Exciting New Programming and Classes Announced at The National Museum of Dance and School of the Arts
Family Sensory Story, Dance & Play Series
The National Museum of Dance is pleased to announce its Family Sensory Story, Dance & Play series. On the fourth Saturday of each month, children ages 4–7 will explore celebrated Hall of Fame members’ styles of dance and learn about their lives through movement. The series will highlight George Balanchine & Ballet, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson & Tap, Alvin Ailey & Modern, and Frankie Manning & Lindy hop.
The first event of the series will be January 25 and will celebrate George Balanchine’s birthday (January 22). Mary Anne Fantauzzi, Docent Coordinator, will share stories about George as a child and the inspiration for his ballet technique from his cat Mourka. This will be followed by an interactive story book about dancing cats at the Paris Opera Ballet, a sensory movement ballet class with props, and a craft project.
The event is 11:15 am – 12:15 pm in the Alfred Z. Solomon Children’s Wing and is open to children ages 4–7 accompanied by a parent. The cost is $10 for one child with parent or $5 for National Museum of Dance members and PLAY PASS members for one child with parent.
For more information and to register contact Mary Anne Fantauzzi at 518-584-2225 x 3004 or tours@dancemuseum.org. Reservations are necessary by January 23.
PLAY PASS is a year-long membership for $25 that allows free admission to the National Museum of Dance for a parent and one child under 12. Special VIP access to the Alfred Z. Solomon Children’s Wing off-season is available by appointment. Discounted admission to special events including Story, Dance & Play is also included. Email Mary Anne Fantauzzi at tours@dancemuseum.org for a PLAY PASS application.
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Immersive Event in Martha Graham Technique
The School of the Arts at the National Museum of Dance announces an all-day event on Saturday, February 1st (snow day February 8th):
*A Martha Graham Technique Class with Terese Capucilli; 2:30- 4 pm at the School of the Arts. Open to experienced dancers with previous modern dance training
*A Screening of the movie “The Sacrosanct Accompanist” and Q & A with Terese Capucili; 5- 8 pm at NMD’s Riggi Theater. Open to everyone.
Terese Capucilli was born in Syracuse, and is acclaimed for her work with Martha Graham Dance Company and her interpretation of the classic roles originally performed by Graham. She was a principal dancer with the Graham company from 1979 to 2005, associate artistic director from 2000 to 2002; and artistic director from 2002 to 05. She is now artistic director laureate.
Roles created for her include The Chosen One in The Rite of Spring. Capucilli was partnered by Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev in Graham works (Appalachian Spring in 1988 with both dancers). Roles have been created for her by choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Lucinda Childs, and Robert Wilson. Other career highlights include performances with Kathleen Turner in Graham’s Letter to the World and setting Appalachian Spring on Colorado Ballet and Juilliard (2008). She was associate founder/principal dancer of Buglisi Dance Theater and was chosen for Annie Leibovitz’s book, WOMEN. She has been on the faculty at Juilliard since 1999.
The Sacrosanct Accompanist is a beautiful documentary offering a pristine journey through sound and movement, giving overdue credence to the essential contribution that accompanists make to the dance world. This film is a kind of valentine to Lawrence “Reed” Hansen, who for generations has been one of the most inspiring musicians in the field.
Master of the art of improvisation for dance, Hansen makes this noblest of art forms an extraordinary pleasure to watch. At once, the documentary captures Reed’s delightful demeanor and evidences this stellar musician’s passion for and skill at accompanying dance classes.
Throughout, Reed’s invaluable comments explain how he incorporates basic components of pulse, meter, style, register, tone, melodic and rhythmic phrasing, and dynamic range to achieve his extraordinary brand of improvised dance accompaniment.
Central to this film is Hansen’s quiet generosity and commitment to the dance field, day after day. Clearly, the word ‘accompanist’ does not describe the full extent of this musician’s role within the classroom. Reed Hansen’s influence is much greater. He is a movement facilitator seamlessly connecting the aural and physical experience — And it is Terese Capucilli’s extraordinary and dedicated direction as filmmaker/producer that reveals this.
— Janet Mansfield Soares, Dance Educator and Author
For tickets go to www.dancemuseum.org/school, write to school@dancemuseum.org or call (518) 584-2225 ext. 3008
Master class only $35/ Master class and movie $40 / Movie only $15
The National Museum of Dance is open for winter hours Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. Visit www.dancemuseum.org for more information about upcoming exhibitions and programming. To volunteer at the National Museum of Dance email info@dancemuseum.org or call 518-584-2225 x 3001.
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