Arizona Panorama Hills Magazine 602-565-5785 Dance Page

Sister Moses Celebrates 18th Season!

Desert Dance Theatre presents “Sister Moses: The Story of Harriet Tubman” for its 18th Season on Friday, February 12, 2010 (7:30pm) at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts, 4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert, AZ. Tickets are $15 Adults, $12 Seniors, and $10 Students/Groups 10+ and available at the HCPA Box Office, 480-270-7190 or www.higleyarts.org .

The first half of the evening performance will open with music, poetry and dance by local community talent, featuring special guests, Axe Capoeira Arizona.

School matinee performance is offered on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 9:45am by reservation only. Admission to the matinee performance is $4.50 Students and $5.00 Adults. For reservation information call 480-962-4584.

“Sister Moses” is a beautiful story of a courageous woman’s determination to free her people from slavery through the Underground Railroad . She was one of America’s first liberated woman of color, who fought against all odds for the sake of freedom and equality. This powerful dance drama features Desert Dance Theatre with Renee Davis as Harriet Tubman, dramatic narration by Fatima Halim, African drumming and music direction by Step Raptis, accompaniment by String Sounds and traditional spirituals sung by a choral ensemble featuring baritone soloist, Greg Dansby. “Sister Moses” promises to entertain and enlighten its audiences.

Desert Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance company known for its diverse modern dance repertory, interdisciplinary collaborations, and major thematic productions which address important historical as well as current issues.

Don’t miss this exciting performance of music, dance and drama!

For more information contact Desert Dance Theatre at 480-962-4584 or go to www.DesertDanceTheatre.org

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PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY TO PERFORM TWO EVENINGS OF NEW AND CLASSIC WORKS Paul Taylor Dance Company Nov. 18–19, 2009 Wednesday and Thursday @ 7:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
The NEW Virginia G. Piper Theater photos by Tom Caravaglia

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present the Paul Taylor Dance Company on Nov. 18–19 in its newly renovated Virginia G. Piper Theater. Single tickets are available for $47 through the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ patron services box office at (480) 994-ARTS (2787) or online at www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org.

A living legend, dance maker Paul Taylor first presented his choreography with five other dancers in New York City in 1954. That modest performance marked the beginning of a half-century of unrivaled creativity, and in the decades that followed, Taylor became a cultural icon and one of history’s most celebrated artists, hailed as part of the pantheon that created American modern dance.

Now in his 80th year – an age when most artists’ best work is behind them – Taylor is acclaimed for the vibrancy, relevance and power of his dances. As prolific as ever, he has amassed a growing collection of 130 dances and continues to explore some of society’s thorniest issues. While known for creating many revolutionary and controversial works, since the very start of his career, Taylor also has made some of the most purely romantic, astonishingly athletic and downright funniest dances ever performed on stage.

Known for its daring innovation, Taylor’s choreography often combines the grace of ballet with the spontaneity of modern dance. With uncommon musicality and wide-ranging taste, Taylor has set dances to everything from ragtime, reggae and rock to masterpieces by Bach and Handel, and he has collaborated with artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly and Alex Katz.

The Paul Taylor Dance Company will offer two different programs of classic and new works on separate nights. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, the company will perform Syzygy, 1987; Brief Encounters, 2009; and Esplanade, 1975. On Thursday, Nov. 19, it will perform Arden Court, 1981; Scudorama, 1963; and Offenbach Overtures, 1995.

These performances are part of the Art in Motion Series sponsored by the Daron and Ron Barness Family Foundation.

LOCATION AND PARKING Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale, four blocks south of Indian School Road and three blocks east of Scottsdale Road. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and directly behind Los Olivos restaurant on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

ACCESSIBILITY Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members’ experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assisted listening devices and wheelchair seating are always available. Visit the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Web site at www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org or contact the patron services box office at (480) 994-ARTS ext. 2 [TDD: (480) 874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.

