DCDC turns 50, Dayton Ballet twists ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in 2018-19 season
A special anniversary and a strong assortment of premieres accent the 2018-2019 season in dance.
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s 50th anniversary lineup, appropriately framed within the theme of heritage, encompasses the return of choreographer Keisha Lalama and her romantic exploration of “The Bench: Journey Through Love,” the holiday favorite “The Littlest Angel,” the 31st conference of the International Association of Blacks in Dance, and a Gala Anniversary evening consisting of a concert at the Schuster Center followed by the annual “Soulstice” in the lobby of Kettering Tower.
“The scope of the 50th season represents the legacy of what was left to us by our founder Jeraldyne Blunden,” said DCDC Artistic Director Debbie BlundenDiggs. “She planted her seed in this community and decided she wanted this company to exist here. I want people to know 50 years later we are still here, still vibrant and vital. We’re not going anywhere. We look forward to everyone celebrating with us. We’re actually heading to China soon, very excited to be a part of diplomacy and other programming, and when we return we’ll be heading into production with ‘The Bench.’”
Dayton Ballet launches with the return of “Dracula: Bloodlines,” beautifully choreographed by Dayton Ballet Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke with evocative music by Austin Jaquith and striking costumes by Ray Zupp.
“‘Dracula: Bloodlines’ is coming back with an all-new cast of dancers and singers,” Burke explained. “I am very excited to see where the artistry of another cast will take this iconic story.” The organization will also deliver “The Nutcracker” as well as a repertory program titled “Perspectives,” particularly featuring a world premiere by former Dayton Ballet member Case Bodamer who retired as a dancer this past May.
“In February we will be presenting our ‘Perspectives’ performances, which features four smaller pieces,” Burke noted. “Two will be world premieres for Dayton Ballet and two will be revivals. ‘Trinity,’ a Joffrey Ballet staple, will have a short video clip of a documentary explaining the events that were going on in the world when it was created back in 1970 in Berkley, Calif. Then our dancers will be shown in the rehearsal process and we will hear their comments on how the ballet relates to them in today’s world.”
The season will conclude with Burke’s refreshing look at “Sleeping Beauty.”
“‘Sleeping Beauty,’ the story of Briar Rose, is an all new full-length ballet to be performed at the Schuster Center with the Philharmonic,” she said. “It will have a slightly different twist to it. The story takes place in the forest where baby Rose is left by her parents who cannot care for her anymore. She is found by Cinereous, a grey menacing vulture who takes great interest in her. Rescued by the Hunter, she is raised by him and his wife. On her 16th birthday, Cinereous devises a way for Rose to prick her finger on a poisonous thorn so he can take her back to the forest. Arden, the hunter’s helper, and all the flower fairies decide to rescue Rose from the evil Cinereous. They succeed and Rose and Arden celebrate with all the creatures of the forest and garden. The ballet’s costumes and sets have been inspired by the great symbolist artist Gustav Klimt and will be designed by New York creators Christine Darch and Lewis Folden. I am very excited to collaborate with them and the dancers of the Dayton Ballet to bring this full-length to life!”
Elsewhere, Gem City Ballet under the artistic direction of Barbara Pontecorvo is preparing another season of promising repertory. Area colleges will offer many premieres particularly Wright State University’s spring concert.
Dayton Ballet
Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, and Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton
(937) 228-3630 or daytonperformingarts.org facebook.com/DaytonPerformingArtsAlliance.
The second-oldest ballet company in the United States, Dayton Ballet has become known for producing new works as well as traditional ballets. The organization is also the only dance company to establish a fund specifically to create new, full-length 21st century ballets.
Oct. 25-28: “Dracula: Bloodlines”
Dec. 14-23: “The Nutcracker”
Feb. 14-17, 2019: “Perspectives”
April 12-14, 2019: “Sleeping Beauty: The Story of Briar Rose”
Special events: Dec. 31: “New Year’s Eve: Fiesta!”
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton; DCDC Studios, 840 Germantown St., Dayton; University of Dayton Boll Theatre, 300 College Park, Dayton; Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton; Kettering Tower, 40 N. Main St., Dayton Dayton; (937) 228-3630 or dcdc.org
facebook.com/DaytonContemporary-Dance-Company twitter.com/DCDCLive instagram.com/daytoncontemporarydancecompany
youtube.com/DaytonContemporaryDanceCompany
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is rooted in the African-American experience while drawing from diverse, nationally-recognized and emerging choreographers.
Oct. 6-7: “The Bench: Journey Into Love”
Dec. 14-15: “The Littlest Angel”
Jan. 26, 2019: “Onyx: Etched in Stone Resilient Through Time”
March 23-24, 2019: “Balance”
May 4, 2019: “Golden Anniversary Gala Concert” and “Soulstice: 50th Anniversary Gala”
Special events: Oct. 18: Up Close and Personal
Dec. 10: Founder’s Day & Balloon Launch
March 21, 2019: Up Close and Personal
Gem City Ballet
Stuart Sebastian Performance Space, 20 Commercial Way, Springboro
(937) 550-9245 or gemcityballet.org.
facebook.com/Gem-CityBallet twitter.com/gcballet Founded by Barbara Pontecorvo in 1992, Gem City Ballet, originally known as Ballet de Jeunesse, was formed to educate young dancers in the joys and rigors of ballet, to make quality ballet performances available to a wider audience, and provide new and experience choreographers a chance to create new works.
Oct. 19-21: Fall Repertory Performance
Feb. 15-17, 2019: Winter Repertory Performance
April 26-28, 2019: Spring Repertory Performance
Pontecorvo Ballet Studios
Stuart Sebastian Performance Space, 20 Commercial Way, Springboro
(937) 550-9245 or pbstudios.com
facebook.com/Pontecorvo-Ballet-Studios
Spearheaded by Barbara Pontecorvo, Pontecorvo Ballet Studios trains young dancers to enter the world of professional dance. Pontecorvo’s students have gone on to join such companies as San Francisco Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet San Antonio, and Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo among others.
Nov. 17-18: “The Nutcracker”
Sinclair Community College
444 W. Third St. Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2
(937) 512-2808 or sinclair. edu
facebook.com/Sinclair. Theatre twitter.com/sinclairtheatre Sinclair offers an exhibition of talent from students of all walks of life.
May 17-18, 2019: “Empowered Moves”
University of Dayton
Kennedy Union Boll Theatre, 300 College Park, Dayton
(937) 229-2545 or udayton.edu
UD Dance Ensemble continues its annual collaboration with the repertory training ensemble of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.
March 23-24, 2019: “Balance”
Wright State University Creative Arts Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Dayton
(937) 775-2500 or facebook.com/Wright-StateUniversity-Dept-of-TheatreDance-Motion-Pictures
WSU coordinator/professor of dance Teressa Wylie McWilliams oversees five world premiere works by WSU faculty and guest artists.
April 25-28, 2019: Spring Dance Concert