building self-esteem and inspiring self-expression and community action.

To that end, Music & Motion performs locally and in surrounding communities throughout the year, as well as performances in a fully professional atmosphere presented for corporations, museums, gardens, and live arts related venues. Music & Motion fulfills the need for providing young dancers with performing experience in a nurturing environment, while continually exciting audiences wherever they perform. The collaborative efforts of the entire company create a synergy rich in imagination, celebration and spirit.

2008 Cast Members are:

Lizz Bashore, Philadelphia, PA
Jennifer Durham, Newfield, NJ
Jessica Lynn DiFrancesco, Limerik, PA
Stacey Folks, Pennsburg, PA
Melissa Hunt, Howell, NJ
Ashley Klemmer, Whitehall, PA
Andrea Piovane, Bensalem, PA
Noelle Tolbert, Harleysville, PA
Morgan Woroniecki, East Windsor, NJ

For bookings and information: http://www.music-and-motion.com

Music & Motion Dance Seeks Dancers for 2008 Season

"Music & Motion Dance is one of the few companies offering teens a chance
to have professional performance experience unlike any other. This is not
a dance school, there are no competitions, there are no fees, just a unique
opportunity to dance, create and be part of a very tight knit cast
that has come together out of friendship and a pure love of dance."

Music & Motion Dance, a 501 c 3 non-profit, pre-professional dance company is currently seeking 4 new dancers (male/female) for the 2008 season, which runs from November 2007 through December 2008. Auditions will be held on Sunday October 21st and 28th at 1:30 pm at the Conservatory of Music in Harleysville, PA . Dancers should be between the ages of 15 - 22 years and have at least 2 or more years of current dance training/experience in any of these styles - ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, funk, or hip hop. Please see web site for details and to request an audition - http://www.music-and-motion.com/auditions.html or call 610-394-9182.

Philly Dance Fest is a new festival this year offering a one day showcase featuring a unique selection of area dance companies and inspiring artists, exposing audiences to Philadelphia’s vibrant dance and performing arts community. This year’s festival will take place all day on Saturday, October 6th at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center at 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill.

The lineup of artists is very impressive for a new festival looking to establish itself in an already highly competitive market. The Festival’s mission is to provide veteran and newly-established choreographers and dance companies, in the Greater Philadelphia Region, an opportunity to present their work in a professional venue in order to experiment, develop, and refine their repertories, and to build audiences without the burden of self-producing.

Tickets range between $12.50 to $18.00 with discounts for students and seniors. All seating is general admission and advanced tickets may be purchased on line at www.PhillyDanceFest.com or at the theater box office the day of performance. More information maybe obtained from the web site or by calling 610-394-9182 (Option #2).

A dozen modern dance companies will be featured along with new dance works by contemporary choreographers. Amongst the presenting companies are Miro Dance Theater (Amanda Miller and Tobin Rothlein), which creates original work that explores the collaborative intersections of contemporary dance, video, and visual art. Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Co, which is the only Philadelphia troupe to appear twice at the prestigious FIDA Festival, Toronto, Canada. Fusing modern dance, theater, music, technology and art, the company charms, provokes and informs audiences of all ages with its insightful and wacky views of the world. Una Sera di Danza will feature new works by three of the areas independent choreographers – Kate Jordan, Melissa Caterina Chisena and Tara Lynne Madsen.

Several graduates of the University of The Arts, who have since established their own dance companies, will also be highlighted. Philadelphia-based dancer and choreographer, Molly Root will bring to the festival Anomoly of the Heart. John Luna and Kinetic Outlaws offer a vignette entitled The Living Room - four people, a television, and a sofa. The inescapable consequence of waiting.

The festival will open with a performance by React/dance (co-directed by Jacelyn Biondo and Kristen Shahverdian), which seeks to diminish the boundaries between audience and performer, giving the audience more control over their experience.

Music & Motion Dance of Drexel Hill is the only youth/teen-based performance dance company in the festival. They will be concluding their 2007 season with the final performance of RED, after a successful run at the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe.

Recently established companies on the Philadelphia dance scene, which have gained in notoriety, will be highlighted as well - Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble, Alchemy Dance Company, and Vada Dance Collective. Look for Vada's ardent mix of technical precision, dazzling physicality and an innovative yet classic style resonates with audiences, and makes each performance a true experience.

