Alvin Ailey Celebrates 50 years of Revelations

Alvin Ailey American Dance Center celebrates their 50th anniversary of Revelations. This classic repertoire was choreographed by Ailey himself in the 1960's. During this time his artistic vision marked the beginning of a new era of dance devoted to African Americans. Revelations became the company's signature ballet encompassing a series of spirtuals and gospel selections. Revelations cultivates black religious worship. The selections includes: A group prayer (I've Been Buked), a ceremony of ritual baptisms (Wade in the Water), a solitude moment of communion (I wanna Be Ready), a duet (Fix Me, Jesus) and lastly, the finale piece and gospel exclamation (Rocka My Soul). This piece along with many others established a precedents for American Dance. 


In 1969 Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center School to educate dance students in the history and art of ballet and modern dance. Courses have been offered in dance technique and history, music for dancers, dance composition, and theatrical design.


Ailey stopped dancing in 1965 and slowed his choreographic assignments in the 1970s to attend to the administrative and fund-raising operations associated with his ever expanding company. Upon Ailey's death, Judith Jamison was appointed artistic director. Today, Ailey travels the world and is renowned for one of the most popular dance companies in the country. 


Check out their 2011 North American Tour coming to a city near you. 
http://www.alvinailey.org/calendar/2011-W21#performances=nid-1291,nid-1292,nid-1294,nid-1957,nid-1297,nid-1300


Chicago Auditorium Theater
50 E Congress Pkwy
May 18-22
Prices $30-$87

P31 New Line Dance~WALKING

Hello Dance World!

I am pleased to announce the newest line dance that has hit the streets! P31 WALKING choreographed by Keli Avery and Tyanna McCann to Mary Mary's new song Walking. This hot new track has been topping the charts on 106 n Park and in heavy rotation on the radio. In a city known for creative line dancing or "SLIDES". Two of Chicago's finest decided to create a line dance designed for the women of P31 (Women's ministry of Giant Steps Church) but also something that would globally take gospel music to the streets. This slide is way to bring Christians together in a fun and active environment. After a successful night of line dancing class for P31, this new slide became the talk of the town.  It is fun, eclectic and spiritually connected. People often associate Christians to be boring, holier than thou listening to spiritual hymns. LOL.. Not the case! Truth is today's gospel world has become extremely modern and Christian folks like to have fun too! The choreographers saw this as another catalyst to make Mary Mary more Main Stream. And lets face it, the song is HOT! Choreographer Tyanna stated "This is our way of crossing all lines, all ages and a great way to bring folks together."  Chicago is known for line dances such as the Casper slide, Electric Slide, Juke Slide, Wobble, James Brown, Cupid Shuffle......

Tyanna and Keli are teaching P31 Walking slide to church ministries and line dancing classes around Chicago.  Now featuring the latest and hottest line dance coming to a city near you!!!    

Check out the video!!!!!! 

Posted by: The Dancing Guru

Is Chicago really the Mother of Stepping?

When you hear a little James Brown, Charlie Wilson, Kem... your natural reaction is to get your groove on! We often find ourselves stepping back and forth, snapping our fingers and maybe even do a little dip! It's Natural you just want to step!!

Many just dance but often wonder where did this dance come from?  Is Chi-town the "Mother"of stepping? YES IT IS!!!  In fact if you go to google and type in stepping, Chi-town stepping is what you will often find in the results. As a Chicago native, I definitely would like to say that Chicago is the originator of this eclectic dance style we call stepping. I would like to say that R-Kelly put Chicago on the map with his famous song "Stepping in the Name of Love." However, looooooong before R Kelly, in the 50's, 60's and even 70's Chicago was known for the Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Swing and even Chicago Bop.  Detroit and St. Louis would argue that Chicago is not the mother of stepping. I beg to differ! Detroit is known for a classy, rhythmic style of dancing known as ballroom. Although, ballroom dancing is similar to Stepping it is still very different. Detroit stepping often details more of a walk back and forth, what we would call a bop. They are also known for some great line dances. However, the etiquette of Chicago stepping has a smooth and cool sway side to side.  The dance is often led by the male in which he will streamline his movements to lead his partner. Together their movements are fluid, smooth and defined in each step they take. Choreographed with turns, dips and intricate footwork Chicago steppers learn more than just a dance but a true form of art.