GROUP AND STUDENT DISCOUNTS Attend with family and friends, or bring a group from your business, civic or religious organization. Save $3 per ticket and at least $30 in handling fees when purchasing 15 or more tickets to the same event (subject to availability; some restrictions apply). Instead of $2.50 per single ticket, the handling fee is only $7.50 total for group orders. Full-time students may purchase half-price tickets one hour before events/performances (subject to availability; limit one single ticket per full-time student; some restrictions apply). Must present current valid student I.D. in person at the patron services box office. No phone orders.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Opened in 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts presents a dynamic, culturally diverse season of dance, jazz, classical and world music, theater and satire. Approximately 2,000 performances, educational programs, festivals and other events are showcased annually serving more than 300,000 people and contributing substantially to Scottsdale’s high quality of life and vibrant arts scene. Performances take place in the Center’s newly renovated 853-seat Virginia G. Piper Theater and 137-seat Stage 2 as well as the 2,000-seat amphitheater on the grounds of the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The Center’s youth education and outreach programs reach more than 50,000 school children each year, and its free events are available to the entire public. The Center also produces the award-winning Scottsdale Arts Festival every March; Sunday A’Fair, a series of free outdoor music festivals held on Sunday afternoons from January to April; and Native Trails, a collaboration with the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau that features free demonstrations of Native American arts and culture from January to April. Opening in fall 2009, the Center Bistro by Arcadia Farms features pre- and post-show menus. Open daily and during performances, The Store @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers hand-crafted jewelry, accessories for the home, imaginative toys, recordings, books, greeting cards and more.

The Scottsdale Cultural Council, a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is contracted by the City of Scottsdale, Ariz., to administer certain City arts and cultural projects and to manage the City-owned Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Scottsdale Public Art Program. The programs of the Scottsdale Cultural Council are made possible, in part, by the support of members and donors and grants received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts through appropriations from the Arizona State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Desert Dance Theatre - Calendar of Events 2009-10

September 12, 2009 (10:00am-3:00pm, DDT Performs at 11:30am-11:45am)
East Valley Tribune’s Tenth Annual Get Out Performing Arts Expo
Mesa Arts Center, One East Main Street, Mesa AZ
Desert Dance Theatre: 480-962-4584 or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org
Info: 480-970-2381 or www.getoutaz.com
Cost: Free
Over 50 Valley performing arts groups will be participating to promote, show previews, and sell tickets to their 2009-10 season events.

October 8-10, 2009 (7:30pm)
Arizona Dance Festival 2009
Tempe Center for the Arts – Studio
700 West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ
Desert Dance Theatre: 480-962-4584 or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org
TCA Box Office: 480-350-2822 or www.tempe.gov/tca
Cost: $18 Adult, $15 Senior, $13 Student, $25 for 2 nights, $30 for 3 nights, $12 Group of 10 or more (Plus box office fees)
VIP Deals - $10 Friends of Desert Dance Theatre (DDT), Arizona Dance Coalition (ADC), Arizona Presenters Alliance (APA) members (Plus box office fees)
Desert Dance Theatre presents this annual event that will showcase different dance artists, including: emerging artists as well as professionals from all genres and styles of dance. Each evening will showcase different dance artists and groups from Arizona and out of state.
October 15-18, 2009 (Thursday-Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday 2:00pm)
Center Dance Ensemble’s Fateful Loves of Hamlet
Herberger Theater Center – Stage West
222 East Monroe, Phoenix, AZ
Herberger Box Office: 602-252-8497 or www.herbergertheater.org
Cost: $24 Adults, $20 Senior, $12 Student (Plus box office fees)
Call DDT 480-962-4584 for available discounts.
Desert Dance Theatre performs as guests along with other local dance groups in Center Dance Ensemble’s 21th Season Fall concert featuring thematic works related to Shakespeare.

October 2009-May 2010 (Schedule listed on DDT website)
The Whatzit That Came To School -
- "The Whatzit That Came to School" is a 30 minute inter-disciplinary program to be presented to children in grades kindergarten through six at elementary schools throughout the greater metropolitan Phoenix area during the 2009/l0 school year. This 60 performance series will feature String Sounds' classical string quartet, four professional dancers from Desert Dance Theatre, a school "chorus" at each site and a storytelling prologue to each scene. The programs will be presented in play form, with the dancers using costumes and props as they dance the characters and action of the story. Story Synopsis: At an elementary school in our city a strange Whatzit appears on campus. He is big, multi-colored and looks different from all of the students in every other way also. The entire student body is mobilized to try and catch the Whatzit because everyone is afraid of him. When the Whatzit is finally captured, he is broken-hearted because no one appears to like him. The administrators and the students then feel very sorry that they didn't try to make friends with the Whatzit. They discover that he is harmless, loves children, that his principal diet consists of waste paper and that he enjoys a little bit of paste for dessert.
Elementary Schools Valleywide
Desert Dance Theatre: 480-962-4584 or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org
Booking Information: 602-275-7790 This program is only available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

October or November 2009 (TBA)
Lecture Demonstration
Gateway Community College, 1100N/S (Saguaro Room)
108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix (40th St. & Washington)
Desert Dance Theatre: 480-962-4584 or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org
Cost: Free
Desert Dance Theatre presents a lecture demonstration, performing selections from its current repertory.