A compete line up of dance companies and performance times can be found on line at www.PhillyDanceFest.com as well as below…

At 1:30PM (two companies presenting)

REACT/Dance
Imaginary Ordinary
Imaginary Ordinary is a work set on five dancers. Originally shown as a works-in-progress at the In Flux Performance Series, this piece was chosen for completion and invited for performance in the final In Flux Performance Series in May 2007. Moderator Curt Haworth, describes Imaginary Ordinary as “an old time debutante party gone wild. It was a wonderful mix of worlds that took us on a fun, obsessive and passionate theatrical ride." In this evening length premier, react/dance will delve into the back-story of the unique characters and will uncover the events leading up to climactic finish.

Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble
Wanting To Make A Social Change
Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble uses the power of dance and spoken word to explore our communities social ills that plague us today. All the while celebrating the positive solutions that can come from making a social change. This show high lights the famed phrase, "it starts with you, it starts with me!"


At 3:00PM (two companies presenting)

Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Co
Dances for Everyday Objects
Float, Crash and Fall
Created for six dancers and six huge inflated balls, this dance examines the interplay between an object and a person. Dancers roll, float, crash, collide, caress, squeeze, toss and interact with the props creating powerful images that reflect basic human desires. The balls are a movable set that at times are connected to the dancers’ bodies creating a sense of space where time is suspended, allowing for multiple interpretations i.e. planetary, nature and fantasy worlds. As choreographer, I became fascinated by the colors, shapes, textures and qualities of the object and how they informed the movement vocabulary and transported me to other imaginative places.


John Luna & Kinetic Outlaws
Living Room
Four people, a television, and a sofa. The inescapable consequence of waiting.


At 4:30 pm (three companies presenting)

ROOTEDancEnsemble
Anomoly of the Heart
Anomaly of the Heart is a repeated duet combining care and frustration creating subtle dysfunction. Accompanied by the soft, yet striking music of Arvo Part, three duets take you on a journey of discovery, sorrow, contemplation, and reality. Through repeating ideas and switching character roles Anomaly progresses by revealing three different honest, beautiful looks at relationships that are both sincere, yet innately flawed.

Alchemy Dance Company
Preconceived Motions
As we move through life, we all develop beliefs, ideas, and experiences which we draw upon to form our opinions, make decisions, and handle situations. Often, without realizing it, we jump to conclusions based on these preconceived thoughts and fail to see clearly, fail to remain open, fail to try new things thus closing ourselves off from one another and the world around us. Preconceived Motions brings to light the judgments we make based on appearance, sound, and movement and looks at where these “motions” come from and whether we will let them continue to rule us. Alchemy teams up with b-boys of Philly’s Illadelph Phlave for an exciting combination of ballet, modern, and breakin’ techniques in a performance that promises to captivate, entertain, and inspire.

Vada Dance Collective
Nightgardening
Vada's Nightgardening blends abstracted images, emotions and sensations capturing the connection that exists between us and the night. The fervent pictures we create and cultivate in and out of our dreams and the fine line between, and the discoveries they burgeon into inspire this rich collection of works by choreographers Rebecca Herrmann Moyer and Katie Skettino.


At 6:30 pm

Music & Motion Dance
RED
Your eye is caught by a single color, RED. It is inescapable and compelling as senses are triggered and emotions aroused. When this color becomes the defining point of a relationship, one is caught up in whirlwind of seduction, passion, anger, romance and joy. Ultimately this color journey leads us to an empowering view of who we are and what is truly possible. Music and Motion Dance's new work RED, offers us an intimate look at relationships through the medium of movement, luscious visual imagery, differing human temperaments and undeniable beauty of self-discovery.


At 8:00 pm

Kate Jordan, Melissa Caterina Chisena, Tara Lynne Madsen
Una Sera di Danza
Dance works by Three Independent Choreographers

Kate Jordan
Una Sera di Danza: Premier of an evocative, dynamically charged solo featuring Philadelphia-based dancer Lindsay Delooze.

Melissa Caterina Chisena
Una Sera di Danza: Wonderfully fierce dancing in collaboration with original music fuse together to create a brilliant union between the dancer and the instruments.

Tara Lynne Madsen
Una Sera di Danza: Tara will be presenting two new solo works performed by Josh Knowlton (NYC Based Dancer) and Tara Madsen. Original music created by Peter Jones will accompany both pieces.