There are many venues across the city where you can pop in for a night of stepping, take lessons, attend workshops and even dance competitions.

Check out Dave Maxx the Dance Doctor at The New Dating Game every Thursday Night. Maxx is the founder of MAK 3 Dance Club and has become one of the nations most well known instructors with over 15 years of experience. He is also one of Chicago's Stepping Pioneers! Learn how to step in the comfort of your home with MAK 3'S new instructional video coming soon!

Instructional Sessions:
The New Dating Game Club
8924 S. Stony Island
Chicago, IL 
$15 per session
Check out his website at www.mak3danceclub.com

Email him if you have questions at dave.maxx@themxgroup.com

Posted by: Keli the Dance Guru

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

This week I would like to highlight Chicago's own Joel Hall Dance Center.  Enriching our community with modern, street dance, ballet and other dance techniques this dance company deserves recognition. Founded by Mr. Joel Hall himself, Joel Hall Dance Center has been around for over 36 years. The noted reputation of their sophistication in the arts has transpired over the years. Offering intensive levels of technique and dance repertoire they continue to grow in mulitculturalism and Urban Arts.  JHDC is open to students of all dance backgrounds and experiences looking to heighten their level of dance pedagogy. Offering various styles of dance including; Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, African, Modern and more... classes are available for men/women, children, teens and and adults.

Due to economic times JHDC offers discounted rates to the unemployed and underdeserved.
Please check out their website to gain more information on classes and workshops.

www.joelhall.org

Address:
5965 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60660
773-293-0900


Posted by: Keli the Dancer

The Buzz of Social Media..... Has it gone to far?

Relationships are key in great dance training!  Children often look up to their instructors as role models, confidantes and friends. Many of our students look forward to seeing you in class and often learning something new. But when has the communication gone to far? What happen when the communication has gone beyond the studio? Should a line be drawn with personal and professional relationships? Having your students involved in your interactive world via Facebook/Twitter may or may not be a good idea. Perhaps it may be deemed inappropriate to be "friends" with your 10 year old student.  So use your judgement wisely! But what about adults? I still suggest that you be mindful in whats communicated and always keep it strictly professional.

I recommend to avoid inappropriate behavior or misleadings. Perhaps if you would like to communicate with your students that you create a company Facebook Page or Twitter account. This will allow you to still communicate company info if needed such as studio hours, upcoming events, updates, and questions or concerns. Your companies credibility is much more important than the downward spiral of a message that was unintentionally miscommunicated ! If you decide to communicate with your students always be mindful of uniformity and content of your message. 

Posted By: Keli The Dancer

Rejuvenate your Rehearsals with Relaxation

As dancers rest is extremely important to rejuvenate our bodies.  We are constantly on the go with work, school, rehearsals, performances and the next upcoming event!  We hardly ever make time to really rest.

Check out this amazing calculator that tells you exactly whats the best time to go to sleep. http://ow.ly/3SvUi // Just type in when you have to get up! It can help you get that good nights rest thats needed to enhance your day.



Posted By: Keli

Upcoming Events

Bento & other dances

Presenting “Bento & other dances,” a program of six works that includes two premieres, on March 17 & 18 at the Hamlin Park Theater. The two premieres, both choreographed by Winifred Haun, will be “Bento,” a group work and “Disquiet,” a solo.

“Bento” is a work for 10 dancers that uses movement to describe the concept of the box, or the sectioned container, within a box. Throughout the past 150 years or so, visual artists such as Joseph Cornell, have created 3-dimensional art objects that are boxes with shelves or boxes within boxes. These sectioned boxes often have objects in them made by others. Bento will explore this concept by incorporating dance phrases made by others (with their permission) with newly made dance phrases, creating dances within a dance.

Check it out! This is a must see event for all artistic, eclectic and intrinsic folks. This performance can be seen on Thursday & Friday, March 17 & 18 at 7:30pm at Hamlin Park Theater, 3035 N. Hoyne (near Damen & Diversey) in Chicago. Street parking is available. Tickets are $20 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased on-line by clicking https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/136614

For more info on Bento visit http://www.WinifredHaun.org

Posted By: Keli