Dancing in the home of the First Lady of Song

Music & Motion Dance from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be bringing their new dance work the 9 muses to the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center on Thursday, July 9th at 3:00 pm as part of their week long tour of the Virginia area.

Music & Motion Dance Productions the 9 muses Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 3 PM Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center Ella Fitzgerald Theater 2410 Wickham Avenue, Newport News, VA Music & Motion Dance from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will be bringing their new dance work – the 9 muses to the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center on Thursday, July 9th at 3:00 pm as part of their week long tour of the Virginia area. The performance which will take place in the Ella Fitzgerald Theater is free to the public as part of the Center’s Summer programs for youth and family. For the creation of the 9 muses, each of the company’s members of this pre-professional, youth based group, were asked to create choreography, both as individuals and as a group, based on what personally inspires them. The concept was developed as a result of this group’s history of performing at outdoor sculpture parks, public gardens, zoos and museums. The program derives it name and from a life size sculpture piece, the 9 muses, by artist Carlos Dorrien, that the group has literally danced on as part of their public performances for the past five years. All totaled, a series of eighteen new dance pieces will be presented. According to dancer, Andrea Piovane, “muses have the potential to inspire, motivate, uplift, create solace, fill us with joy and allow us to reveal ourselves in new and undiscovered ways. What they ultimately do is allow us to create and in our case - to dance!” In ancient Greece, the nine muses ruled over the arts and sciences and offered inspiration in those subjects. But for dancers it is a sacred space, where you can find yourself again and again. A place where one can retreat, nourish the muse and ultimately find oneself. It is a playground that has the power to transport us and help us to resuscitate our imagination. Company member Brooke Fiorito adds “to be able to perform in a venue that honors ‘The First Lady of Song’, while being able to share our own muses with other youth in the arts, makes the experience very special!” Founded in 2000, under the artistic direction of Steven Weisz, Music & Motion is a fresh, innovative, performance-oriented, pre-professional, dance company. Rather than relying on a single dance style or technique, Music & Motion has developed its own unique movement for each new dance work created. A variety of eclectic styles are incorporated into the program including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, funk, hip hop and acrobatic styles. Music & Motion's mission is to empower youth through dance, movement and the performing arts, ultimately building self-esteem and inspiring creative self-expression and community action and interaction. Music & Motion Dance has performed throughout the United States and even internationally to a range of audiences in its short yet diverse history. With a deep commitment to group collaboration and exposing new audiences to dance and the performing arts, the company has won both critical acclaim as well as many new fans. About The Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center The Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center houses the Ella Fitzgerald Theater, 276-seat venue that honors the "First Lady of Song," who was born in Newport News in 1917. Originally built as the Walter Reed School, this historic building has been restored and was reopened to the public in October 2008. Their mission is to enhance the spirit of partnership with creative programming and outreach to city youth. For more information visit http://www.downinggross.org/

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Founded in 2000, under the artistic direction of Steven Weisz, Music & Motion is a fresh, innovative, performance-oriented, youth dance company.