At 9:00 pm

Miro Dance Theatre
Lie To Me and shorter stories
Artistic directors Amanda Miller and Tobin Rothlein collaborate with Frankfurt choreographer Antony Rizzi to create a whirling array of narcoleptics, pyromaniacs, and paper dolls that weave video art, ballet and modern dance into a magic-realism performance that explores the lies we tell each other, the lies we tell ourselves, and the lies we love to be told. Inspired by Franz Kafka's writings, motifs from classical ballets, and stories of geographical displacement, this work combines the choreography of Amanda Miller and experimental media of Tobin Rothlein with Antony Rizzi's unique blend of theater, video and dance, shaped in part by his twenty years working in Germany with choreographer William Forsythe.

BOX OFFICE, INFORMATION & TICKETS

Information and about the festival and presenting artists is available online at http://www.phillydancefest.com or by calling 610-394-9182 select Option #2

Advanced tickets may be purchased online for all shows at http://www.phillydancefest.com - all major credit cards accepted.

Tickets can be purchased the day of the show in the theater lobby starting at 11:00 am. All seating is General Admission. Discounts offered for seniors, students and UDPAC members.

Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe
Music & Motion Dance Productions

"RED"
A Philadelphia Premiere, 2007

Saturday, September 8th, 2007
Two performances at 2:00 & 8:00 PM

Concert Hall, Independence Seaport Museum
Penn's Landing, Philadelphia.

Tickets $10 General Admission
Available through the Fringe Box Office or on line at...
https://music-and-motion.com/store/products.php?categor
y_id=63

A portion of ticket sales will go to the
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Music & Motion Dance Productions will premiere their new dance work – RED at the 2007 Philly Fringe on September 8th at 2pm & 8pm at the Independence Seaport Museum, Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia.

Music and Motion Dance offers us an intimate look at relationships through the medium of movement, luscious visual imagery, differing human temperaments and undeniable beauty of self-discovery.

A single color, RED, becomes the defining point of a relationship, as one is caught up in whirlwind of seduction, passion, anger, romance and joy. Ultimately this color journey leads us to an empowering view of who we are and what is truly possible.

More information on the web at http://www.music-and-motion.com

In celebration of the 15th Anniversary of Grounds For Sculpture, Music & Motion Dance will return for its third year to present a new work entitled RED on July 15, 2007 from 12 – 3pm throughout the grounds.
 

Set to premiere at the Philly Fringe & Live Arts Festival 2007 in September, visitors to the Grounds For Sculpture will have a chance to preview the new dance work, RED by Music & Motion Dance on Sunday, July 15th. Music & Motion will be offering selected excerpts, from 12pm – 3pm, at various locations throughout the 35-acre sculpture park, located at 18 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ.  The performance is free to the public with admission to the grounds

Music and Motion Dance's new work RED, offers us an intimate look at relationships through the medium of movement, luscious visual imagery, differing human temperaments and undeniable beauty of self-discovery.

A single color, RED, becomes the defining point of a relationship, as one is caught up in whirlwind of seduction, passion, anger, romance and joy. Ultimately this color journey leads us to an empowering view of who we are and what is truly possible.

Dance pieces have been carefully chosen to blend with both the contemporary sculptures offered and the beautifully landscaped grounds.  This strolling program will offer guests a unique mixture of sounds, colors, textures and movement… creating a sense of place in astonishing and unforgettable ways.

As part of the 15th Anniversary celebration, the Grounds for Sculpture will be offering a Free Poster to every car (1 per car), a Free Guest Pass to the first 15 cars entering the park. (1 per car to be used on the next visit), 15% Discount at Rat’s Restaurant  (for parties up to 13 – may not be combined with any other offer) and 15% Members Discount in the Museum Shop (may not be combined with any other offer).

Music & Motion Dance Productions is a non-profit corporation, which is both owned and operated by teens with mentoring from outside corporations and individuals. It is a group of pre-professional dancers ages fourteen thru nineteen, who have expressed an interest in pursuing dance and the performing arts. Under the artistic direction of Steven Weisz, this group’s mission has been to empower young people through dance and creative collaboration in the performing arts, building self-esteem and inspiring self-expression and community action.

