Dances We Dance (DWD), a non-profit New York-based dance company, is presenting its first self-produced season on June 3-5, 2022, at the Theater at St. Jeans in New York City. DWD is a small, dedicated team of dancers whose passion will bring to life the repertory works of Isadora Duncan and new choreography by Catherine Gallant and Francesca Todesco.
As you may know, it is always challenging to financially sustain a small dance company, with hours of unpaid work and dedication behind the scenes. So why are we doing it? What drives us to spend hours in a dance studio creating and learning dances, searching and exploring music and movement? There is no single answer; it's a passion-driven force and way of life that continuously thrusts us into fulfilling our creative needs.
In this premiere season, Artistic Director Francesca Todesco recreates three sections of Reflets d'Allemagne, the rarely seen work by Isadora Duncan set to music by French composer Florent Schmitt, who wrote 8 musical vignettes after traveling through Europe in the early twentieth century. Ms. Todesco chose three additional sections to choreograph, maintaining some of Duncan's principles combined with her ideas. These piano sections, arranged for 4-hands, are vigorously played by DWD musical director Nathaniel LaNasa and Isidora Vladic. Additional Duncan works will include the compelling and timeless Scriabin Études, choreographed by Ms. Duncan between 1921-23 with themes of struggle, loss and hope, and splendidly played by Mr. LaNasa.
Late Echo, a commissioned new work for five dancers, gleans movement from a gyre of gestures and stances found in everyday existence on the street, in print, online media and public transit. Choreographer Catherine Gallant extracts and abstracts this mix housed within the plush atmosphere of composer James Ra's Evocation for cello and piano. The program presents three additional new works by Ms. Todesco, two solos for women and a group piece set to the music of Astor Piazzolla (100th Birthday was in 2021). Ms. Todesco’s goal in this first season is to present a versatile ensemble that is being trained to be the next generation of Duncan dancers and adaptable to learning and performing a variety of movements, styles and genres.
Ms. Todesco values the art of movement as much as the world of music. She aims to bring the audience the experience of live music and dance: this year featuring Nathaniel LaNasa (piano), Isidora Vladic (piano) and cellist Kirsten Jermé. The path to creation is long, challenging, but extremely rewarding; you can be part of this creative process by supporting our dancers and musicians. As we learned in the past couple of years, we all need each other to function at our best.
PLEASE HELP US RAISE FUNDS TO PROVIDE PAYMENT FOR THESE DEDICATED ARTISTS.
Any donation will help make an impact and is deeply appreciated.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION
If you are in New York June 3-5, see us at:
The Theatre at St. Jeans
150 76th Street (at Lexington Ave)
New York, NY 10021
Friday, June 3, 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 4, 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 5, 3:00 pm
Check out our website
*Dances We Dance is a non-profit art organization; your contribution is tax-deductible
If you prefer sending a check, please send an email info@danceswedance.org
A BIG THANK YOU!
from all of us
Francesca
Catherine
Kathleen
Colleen
Rosy
Margherita
Amelia
Rebecca
Nathaniel
Isidora
Kirsten
Image: Alex Gamma @lightreat