artistic directors jamey hampton + ashley roland
A FREE INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY CELEBRATION
(Portland, Oregon) In celebration of International Dance Day and National Dance week, BodyVox opens the doors of it's NW Portland Dance Center on April 29 for a free community celebration: Ballroom Night at BodyVox. This evening of social dance will include lessons in Merengue (7PM) and East Coast Swing (9pm) taught by local ballroom expert Austin Buchholtz. "If you can walk, you can Merengue" states Buchholtz, "I specialize in working with beginners and the two mini classes are intended to serve as a quick orientation, we'll go over the basic elements of the dances and then have fun."
Admission for the full evening is free, but attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to the BodyVox student fund. This fund will subsidize BodyVox Class enrollment fees for low-income children. BodyVox offers a range of dance classes and camps for children ages 14 months to 12 years. BodyVox children's classes include a strong foundation in ballet and modern technique, versatility, flexibility in movement, improvisational skills, gymnastics, partnering, a commitment to performance and most importantly curiosity and joy in life, art and dance.
Established in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Dance Day occurs annually on April 29. The stated intent is to celebrate Dance, to revel in this art form, to cross political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together through Dance. In US this celebration falls within National Dance week (April 22-May 1) dedicated to celebrating the beauty of dance and its ability to enrich our lives, our bodies, our spirits, and our culture.
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Media contact: Una Loughran, (503) 229-0627
About the company: Based in Portland, Oregon, BodyVox's movement surges from a source informed by years of cross training imbued with a curiosity and fascination with the endless possibilities of the human body in motion. Artistic Directors Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland are distinguished artists on the world stage, formed by their years working as creators and performers with innovative dance companies Momix, ISO Dance, and Pilobolus. BodyVox builds upon this tradition of excellence with a unique voice that is clearly influenced by its Northwest roots. Created in 1997 to fulfill a commission from Portland Opera, the company has since created eleven original shows (including three operas), and toured across the U.S. to critical acclaim. Adding to its full-evening shows and repertory pieces, BodyVox's films have won numerous awards in national and international festivals. "Modern Daydreams" - composed of "Treadmill Softly," "Islands in the Sky," Unleashed" and "Deere John" - won the prestigious American Choreography Award for Outstanding Achievement in Short film in 2002. Most recently the company's film "Advance" won the Audience Choice Award at Dance Camera West.
FACT SHEET
WHAT: Ballroom Night at BodyVox
WHO: BodyVox
Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland, co-artistic directors
WHERE: BodyVox Dance Center 1201 NW 17th Avenue, Portland, OR
WHEN: April 29, 2011 7pm-10p
ADMISSION: Free
Donations to the BodyVox Student Fund will be accepted
www.bodyvox.com
503.229.0627
PRESS: Una Loughran
503.229.0627