The New “Dance New Jersey Festival”

June 12, 2012

On Saturday, June 23, the New Jersey dance community will come together to celebrate, perform, and network at the Dance New Jersey Festival. The Festival includes classes, workshops and a luncheon meeting, and culminates with a Show Up & Dance performance. Dance New Jersey will also be honoring Paul McRae with the Dance Advocate Award for his years of dedication to the organization and the New Jersey dance community.

“New”

For the past few years, Dance New Jersey held its annual meeting and summer installment of Show Up & Dance on two separate days in July. This year, the organization has combined the two events into one day long celebration of the state’s dance community; the perfect way to share the excitement and excellence of dance here in New Jersey!

Classes and Workshops

The morning begins with “Yoga for Everyone” and continues with Ballet with Pedro Ruiz, a renowned choreographer and dancer with Ballet Hispanico, Simonson Jazz with Lees Hummel, dancer, choreographer and the Education Director at lustigdancetheatre, and Injury Prevention with Dr. Guillem Lomas, an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery who specializes in sports injuries. Afternoon sessions include Igniting the Imagination with Claire Porter, dancer and choreographer of Claire Porter’s Portables, and Broadway Jazz with Chris King from the TV Hit SMASH.

There is truly “something for everyone”!

Dance Advocate Award

Each year, Dance New Jersey honors a member of the dance community with its Dance Advocate Award in recognition of that person’s outstanding contributions to promoting the energy, excitement, and excellence of dance and dance education in New Jersey. This year the honor goes to Paul McRae, Assistant Artistic Director of the New Jersey Ballet, for his dedication as founder, past-president, and board member of Dance New Jersey and his years of dedication to the New Jersey dance community.

Show Up & Dance

The Festival concludes with Show Up & Dance, a showcase of works performed and/or choreographed by members of Dance New Jersey. Performances cover an array of genres and age levels, and will include works by Randy James, Keith Thompson, Claire Porter, and Art of Motion. Show Up & Dance represents all facets of dance in the state, from student to professional, and offers an impressive variety of choreographic styles and artistry.

If you are interested in dance, whether as a dancer, educator, choreographer, or an audience member, don’t miss this opportunity to meet, network, and collaborate with your peers! The Festival celebrates the artistry, talent, passion, and diversity of the entire New Jersey dance community in a welcoming and fun atmosphere.

The Festival will be held at the Mason Gross School of the Arts Dance Studios at Nicholas Music Center and the Victoria J. Mastrobuono Theater on the Douglass Campus of Rutgers University, 85 George Street, New Brunswick. For more information about the events or to register, please contact Macada Brandl at mbrandl[at]dancenj[dot]org or call 908.510.7350.

Macada Brandl is the Executive Director of Dance New Jersey, the premier organization serving dance companies, dancers and choreographers in New Jersey. She is a regular contributor to the Dodge blog.