To that end, Music & Motion performs locally and in surrounding communities throughout the year, as well as performances in a fully professional atmosphere presented for corporations, museums, gardens, and live arts related venues. Music & Motion fulfills the need for providing young dancers with performing experience in a nurturing environment, while continually exciting audiences wherever they perform. The collaborative efforts of the entire company create a synergy rich in imagination, celebration and spirit.

2007 Cast Members are: Julie Ann D'Angelo, Bristol, PA; Stacey Folks, Pennsburg, PA; Grace Harman, Philadelphia, PA; Christina Heupel, Newtown, PA; Lauren Mulholland, Aston, PA; Ashley Klemmer, Whitehall, PA; Kristen Konski, Bristol, PA; Jennifer Laucella, Horsham, PA; Kate Lubenetski, Quakertown, PA; Melissa Martin, Schwenksville, PA; Andrea Piovane, Bensalem, PA; Alexandra Ruch, Horsham, PA; Noelle Tolbert, Harleysville, PA

Additional Information:  
http://www.Music-and-Motion.com

Grounds For Sculpture, a 35-acre sculpture park and museum, has captivated visitors since 1992, and has only gained in popularity as more of the public discovers its tranquil setting and engaging sculpture.

Indoor Exhibitions of emerging and well-known artists are shown throughout the year in two expansive, glass-walled buildings that were once exhibit halls for the New Jersey State Fair. Over 200 contemporary sculptures, from monumental to smaller scale, can be found on the beautifully landscaped grounds. Grounds For Sculpture also offers gardens, water features, an exciting restaurant—Rat’s, a Café, Museum Shop, Toad Hall Shop & Gallery, and a seasonally-open Gazebo Café for visitors. Special Events and educational programs are scheduled throughout the year offering music and entertainment, lectures, hands-on art activities, tours, and more.

 

For more information about the Grounds For Sculpture
http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/

 

Music & Motion Dance Productions will be performing their new dance work RED on July 11th at 7:30pm as part of the Delaware County Summer Festival held at Rose Tree Park Amphitheater in Upper Providence Township.

Music and Motion Dance's new work RED, offers us an intimate look at relationships through the medium of movement, luscious visual imagery, differing human temperaments and undeniable beauty of self-discovery.

A single color, RED, becomes the defining point of a relationship, as one is caught up in whirlwind of seduction, passion, anger, romance and joy. Ultimately this color journey leads us to an empowering view of who we are and what is truly possible.

According to dancer, Andrea Piovane, “So much of being a teenager is about establishing friendships and relationships. And while there is a lot of advice out there, it can still be quite confusing at times. Relationships are not always easy to talk about, certainly not with parents and sometimes even with peers.” 

Dancer Noelle Tolbert adds, “with this new dance work, fourteen young women have decided to express their feelings about relationships through dance and movement”. Artistic director, Steven Weisz acknowledges “allowing oneself to be vulnerable enough to just put your feelings out there is what makes the creation of RED more difficult than previous dance works this group has created, but the end results are something that touches all of us with a greater self-awareness.”

Music & Motion Dance Productions is a non-profit corporation, which is both owned and operated by teens with mentoring from outside corporations and individuals. It is a group of pre-professional dancers ages fourteen thru nineteen, who have expressed an interest in pursuing dance and the performing arts. Under the artistic direction of Steven Weisz, this group’s mission has been to empower young people through dance and creative collaboration in the performing arts, building self-esteem and inspiring self-expression and community action.

To that end, Music & Motion performs locally and in surrounding communities throughout the year, as well as performances in a fully professional atmosphere presented for corporations, museums, gardens, and live arts related venues. Music & Motion fulfills the need for providing young dancers with performing experience in a nurturing environment, while continually exciting audiences wherever they perform. The collaborative efforts of the entire company create a synergy rich in imagination, celebration and spirit.

2007 Cast Members are: Julie Ann D'Angelo, Bristol, PA; Stacey Folks, Pennsburg, PA; Grace Harman, Philadelphia, PA; Christina Heupel, Newtown, PA; Lauren Mulholland, Aston, PA; Ashley Klemmer, Whitehall, PA; Kristen Konski, Bristol, PA; Jennifer Laucella, Horsham, PA; Kate Lubenetski, Quakertown, PA; Melissa Martin, Schwenksville, PA; Andrea Piovane, Bensalem, PA; Alexandra Ruch, Horsham, PA; Noelle Tolbert, Harleysville, PA

 

Additional Information:  

http://www.Music-and-Motion.com

Part of this years week long Celebration of Freedom in Philadelphia,
will be the youth dance group known as Music & Motion, performing at
the Free Library of Philadelphia, 19th & Vine Streets on Saturday,
June 30th at 2 pm. Admission is Free to the public.

