Vissi Dance Theater

8:30-8:50pm

The Vissi Dance Theater was founded in 1997 by dancer, choreographer Courtney Ffrench. Vissi dancers hale from all over the world and bring with them their cultural diversity and unique perspective on artistry. There is a special interest in bringing out the actor in the dancer as well as the dancer in the actor. The VISSI style of dance can be described as Urban Contemporary; a spirited combination of all forms including but not limited to Jazz, Modern (Dunham), West African, Funk, House and Ballet.

Title of work: Scorned excerpt from House of the Rising Sun and Can You Dance to the Get Down

Choreography by: Courtney Ffrench

Description of work:
Our dance will be a spirited combination of contemporary jazz/house sprinkled with a light sauce of ballet.

Contact info/Website:
vissi@earthlink.net
www.vissidancetheater.com

Suzana Stankovic

8:50-9:10pm

“I was born to inspire the world to reconnect with the human heart and spirit. No matter how closed off and numb someone in the audience might be, I know that I can touch them deeply and awaken their soul through the truth and power of my performance. My work is intended to disarm, inspire and illumine the glory of this human experience because if we lose our basic humanity we’ve lost everything.”
– Suzana Stankovic, Independent Dance-Theatre Artist

Title of work: N/A

Choreography by: Suzana Stankovic

Description of work:
Daring, passionate, fierce and transcendent.

Contact info/Website:
iamsuzana@yahoo.com
www.iamsuzana.com

Kim Gibilisco Dances

9:10-9:30pm

Kim Gibilisco Dances is a contemporary modern dance company. Ms. Gibilisco strives to create dances that communicate the intimate and often untold stories of the soul. The inspirations for her dances range from her own personal experiences to the work of artists such as sculptor Auguste Rodin. Ms. Gibilisco explores and defines relationships from several different points of view through solo, duet and group forms. She highlights the technical virtuosity of each dancer and honors their unique qualities by creating “signature phrases” for each of them.

Title of work: RETURN and TELLING…

Choreography by: Kim Gibilisco

Description of work:
RETURN: Duet performed by Christina Shumway and Shane Simpson
TELLING: Performed by Nancy Andrews and Kim Gibilisco

Contact info/Website:
kim@kgdances.org
www.kgdances.org

The Francesca Harper Project

9:30-9:50pm

Francesca Harper blends original choreography, dance, music and film to create
groundbreaking works that are category-defying. Harper was raised in New York City, where she studied at the School of American Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet School, The Ailey School, and under Madame Darvash and Barbara Walczak. After performing with the Dance Theater of Harlem, she danced as a principal in William Forsythe’s Ballett Frankfurt from 1994-1999. Since returning to the States in 2000, Harper has performed in several Broadway productions including Fosse, The Producers, The Frogs and The Color Purple. She most recently played Helene, a Principal Role, opposite Molly Ringwald in a national tour of Sweet Charity.

Title of work: Modo Fusion

Choreography by: Francesca Harper

Description of work:
Modo Fusion is a hybrid performance featuring dance, original music and filmwork by Francesca Harper that deconstruct popular themes and explore contemporary social issues.

Contact info/Website:
thefrancescaharperproject@gmail.com
www.thefrancescaharperproject.org

Synthesis Dance Project

9:50-10:10pm

Synthesis Dance Project’s repertoire is as diverse as it is entertaining. Firmly grounded in classical technique and pulling from jazz and contemporary styles of movement, the company challenges the boundaries of concert dance while respecting the integrity inherent in all dance forms.Primary among the company’s mission is the personal connection between emotion and movement.

Title of work: UnRavel and For Liars, For Sages and For Those Who Are New (excerpt)

Choreography by: Tracie Stanfield

Description of work:
With precision and contemplation, “Overture and Underscore’s” several sections subvert the traditional ballet vocabulary while maintaining its celebration of strength, passion and grace.

Contact info/Website:

SDPCompany@aol.com

Info@SynthesisDanceProject.com
www.SynthesisDanceProject.com

Octavia Cup Dance Theatre

10:10-10:30pm

Laura Ward/Octavia Cup Dance Theatre is a contemporary ballet company driven by the emotional and physical strength and resilience of the “weaker sex.” The choreography pushes beyond conventional expectations while teasing forth the darker shadow side of humanity as it pulses beneath the surface, drawing it out and shedding light on the territory between motion and motivation. The work reverberates on many levels echoing the consciousness of the viewer, providing drama and resonance while reaching into the secret soul spaces that thrum beneath the sensuous assault of daily life.

Title of work:Whistle Me Higher: Imaginary Dances from Bingo Palace

Choreography by: Laura Ward

Description of work:Whistle Me Higher: Imaginary Dances from Bingo Palace is a trip down the rabbit hole into the American dream on acid.

Contact info/Website:
octaviacup@yahoo.com
www.octaviacup.org , www.youtube.com/octaviacup