February 11-12, 2010 (Thursday 9:45am & 12:15pm, Friday 7:30pm)
Sister Moses: The Story of Harriet Tubman
Higley Center for the Performing Arts
4132 E. Pecos Road, Gilbert, AZ
Desert Dance Theatre: 480-962-4584 or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org
*Thursday School Matinees require reservations. Cost: $4.50 Students, $5 Adults, Two free Chaperone/Teachers per group of 25 Students
*Friday Evening Show: $15 Adult, $12 Senior, $10 Student, Friends of Desert Dance Theatre (DDT), and Arizona Dance Coalition (ADC)
In celebration of African American History Month, Desert Dance Theatre presents “Sister Moses,” a beautiful story of a courageous woman’s determination to free her people from slavery through the Underground Railroad. This powerful dance drama features Desert Dance Theatre with Renee Davis as Harriet Tubman, dramatic narration by Renee Morgan Brooks, African drumming and music direction by Step Raptis, accompaniment by String Sounds and traditional spirituals sung by a choral ensemble featuring baritone soloist, Greg Dansby. “Sister Moses” promises to entertain and enlighten audiences of all ages.

April 2, 2010 (7:00pm)
Phoenix First Friday
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix
Desert Dance Theatre: 480-962-4584 or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org
Cost: Free
Desert Dance Theatre performs selections from its current repertory.

April 2010 (TBA)
Celebration of Dance
Location, Time and Cost: TBA
Desert Dance Theatre performs selections from its current repertory.

May 21-22, 2010 (Time TBA)
Desert Dance Theatre Final Season Performance
Joint Concert with Moving Arts Dance
Tempe Center for the Arts – Studio
700 West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ
Desert Dance Theatre: 480-962-4584 or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org
TCA Box Office: 480-350-2822 or www.tempe.gov/tca
Cost: TBD
Desert Dance Theatre and Moving Arts Dance combine forces to premiere new dance works.
Check for updates at 480-962-4584 or LRChow@cox.net or www.DesertDanceTheatre.org.

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A decade full of Stars
Ballet Arizona prepares Ballet Under the Stars '08
Ballet Arizona's Ballet Under the Stars
Sep. 1820, Sep. 2527 All performances begin at 7 pm.
FREE ADMISSION
www.balletaz.org

In April 1998, Ballet Arizona offered its first Ballet Under the Stars: a week of free community performances in local parks. The ads read, "Bring your Blankets, Beverages, and Babies to the Ballet!" A decade later, Ballet Under the Stars encompasses two weeks of family-friendly performances in venues all around the Valley. Five communities, five beautiful parks, and one vibrant and growing college campus will help raise the curtain on Ballet Arizona's 23rd season as the state's premier dance company.

Returning to the schedule after record crowds last season are Sahuaro Ranch Park (Glendale), Red Mountain Park (Mesa), Fountain Park (Fountain Hills), the Tempe Center for the Arts Amphitheatre, and Phoenix' own Steele Indian School Park. Joining these five will be South Mountain Community College, marking the first time in its 10-year history Ballet Under the Stars has visited a local college campus.

Also returning to manage master-of-ceremonies duties will be some of the classical music announcing staff from KBAQ-FM 89.5, "Your classical companion."

Last fall, 10,000 Valley residents came out to the parks for Ballet Under the Stars, and many of them made a point of coming early. There were blankets and bicycles, picnic baskets and coolers, Frisbees and footballs, lots of children, and lots of fun.

The show at Steele Indian School Park, from set-up through performance, became the subject of a 30-minute program on the PHX-11 cable TV station. And one official from another venue said, "Bravo! It was a wonderful evening. We heard only positive comments from citizens and our community leaders."

"These Ballet Under the Stars performances are one way we carry out Ballet Arizona¹s mission," says Marketing Director Heather Hudak. "We're dedicated both to celebrating classical dance and creating innovative, new works. But we're also committed to sharing the art of dance throughout the Valley. With the hospitality of these parks and communities, we're able to share our art with more than 10,000 of our neighbors every year."