Music and Motion Dance will be presenting their new work, RED, an
intimate look at relationships through the medium of movement,
luscious visual imagery, differing human temperaments and undeniable
beauty of self-discovery.

Perhaps not your usual patriotic fair for the July 4th weekend, but
this performance is definitely well worth catching. The collaborative
efforts of the entire company create a synergy rich in imagination,
celebration and spirit.

Dancers combine a wide variety of styles from lyrical and jazz to hip
hop and cultural dance, offering a bit of something for everyone.
Fourteen, female dancers from all different backgrounds will take to
the stage for this celebration, showing us what can be possible
through creative collaboration, self-expression and a strong sense of
community.

This year's performance has also taken on a special meaning for the
entire company. When at the start of 2006 they decided to create a new
dance work entitled RED, the group had no idea that the "red concept"
was to become a symbol for the launch of (PRODUCT) Red™ Campaign to
support The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. RED
became not only a dance work but also a choice for the company – a
choice to do something to help others. So throughout the year Music
and Motion will be donating a part proceeds from performances and
encouraging others to give to the Global Fund.

Music & Motion Dance Productions is a non-profit corporation, which is
both owned and operated by teens with mentoring from outside
corporations and individuals. It is a group of pre-professional
dancers ages fourteen thru nineteen, who have expressed an interest in
pursuing dance and the performing arts. Under the artistic direction
of Steven Weisz, this group's mission has been to empower young people
through dance and creative collaboration in the performing arts,
building self-esteem and inspiring self-expression and community
action.

To that end, Music & Motion performs locally and in surrounding
communities throughout the year, as well as performances in a fully
professional atmosphere presented for corporations, museums, gardens,
and live arts related venues. Music & Motion fulfills the need for
providing young dancers with performing experience in a nurturing
environment, while continually exciting audiences wherever they
perform. The collaborative efforts of the entire company create a
synergy rich in imagination, celebration and spirit.

2007 Cast Members are: Julie Ann D'Angelo, Bristol, PA; Stacey Folks,
Pennsburg, PA; Grace Harman, Philadelphia, PA; Christina Heupel,
Newtown, PA; Lauren Mulholland, Aston, PA; Ashley Klemmer, Whitehall,
PA; Kristen Konski, Bristol, PA; Jennifer Laucella, Horsham, PA; Kate
Lubenetski, Quakertown, PA; Melissa Martin, Schwenksville, PA; Andrea
Piovane, Bensalem, PA; Alexandra Ruch, Horsham, PA; Noelle Tolbert,
Harleysville, PA; Maria-Teresa Grinneby, Vocalist, Newtown, PA


-------------------------------------------------------
--------

Additional Information:
http://www.Music-and-Motion.com

So much of being a teenager is about establishing friendships and relationships. While there is lots of advice out there from parents, peers, self-help books and web sites, it can still be quite confusing at times. Relationships are not always easy to talk about, certainly not with parents and sometimes even with peers.

 

However, one group of fourteen young women has decided to express their feelings about relationships through dance.  The members of Music & Motion Dance, a youth group of pre-professional dancers, have collaborated on a new dance work entitled RED. They have used the color red as a defining point for relationships, taking the audience through a journey that involves seduction, passion, anger, romance and joy. Ultimately this color journey leads one to an empowering view of who we are and what is truly possible. RED offers us an intimate look at relationships through the medium of movement, luscious visual imagery, differing human temperaments and undeniable beauty of self-discovery.

 

Artistic director Steven Weisz acknowledges, “Allowing oneself to be vulnerable enough to just put your feelings out there is what makes the creation of RED more difficult than previous dance works this group has created. Yet, the end results are something that touches all of us with a greater self-awareness.”

