Ordway

Bridgman/Packer Dance
October 13, 2010  |  Grades 6-12

Exploring identity and human relationships through the blending of film, dance and video projection, Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer are known for their innovative choreography and integration of technology into performance. Using live and pre-recorded video, Bridgman/Packer Dance magically populates the stage with images of themselves, creating a performance space where the live and virtual collide.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Tiempo Libre
November 16 & 17, 2010  |  Grades 2-8

Tiempo Libre will have you dancing in your seats to timba music, an irresistible dance mix of Latin Jazz and the rhythms of traditional Cuban son played using timbales, piano, keyboard, bongos, cowbell, saxophone, trumpet, bass, congas and many other instruments. On a mission to share their musical heritage, members of Tiempo Libre reinvigorate traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound, forging a new style born from the meeting of their Cuban roots and their new American experience.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Contra-Tiempo
November 18 & 19, 2010  |  Grades 4-12

Dedicated to transforming the world through dance, the social activist dance company CONTRA-TIEMPO takes Latin social dance to new heights by infusing elements of Salsa, Afro-Cuban, hip-hop and contemporary dance theater in physically intense and energizing performances. Dancing to salsa music and poetry, the company explores identity, immigration and pop culture through movement.

Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010

Angélique Kidjo
January 20, 2011  |  Grades 4-12

Angélique Kidjo is an Afro-pop star who has a style all her own, never limited by genre expectations. Growing up in Benin, Ms. Kidjo not only heard African music, but was inspired by American soul, funk, jazz, and Indian Bollywood. They all influenced the unique style of music that she creates and applies to songs she learned from Miriam Makeba, Aretha Franklin and Curtis Mayfield. Through her music, life and exuberant commitment to advocacy, Ms. Kidjo exemplifies unity and peace.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience
February 14, 15 & 16, 2011  |  Grades K-6

Travel to Louisiana with Grammy award winning artist Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience as they share Creole culture and history through Zydeco music. The Creoles of Southern Louisiana are a blend of African, French, Spanish and Native American people. Playing the accordion, rubboard, drums, keyboard and guitar, Mr. Simien and his band take you on a multicultural musical tour that will have you up and dancing!

Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

BeijingDance/LDTX
April 6 & 7, 2011  |  Grades 6-12

Born out of a controversial time of cultural change in China, BeijingDance/LDTX became China’s first professional dance company founded independently from government. Artistic Director Willy Tsao, one of China’s foremost pioneers of modern dance, introduces the political and cultural context of contemporary choreography in China through two pieces. The Cold Dagger, based on the Chinese chess game GO, includes a contemporary version of ribbon dancing as well martial arts-inspired choreography. All River Red is the company’s version of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011

TU Dance
May 4 & 5, 2011  |  Grades 4-12

Led by Alvin Ailey veterans Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, TU Dance’s work aims to reveal the connective power of dance, celebrating a beautiful diversity on stage. Inspired by the depictions of urban life and dance in the paintings of African American artist Ernie Barnes, choreographer Uri Sands brings Barnes’ work from the canvas to the stage using contemporary and modern forms of movement in this commissioned World Premiere supported in part by a Joyce Award from the Joyce Foundation.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011

Shangilia Youth Choir of Kenya with JD Steele
June 1-4, 2010  |  Grades K-8

Shangilia is a youth performance group from Nairobi, Kenya under the direction of singer/director/composer J.D. Steele. Ranging in age from ten to twenty-one, the performers sing in English and Swahili with original music composed by Mr. Steele and Butch Heyward that blends African American soul and gospel with East African rhythms like soukous and bongo. Shangilia also incorporates traditional African music and dance with acrobatics and colorful costumes, weaving messages of love, peace and harmony into this exciting musical presentation. shangilia.org

Classroom Connections: Geography, Music, Social Studies, World Language.

Ordway Main Hall

Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia: Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny
June 1-4, 2010  |  Grades PreK-2

Using puppetry, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia brings to life Margret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s classic tales of two rabbits. In Goodnight Moon, Rabbit prepares or postpones going to bed by saying goodnight to everything in its room and imagination. In The Runaway Bunny, Bunny makes the decision to run away, which turns into an imaginative journey in which Bunny’s mother always finds a way of bringing Bunny back home. mermaidtheatre.ns.ca

Classroom Connections: Language Arts, Puppetry, Visual Arts.

Ordway McKnight Theatre

Teatro Hugo & Ines: Short Stories
June 2-4, 2010  |  Grades K-4

Peruvian puppeteers Hugo and Ines transform their hands, feet, knees, and belly buttons into a parade of extraordinary characters! In their signature work, Short Stories, Hugo and Ines create imaginative and creative characters that take the audience along for the ride as they explore the dreams, frustrations, successes and failures of everyday life.

Classroom Connections: Language Arts, Puppetry, Visual Arts.

Ordway McKnight Theatre

Photos: ©Eduardo Suarez