Thursday May 29th, 2:45-4:45pm Reception to follow (4:45-5:45) |
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Ballet X Described by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “exactly what new-century dance should be—undeniable athleticism tied to a core of classical technique,” BalletX consistently pushes the boundaries of contemporary ballet. Founded by former Pennsylvania Ballet dancers Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, BalletX performs works of high artistic quality and complexity that fuse rigorous classical technique with innovative, contemporary choreography. |
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The Barnstormers Tom Jolin and Slim Harrison teamed up as The Barnstormers in 1980 to perform traditional, old time, American folk music. Their toe-tapping, high-energy music is performed on hammer dulcimer, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, button accordion, guitar and vocals blending into unique, “old timey” harmonies and melodies. Both Slim and Tom make their own hammer dulcimers and banjos. |
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Dance Theatre X Inspired by the evocative power of the symbol “X”— as the signature of millions who were never taught to read or write or the mathematical symbol for an unknown — dance theatre x is a Philadelphia-based contemporary dance company founded in 2003 by choreographer Charles O. Anderson. Described by The Village Voice as a “warrior of a dancer,” Anderson synthesizes the spirituality and dynamism of African-derived movement with the candor and vulnerability of contemporary dance. The result: fierce, poetic, socially-engaged kinetic testimonies that bring audiences to their feet. |
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Hotel Obligado Physical Theatre “One of Philadelphia’s most innovative companies…showcasing the power that theater can wield,” wrote Philadelphia Weekly of Hotel Obligado. Co-artistic directors Robin Marcotte and Dawn Falato have won numerous awards for their work including two Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre and a Rocky Award for Choreography. Committed to pioneering physical theater capable of facilitating social change, Hotel Obligado’s work is an energetic and emotionally fertile hybrid of dance and theater that hits both the gut and the mind.
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Koresh Dance Company Renowned for its powerful stage presence and high-energy style, Philadelphia's Koresh Dance Company is hailed as an extraordinary force on the national stage. Founded in 1991 by Israeli-born choreographer and artistic director Ronen Koresh, the troupe presents its audiences with an exciting and emotional blend of jazz, ballet, modern and hip-hop, molded into a style of choreography that is both eloquent and explosive. The "in your face" style of the company keeps audiences on the edge of their seats as the dancers draw audience members into their fantastic world. |
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Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers Described by Dance Magazine as "deeply spiritual, remarkable," the artistry of Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers is an unexpected hybrid between Western and Eastern cultures. Elements of martial arts, calligraphy, tai chi and Western modern dance are interpreted by the company's 4 to 9 dancers in a way that promises to "transport (us) back to the beginning of humanity and the well-spring of our beings." (Backstage) |
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Merian Soto Bessie award-winning choreographer Merián Soto enjoys an extensive international performance history of more than 25 years. Her exuberant interdisciplinary works fuse contemporary and popular dance, video and live music. Soto has collaborated extensively with MacArthur award-winning visual artist Pepón Osorio and has garnered six NEA Fellowships for Choreography. The New York Times calls Soto's work "a rich synthesis of life and art."
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Siora "Creating a soundscape that needs no translation, multicultural and multilingual SIORA takes songs from around the world, from Latin America to Europe to the Middle East and beyond, and transforms them using the universal language of jazz." (William Page, Straight No Chaser). Their original compositions in English cover provocative issues of global significance (with special emphasis on the environment). SIORA features vocalist/ guitarist/dancer Phyllis Chapell and keyboardist/composer Dan Kleiman with bass, drums and optional percussion, flute and saxophone. Their JazzWeek Top 50 release Vis-á-vis received a 4* rating by the All Music Guide.