 

Music & Motion Dance has been a unique dance company from the start. It is neither a dance school nor a competition team. The dancers themselves come from all over the greater Philadelphia region. Comprised of youths ages 14-19, this group has come together from various backgrounds out of a love of dance and a desire to express themselves through performance. In fact, the dancers themselves have formed this non-profit company and input on every aspect of its operation - from marketing to production and from dance concept to choreography.

 

The development of RED has opened up a whole new dialogue for the cast members of Music & Motion Dance, but they are quick to add that it has also provided a basis of discussion about relationships in a more open fashion with the audiences they serve.

 

The opening of RED involves three dance pieces that examines flirtation and infatuation. Dancer Kristen Konski explains, “You know when you like someone. Your heart beats faster, your stomach seems to sink and you struggle for words every time you see them. It’s awkward at times but it’s also exciting.”

 

As the new dance work progresses, infatuation turns to love. Alex, one of the company’s newer members adds, “For a while, this new love occupies all your time, then the obsession settles. With infatuation gone, you start to see the other person as they really are – both their positive and negative aspects. You accept them for who they are unconditionally and want to support and help them. A crush may lead to love, but not always. And sometimes you find yourself falling in love with someone you didn't even find attractive the first time you met.”

 

As many a member of this group has discovered, what they thought was love is not always lasting. And even for such a young group, many have experienced break ups and the emotions that go with it. Senior dancer, Noelle Tolbert adds, “the end of a relationship can leave you feeling miserable, even if you were the one doing the dumping.” Together with Andrea Piovane, they created a duet called Lament, which depicts those feelings so clearly that it tends to bring onlookers to tears.

 

What is remarkable is how insightful the entire group has become as a result of this production. “Relationships mean compromise” according to Andrea.  But the group has learned so much more in this journey. As Kate Lubenetski explains, “Feeling comfortable about talking means feeling good about yourself. You need self-esteem to feel assertive. Be as true to yourself as you can. Respect your own thoughts and opinions and be honest about them. Your partner will love you for who you are. Pretending to be something you're not won't work in the long term.”

 

In their final piece, which focuses on resolve and self-fulfillment, the entire cast makes that message so very clear, as one can feel not only the inner strength they have developed, but also with it the grace, beauty and self-confidence they exude as a group.

 

Be sure to look for their upcoming performances of RED in late Spring of 2007 in the Greater Philadelphia region. You can find out more information about this group and their schedule at www.music-and-motion.com.

 

You are invited....

Music & Motion Dance Productions
to appear at First Night® Newtown 2007


TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 8:00 PM
Newtown Middle School Auditorium
116 Richboro Road, Newtown, PA

To A Different Beat
Known for visually arresting creations, this contemporary youth company explores a cultural fusion of expressive rhythm and dance set to modern global music. Blending individual creativity, these dancers entice with their own rhythms of the heart, intense imagery, boldness and pure energy.

For the cast of Music & Motion Dance, this has been their most ambitious project to date. The company toured with this new dance work in Canada during the Summer and then had a most successful premiere here in the states at the Philadelphia Fringe & Live Arts Festival. High-energy world beats and sizzling rhythms “make the dances more challenging and complex to choreograph” according to senior dancer, Noelle Tolbert. But she adds, “they also just make you want to get up and move, stomp, dance and just enjoy this ethno-fusion and celebration of what is a part of all of us.”

Music & Motion Dance Productions is a non-profit corporation, which is both owned and operated by teens with mentoring from outside corporations and individuals. It is a group of pre-professional dancers ages fourteen thru nineteen, who have expressed an interest in pursuing dance and the performing arts. Under the artistic direction of Steven Weisz, this group’s mission has been to empower young people through dance and creative collaboration in the performing arts, building self-esteem and inspiring self expression and community action. To that end, Music & Motion performs locally and in surrounding communities throughout the year, as well as performances in a fully professional atmosphere presented for corporations, museums, gardens, and live arts related venues.

First Night® Newtown 2007
First Night Newtown is a family oriented, alcohol-free, arts based community New Years Eve celebration, which will take place in Newtown Borough, First Night Newtown is celebrating its 9th year. Since it’s inception in 1997, First Night Newtown has attracted thousands of people to Newtown – Families, friends and the entire community come together with one common goal, to celebrate the arts and the start of a new year. On the web at: http://www.firstnightnewtown.com

For information about Music & Motion Dance Productions
http://www.music-and-motion.com/