Ballet Under the Stars is offered with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, US Bank, the Scottsdale League for the Arts, KBAQ and KJZZ, The Arizona Republic, The Town of Fountain Hills, The City of Glendale, and The City of Tempe.
Media representatives: You can download images at mediaBAZaar.blogspot.com . Video shoots and interviews are easily arranged: 602.343.6517, or eketcherside@balletaz.org

Review:

“Rent” is not for everybody. But it is for you, it’s a delight. The National Touring Company of “Rent” opened at Sun City’s Maricopa County Events Center (Sundome) Saturday May 10^th with a mixed audience containing “Rent Heads” who follow the production and cheer heartily. And there were a few seniors not ready for the operetta based on "La Boheme" that so openly addresses AIDS and homosexuality, who walked out after the first act. (Or maybe the theatre temperature was too cold, or they couldn’t hear the words, as was told to this reviewer.)

"American Idol" finalist Anwar Robinson and South African "Idol" winner Heinz Winckler are making their theatrical debuts in the show were outstanding. And Jennifer Talton, who brings the show's Mimi to life with an incredible voice that fills the theatre with emotion is wonderful.

Rent ran on Broadway for over a decade. The National Tour has been on the road and their schedule can be found at http://www.siteforrent.com/tourschedule . Only 4 shows in Phoenix. We have what we call 'Rent heads' who follow the show; we have some really loyal fans and it's great to see those familiar faces," said Talton.

This cast does a phenomenal job of singing a challenging script with some extreme choreography. How they can still sing with all of that dance and gymnastics is amazing. And they sing very well. So if you get the opportunity check it out!

The Theatrical Experience that Changed Broadway Forever
Featuring South African Idol Winner Heinz Winckler and American Idol
Finalist Anwar Robinson in the National Tour of RENT
The 2007-2008 national touring production of RENT features Heinz Winckler as Roger Davis and Anwar Robinson as Tom Collins. The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical RENT, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, is coming to the Maricopa County Events Center, 19403 RH Johnson Blvd in Sun City West for four performances, Saturday May 10^th at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Sunday May 11^th at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets for all performances will go on sale Sunday March 30th at 10:00 am. Tickets are $30, $40 and $50 and may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 480-784-4444. Tickets will also be available at the Maricopa County Events Center Box Office, Tue.- Sat. 10 am – 4 pm. For group sales, call 480-218-9332.

Winckler was the winner of the first South African Idol in 2002 and the 4^th place finalist in the 2003 inaugural World Idol competition, in which he competed against American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. Robinson was the 7^th place finalist on the 4^th season of American Idol.

On stage, Winckler played Tony in the Toronto production of West Side Story. Winckler has recorded three hit albums with Sony BMG, including: One Step Closer, Come Alive (both South African Music Award “SAMA” nominees for “best pop album”) and Moment of Truth. His song, “Once in a Lifetime,” was a “SAMA” nominee for “best single.” He performed the song “Chasing Shadows” for the Walt Disney movie, Treasure Planet, and participated in the Westlife Greatest Hits Tour in South Africa. Winckler has received the People Magazine Award for “Hottest Hunk,” “South Africa’s Hottest Artist” and “Best Male Personality.” He was also featured in Cosmopolitan’s “Sexy Man Calendar.”

Robinson will make his stage debut in this touring production of RENT. American audiences will recall Robinson as the Music Teacher who was rocketed to television stardom on season four of the pop-culture phenomenon American Idol. His vocal range quickly landed him a coveted spot in Idol’s Top 10, where Judge Paula Abdul touted him as “technically the best singer of the competition.” Robinson has toured the country as part of the Idols Live show. The New Jersey native has worked and appeared with a number of music icons, including Clive Davis, Patti Labelle, Kelly Price, Byron Cage and Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Robinson recently released his debut album, The Truth About Love.

Critics have called RENT “the best thing that has happened to the Broadway musical in a long time,” and have said that RENT “justifies every bit of attention that has been lavished on this phenomenal musical.” “It shimmers with hope for the future of the American musical.” The New York Times. RENT is the theatrical experience that transformed how a generation feels about musicals, changed Broadway forever, and inspired a major motion picture. Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about being young and learning to survive, falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. RENT has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates.

