AUG 14 | In-Person & Livestreamed
From Mexican folklorico to percussive dance, enjoy a night a free performances by six diverse companies. The program features Dancing Wheels, an integrated company of professional disabled and non-disabled dancers, thrilling choreography from Romania, and celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Vanaver Caravan.
Thank you to our independent Curatorial Panel for selecting these wonderful companies. See detailed program info below.
In-person: 7pm EDT at Robert F. Wagner Park. Click here for directions.
Livestream: https://youtu.be/uiok6QQvhT8
The video will be available to watch for 10 days after the premiere and will expire on Aug 24th.
Register for free to receive the livestream link and bonus content
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Program
THE DANCING WHEELS COMPANY
Unconquered Warriors
Nai-Ni Chen employs kung-fu fans and martial arts elements in “Unconquered Warriors”, her piece based on a Chinese legend about a warrior who spins a loop called the magical wheel of the wind and fire.
About the Company
Under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Mary Verdi-Fletcher, The Dancing Wheels Company is recognized as the first and foremost professional physically integrated dance company in America uniting the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities. With a repertory of over 75 works from nationally-esteemed choreographers and a message of inclusion and accessibility, the Company continually expands the reach of artistic possibilities while celebrating the universal spirit of dance.
BALLET NEPANTLA
Let Down & Huasteca Suite | World Premiere
Let Down, a world premiere, is the story of a lost love that confronts gender normative dancing, while providing representation for queer females in dance. Huasteca Suite is an excerpt of Ballet Nepantla’s “Valentina.”
About the Company
Through a fusion of Mexican folk and contemporary ballet, Ballet Nepantla explores the “in-between” spaces of trans-historical cultures, and communicates the narrative of living in the middle of physical and metaphorical spaces. Andrea Guajardo, born and raised in South Texas, moved to NYC at 17 to study at The Ailey School. In 2013, she graduated from The Ailey School and Fordham with a BFA in dance. Andrea then joined Momix under the direction of Moses Pendleton and in 2017 founded Ballet Nepantla alongside co-founder Martin Rodriguez.
LINOTIP
Diagonal & Cain | World Premiere
The duet Diagonal is inspired by the famous Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuși, one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th-century; a moment captured in the performance from his period in the Parisian atelier, where the artist lived, created and loved. Cain explores the story of Cain and Abel, the first contradiction of humanity. These pieces were created in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute.
About the Company
Arcadie Rusu is a choreographer, movement director, dancer and manager at Linotip Independent Choreography Centre in Bucharest, Romania. He holds a Choreography Degree from the “Ion Luca Caragiale” National University of Theatre and Film Arts, where his show “Mind Control” won the award for Best Performance Graduation Gala. Arcadie was awarded the danceWEB scholarship at ImPulsTanz, Vienna International Dance Festival. He was awarded the “Attic Arts” Residency at the Romanian Cultural Institute, London, and participated in the Cultural Olympics with three projects in partnership with the English National Ballet.
GAUDANSE
Nanibu | NYC Premiere
“Nanibu” investigates what it means to be royalty through imagery and movement. The choreography uses bird-like movement along with the feelings attached to colors to create the idea of a queen. Choreographer Imani Gaudin returns to Battery Dance Festival after performing as part of the 2021 Young Voices in Dance Program.
About the Company
Gaudanse, inc. is a platform for ardent independent thought leaders. The grail of the organization is to investigate movement languages in order to create works that instigate a broad range of meaningful and thought provoking matters that strike humanity from the micro to the macro level.
PERIDANCE CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY
Just Above the Surface, Excerpt
Created as part of a residency program commissioned by Western Michigan University, this piece explores the electric connection of human interaction—the sensations that pull people together or apart. Conceptually rooted in Yin Yue’s FoCo technique, which fuses movement from both Chinese folk and contemporary dance, the work communicates non-traditional narratives atop a buzzing and complex musical undercurrent by Michel Banabila, Shifted, Machinefabriek, and Metamorphoses.
About the Company
New York City’s Peridance Contemporary Dance Company (PCDC), led by Founder and Artistic Director Igal Perry and based in Union Square, has been a powerhouse of expressive and innovative dance since 1983. The Company has held NY seasons at venues including the Joyce Theater, BAM, the Kaye Playhouse, the John Jay Theater, and the KnJ Theater at Peridance, commissioning over 75 new dance works. PCDC has toured extensively in the United States and overseas, offering engaging dance performances and educational classes.
THE VANAVER CARAVAN
Vanaver Caravan Retrospective
In celebration of The Vanaver Caravan’s 50th year anniversary of their first performance in 1972, they present excerpts from their legacy of innovative world dance and The Vanaver Caravan is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of their first concert (in NYC May 1972). Tonight they will be performing selections from their signature percussive dance repertoire from Pastures of Plenty: Tribute to Woody Guthrie
About the Company For the past 49 years, Livia Vanaver has been traveling throughout the U.S., and abroad with her musician/composer husband Bill Vanaver, and company of extraordinary dancers and musicians, collecting and performing traditional dance and music from many cultures. She has been on the cutting edge of Arts Education programs. A leading authority on dance education, she has pioneered the teaching of world dance styles and Global Citizenry in schools.