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“Enduring Spirit – dance of
two nations” is a cross-cultural
dance event which interweaves
pow-wow dancers and
modern dancers in a tale spanning
four centuries of contact
between Native Americans
and Europeans. The resulting
rich tapestry of American history
combines dance with
talks by native elders who
address the legacy of dance
within their culture. The piece
was performed before native
and non-native communities
in Washington and Idaho. |
 |
Directed by dancer Leah
Smiley Tubbs of Van Nuys, CA,
Project S.O.L.E. is an afterschool
program that introduces
girls 7-16 to ballet, modern
dance, dance history and music
appreciation. Designed to offset
the negative influences
young girls are exposed to in
the media, these free classes
for girls of low-income families
provide positive reinforcement
and an exposure to the artistic
discipline of dance. |
| “Palenque” a dance piece presented at the La Mama Moves Dance
Festival, is a combination of folkloric and contemporary movement
that expresses
through dance
and song the challenges
faced by the
Cuban community,
Cuba’s history of
slavery, and the cultural
differences of
the island nation.
This work was created
for the Afro-
Cuban Folklore
Dance Ensemble,
Oyo Oro by artistic
director and choreographer La Mora Danys Perez. “Palenque”
contains a social message that brings an awareness of Cuban life
to audiences rarely exposed to the culture. |
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| These are only some highlights of the Dance grants given in
2007. |