The show received its world premiere off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop on February 13, 1996 to ecstatic reviews. It rapidly became a sold-out hit. The show transferred to Broadway on April 29, 1996 where it continues to play at The Nederlander Theatre. RENT is now the 7^th longest running show in Broadway history. The success of RENT is always tempered by the death of its creator, Jonathan Larson. Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on the morning of January 25, 1996, just hours after Rent’s final dress rehearsal off-Broadway, and ten days before his 36th birthday.

RENT features musical direction by Tim Weil, choreography by Marlies Yearby, set design by Paul Clay, costume design by Angela Wendt and lighting design by Blake Burba.

The 2007/08 Broadway on the Boulevard Series is sponsored by

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Review of Ballet Arizona The Nutcracker

By LeeAnn Sharpe

It has been a holiday tradition to go see the Nutcracker. So year after year I go and enjoy it immensely. This year was extra special. I was privileged to introduce my niece Stephanie to her first ballet and what is more perfect for a young girl than the Nutcracker.

Opening night was cold and rain made driving treacherous. Downtown traffic was in gridlock as every venue seemed to have major events. Parking seemed impossible and we found what may have been the last parking spot in the city! The downtown was sparkling with colors and lights reflected in the rain, limos and cabs unloaded gloriously garbed men and women along with young boys and girls in party dresses and suits. Umbrellas bumped as the crowds moved briskly to various destinations. Honks and traffic cops whistles above the traffic noise completed the picture of a big city at full throttle. You could as easily been in London or New York. Phoenix has truly become a big city, although perhaps on a smaller scale.

But the scale of this production of the Nutcracker is anything but small. A spectacular world is created with such beauty and imagination it brings tears to the eye. The mastery of design and execution is flawless. From director to dancers this production is the finest that can be found anywhere in the world.

Ib Andersen has once again chosen a team of top designers from throughout the theater world to create a magical, grand-scale Nutcracker exploding with holiday charm and wonder. Choreographed by Ib Andersen , Set Design by Carey Wong and Ib Andersen, Costume Design by Fabio Toblini, and Lighting Design by Michael Korsch, the best found anywhere.

The lavish new sets and magnificent costumes from around the world make this magical holiday event such a joy. And the talent of these dancers is so incredible to watch. The leaps and lifts and twirls make your head spin.

The costumes of Herr and Frau von Stahlbaum and their children, Clara and Fritz and their party guests are more realistic of German families of the era. They provide a stronger contrast with the colorful costumes of Clara’s dreams. There are 260 costumes in The Nutcracker, requiring more than 6,500 yards of fabric. The costumes were created in 17 shops across America, including Ballet Arizona’s, with final assembly by Ballet Arizona’s costume shop personnel. During the run of the show Ballet Arizona dancers will use up to 300 pairs of pointe shoes. Most pairs of shoes last one performance. The budget for pointe shoes for December alone is $45,000.

The set design and transformation as the Christmas tree grows gigantic and the furniture disappears, leaving a huge, empty room that will soon become a battleground for an army of toy soldiers is magical. More than 100,000 Austrian Swarovski crystals were used to create the Snow scene. The production uses 25 different backdrops.

My niece gasped and then giggled as all the mice in the house have grown to enormous size. Costume designer Toblini didn’t want the mice to be too cute, so he modeled them after New York City subway rats. The Mouse King is 9 feet tall without his crown.

When the Nutcracker is revealed to be a prince who gives Clara a crown, the fantasy of every young girl is born. The Snow Queen and King and a magical journey to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy plant the seed of beautiful dreams. The dancers among the falling snow and twinkling stars transport you to a place where you wonder am I dreaming or is this real?

As always the music of the Phoenix Symphony is perfect. I was shocked to learn my niece’s elementary school’s limited music program does not teach Tchaikovsky, but they do learn rap and hip hop. That’s all the more reason to expose the next generation to as much classical music as possible.

Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker cost $1.8 million to create, involving more than 300 people. The production was made possible with a $1.3 million grant from the Sybil B. Harrington Trust. Revenue from The Nutcracker accounts for 30 percent of Ballet Arizona’s annual income with ticket sales of more than 50,000 seats.

Once again Ballet Arizona has brought talent and inspiration to create a production of such beauty it will stay in your heart forever. To this day I can recall the Nutcrackers I saw as a child, and this one seems to have grown to a much more sophisticated and beautiful place. You really must see this exquisite ballet. It will fill your soul with the magic and beauty that should be Christmas.