May 23, 2019

DANCECleveland Presents 3rd Annual Summer Dance Festival July 23-August 10, 2019 Featuring Two Renowned Dance Companies, Special Events, Local Dance Student Showcase, Free Dance Classes & ADF Faculty Lead Dance Workshop Series DANCECleveland Launches AD

DANCECleveland Presents 3rd Annual Summer Dance Festival

July 23-August 10, 2019

Featuring Two Renowned Dance Companies, Special Events, Local Dance Student Showcase, Free Dance Classes & ADF Faculty Lead Dance Workshop Series

DANCECleveland Launches ADF in CLE

CLEVELAND (May 23, 2019) –Northeast Ohio’s premiere dance presenter, DANCECleveland, is proud to bring back its third-annual summer dance festival in Cleveland and offers exciting dance experiences for everyone ranging from novices to dance aficionados. Partnering with the renowned, American Dance Festival (ADF), the ten-day festival ADF in CLE, will include performances by two world-class dance companies, an educational workshop series for advanced level dancers which will be taught by ADF faculty, free community events & classes on the National Day of Dance that will close down E. 14th St. and fill it with dance, as well as special events and activities throughout the week.

Dance lovers of all ages and abilities can celebrate the National Day of Dance on July 27th at Playhouse Square. The day will consist of a full array of free special events including 14 free community dance classes ranging from African drum and dance to social dances to today, Zumba and more starting at 10 am until 4 pm, a free giant ‘mega-barre’ class right down the middle of E. 14th Street at 3 pm, a Dance Student Showcase of amazing student talent on the stage in the Allen Theatre at 4:30 pm and a silent disco party at 9 pm on U.S. Bank Plaza. More information about the free events and the full schedule can be found at DANCECleveland.org.

The highlight of the day will be the Cleveland debut of Philadelphia-based BalletX with a mixed-repertoire performance at 7:30 p.m in the Ohio Theatre. The darlings of the Vail International Dance Festival, BalletX has grown since their founding in 2005 into a highly applauded contemporary ballet company known for their athleticism, emotion, and grace while challenging the boundaries of classical ballet. The company will perform three pieces by some of the most exciting choreographers creating work today that showcase their versatility. “Steep Drop, Euphoric” choreographed by Nicolo Fonte premiered this past March 2019 and exudes sophistication and grace, while “Express” choreographed by hip-hop choreographer Lil Buck (a Memphis jookin star) shows off the fun, playful side of the company. Last on the program, Mathew Neenan’s “The Last Glass” radiates the magical mastery of creativity that the company has achieved since his co-founding. The company is now lead by Artistic & Executive Director, Christine Cox. DANCECleveland previously presented BalletX in Akron in 2013.

“BalletX dancers are among America’s best”- The New York Times

Closing the festival on August 10 with two performances at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm, Malpaso will bring the heat of Cuba to the Allen Theatre with a mixed repertoire program sure to please! Since its establishment in 2012, Malpaso has already become one of the most sought after Cuban dance companies with a growing international profile. For their return to Cleveland, the company will perform three pieces. Audiences first got to see the creative process and beginning stages of “Face The Torrent” when choreographer Sonya Tayeh was in Cleveland during the Cleveland State University Aha Festival in 2017. The informal showing gave an up-close look at her choreographic process, and now the finished product will take the stage. The second piece on the program, “Being (Ser)”, was choreographed by company member, Beatriz García, and the third and final piece of the program, “Tabula Rasa” was created in 1986 by Israeli choreographer, Ohad Naharin. DANCECleveland has previously presented Malspaso Dance Company in 2016 & 2017.

Malpaso's aim is to bring 'Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st century.' Clearly, they have already arrived." - Adrienne Totino, Pittsburgh Examiner

Performance Tickets and Registration: Tickets for festival performances start as low as $20 and are available online at dancecleveland.org and by phone by calling 216-241-6000. For those who want to see both performances during the festival, the Festival Pass (2-pack) gives pass holders the ability to see both shows at a discounted price and offers special perks such as prime seating and special event access during the festival. Festival Passes start at just $75 and are available by calling 216-241-6000 or visiting dancecleveland.org.

Another important aspect of American Dance Festival (ADF) in CLE is the ability to host a four-day immersive dance workshop series for serious dancers ages 13 and up. Dancers can register to train with ADF faculty which includes Ronald K. Brown, Otto (Aquaboogy) Vazquez, and Justin Tornow. Students will take classes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in styles including modern, contemporary, hip hop, creative process and repertory classes. The ADF Workshop Series will run from July 23 through July 26, and takes place at Cleveland State University’s Arts Campus, in the Middough Building located at 1901 East 13th St. Cleveland, OH 44114. The Registration Fee is $360 and includes all classes, performance tickets for BalletX and more. Housing and food are not included; however out of–town dancers can contact DANCECleveland for housing options at Cleveland State University. To apply, interested applicants should fill out and return the application form with payment to DANCECleveland. In addition, applicants should include a résumé of their dance training, education, and professional experience. More info can be obtained by emailing katie@dancecleveland.org or calling 216-991-9000. Registration can be downloaded at www.DANCECleveland.org

For more information on the dance companies, visit:

https://www.balletx.org/

https://www.malpasodance.com/

National Dance Day Full Schedule of Activities:

For more information on DANCECleveland’s presenting partners and collaborators, visit:

http://www.americandancefestival.org/

www.playhousesquare.org

http://www.csuohio.edu/class/theatre-dance/theatre-dance

ELECTRONIC PHOTOS AVAILABLE FROM SARAH HRICKO AT 216-991-9000 OR EMAIL: sarah@dancecleveland.org.

DANCECleveland, a Cleveland, Ohio based non-profit, is one of a handful of presenters in the nation that is dedicated solely to the presentation of modern and contemporary dance. The centerpiece of the organization’s programming is its annual performance series. The performances are surrounded by an array of educational outreach events including artist-run master classes, residency programs, student matinees, pre-performance lectures and post-performance Q&A sessions, designed both to break artistic boundaries and provide community access to the dance aesthetic and dance luminaries that DANCECleveland brings to Northeast Ohio.

The ADF in CLE Festival is generously funded by The Cleveland Foundation.

DANCECleveland is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

The Ohio Arts Council helped fund DANCECleveland with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

###