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Friday May 30th, 2:45-4:45pm Reception to follow |
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Black Ice A performance by Black Ice is one of nonstop, energetic, gritty and thought-provoking entertainment, bridging the gap between hip-hop and poetry. He lent his genius to the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia, has been featured on BET and NBC, and has starred in five consecutive seasons of HBO's Def Poetry Jam. He was cast as a lead member in Def Poetry on Broadway, which won the 2003 Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event. New York Post rates Black Ice's live performance as "diamond brilliant." |
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Box of Light Theatre Rand Whipple's acclaimed Box of Light Theatre has been seen in eleven countries on four continents, including performances at the Smithsonian Institution, the National Theatre's Family Series and on public television. The company integrates computer projections and animations with live performers, whose physical comedy is impressive. Box of Light Theatre presents an interactive and highly visual performance that is unique, seriously funny, and yet accessible to general audiences. |
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The David Joel Quartet The David Joel Quartet, an innovative and original electric jazz ensemble, weaves the traditions of jazz melody, harmony, rhythm and form into a unique aesthetic of its own. Influences of straight ahead jazz, bossa nova, samba, rock, blues and fusion bring a distinct flavor to the quartet’s colorful sonic palette. Composer and guitarist David Joel has performed for over 25 years throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Jazzreview.com states that David Joel “has a strong music base…well-written contemporary jazz songs, solid playing, and lots of potential.” |
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David Pasbrig Celebrated as “one of most elegant pianists in the New Jersey-Philadelphia area” (Classical New Jersey Society Journal), David Pasbrig is acclaimed for his “...range of tonal qualities and technical finesse” (Schenectady Gazette). Appearances at Carnegie Hall, Kimmel Center, the Kennedy Center, Academy of Music, and in Seoul, Korea and Beijing, China have established his reputation as a charismatic and distinctive 21st century performing artist. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with artists including Sergiu Schwartz, David Arnold, and the Conwell Woodwind Quintet and is currently a member of the TRIPOD trio and the West Jersey Chamber Players. He can be heard on Centaur and New World Records. |
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Elaine & Susan Hoffman Watts and the Fabulous Shpielkahs Mother Elaine and daughter Susan Hoffman Watts are third and fourth generation klezmer talents and exceptional musicians. Trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Susan and pioneering percussionist and esteemed klezmer diva Elaine, are joined by the Fabulous Shpielkehs in performances of music passed down through the ages including melodies transcribed by Elaine's grandfather Joseph Hoffman. "Philly's klezmer trumpet star, Susan Hoffman Watts, is something really special," wrote the Philadelphia City Paper. Elaine Hoffman Watts is one of 12 recipients of the 2007 NEA National Heritage Fellowship Awards. |
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Fiddlekicks FiddleKicks brings Appalachian clogging to life with a 'whoop and a holler'! This uniquely American dance, from the southern Appalachian Mountains, emerged from a melting pot of influences - Celtic, African and Cherokee - creating a distinct new form of folk music and percussive dance. Performed to the rhythms and driving beat of live banjo and fiddle, FiddleKicks also showcases other traditional percussive dance styles such as Cape Breton, English clog and English sword dances. |
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Joanna Pascale All Music Guide raved that jazz vocalist Joanna Pascale possesses an "impressive vocal range, flawless intonation, [and an] abundance of feeling, warmth and emotion." "A highly sophisticated" (Metro) singer, Pascale relishes the more obscure standards from the 1920s-1960s. Her vivid interpretations of the Great American Songbook are endowed with a spry sense of swing and romantic grace. Joanna performs regularly with Monk Competition winner Orrin Evans on piano, saxophonist Tim Warfield, Byron Landham on drums and bassist Madison Rast. |
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Lisa Yvonne Ferraro “Extraordinary jazz vocalist Lisa Yvonne Ferraro is soulfully original and has one of the most distinctive voices heard today,” says Tony Mowood, host of WDUQ-FM’s “Nightside Jazz.” Hailed by North Carolina presenter/producer Christy Snow as an “artist who connects soul to soul with her audience as she blends vocal perfection with passion, depth, and ease of delivery,” Lisa is also a talented songwriter. She debuted some of her original music with Marvin Hamlisch at Heinz Hall and composed music for “The Other Side of the River” which aired on PBS. A unique and radiant performer, she has sung in venues from Carnegie Hall to cabarets and concert halls throughout the country. |