Dance Complex - Programs

Programs

Unique to the Dance Complex is the approach to and realization of programs. The ideas for programs come from within the community, addressing needs and creating opportunities. With each of our programs, the Dance Complex has been able to give riches back to the community, revitalizing the neighborhood and welcoming people from all economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. The Dance Complex has developed and deepened relationships with local businesses, the school system, artists, and government departments. These collaborations enhance not only the Dance Complex but also the strength of the community by providing accessible, quality artistic work and opportunities for local artists.

Shared Choreographers' Concerts

Dance Complex Open House

Workstudy Program

DanceMonth at The Dance Complex

Other Programs

Summer at the Dance Complex: The Dance Complex will be CLOSED Monday, August 18th - Monday, September 1st (Labor Day) for annual building/studio repair and maintenance projects. We need your help! Please contact Jayne if you would like to volunteer to help us improve our studios & theatre - 617.547.9363 x14.

Shared Choreographers' Concerts

Held three times each year, this program provides an opportunity for new and developing artists to have their work produced in concert with their peers. Mentors provide guidance and feedback for the choreographers, dancers and producers from the first showing of an idea through, and beyond, the performances. It is also a vehicle for learning all aspects of producing, publicizing, designing, budgeting and documenting a concert; two dancers share these production responsibilities, under the guidance of the program mentor. These concerts are an extension of the learning process. Outside an academic program, artists often lack the supportive feedback and nurturing that is so crucial to their growth. A discussion with the audience follows each concert, providing an educational enrichment for all involved and a proven way of building an informed and committed following.

Fall 2008 Shared Choreographers' Concert

The next Shared Choreographers' Concert will be October 10 & 11, 2008. The application deadline is Friday, August 15, 5pm. The two showings are on Sunday, September 7 & 28; all choreographers and dancers are REQUIRED to attend BOTH showings. Two producers and two mentors are needed for the fall SCC - Please contact Rozann 617.547.9363 x15.

Need more information about how to apply to the SCC or the program? See below...

Here's how it works:

In order participate in the SCC, please submit a written description of your proposed piece by the proposal deadline. This description should include important information about your idea such as number of dancers, movement style, concepts, music, props, goals, etc.; please be as specific as you can. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Finished dances can be up to 10 minutes long. Preference is given to never-performed pieces and to choreographers who have not recently participated in previous SCC productions. After the proposal deadline, the producers will call you to give you a showing time (if you or your dancers have any REAL time constraints, say so in your proposal). For each showing, there is usually 20 minutes to perform what there is of the dance and get feedback from the mentors. The producers will notify everyone within 2 days re: whether their piece is in this concert, not in this concert, or a maybe. If you are selected, in addition to getting produced in a concert, you get a $40 honorarium and 6 free hours of rehearsal at the Dance Complex. At the 2nd showing, which is closer to the concert date, it is expected your dance will have evolved and is another time for mentor feedback. If you're not chosen this time, there are 3 Shared Choreographers' Concerts each year. Producers are allowed to show a dance, too. Proposals should placed in the SCC mailbox located in the DC lobby or mailed to: The Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 ATTN: Shared Choreographers' Concert.

Back to top

NEXT DANCE COMPLEX OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, September 14th, 2008!

Twice a year, The Dance Complex offers a day of free classes. Experience the rich diversity of dance that the Complex has to offer, FREE OF CHARGE: 20-minute mini-classes from Flamenco to Jazz, Hip-Hop to Kathak, African to Modern. The next Open House will be Sunday, September 14th, 2008 (Schedule TBA). Schedule for the May 2008 Open House included:

1:00 - Ramon de los Reyes - Flamenco
1:20 - Dennis Goldsmith - Kick Boxing
1:40 - Carl Alleyne - Hip Hop
2:00 - Gretchen Hayden - Kathak (Indian)
2:20 - Rozann Kraus - Easy Modern
2:40 - Derrick Davis - Jazz Funk
3:00 - Danny Swain - Modern
3:20 - Anita Hevel - Modern Jazz
3:40 - AnaLinda Marcus - Tango
4:00 - Joh Camara - West African

Back to top

WorkStudy Program

The Dance Complex is volunteer-based and artist-run. WorkStudy Program Members barter their time in exchange for Workstudy slips. These slips can be applied towards classes or rehearsal time (they have no cash value). More importantly, WorkStudy program members garner a close connection to the dance family of the Cambridge and Greater Boston area.

For every one (1) hour worked, the WorkStudy member receives one (1) WorkStudy slip.
Members who work an opening or closing shift receive three (3) slips per shift.
Each WorkStudy slip may be redeemed for one (1) class or towards one (1) hour of studio time for rehearsal.

Anyone who is interested in becoming involved in the WorkStudy Program is encouraged to apply! Apply in person by asking for an application from the WorkStudy Member at the front desk of the Dance Complex.

If you have any questions please contact the WorkStudy Coordinator at 617.547.9363 X11.

Back to top

DanceMonth at The Complex - May 2008 was the 15th Anniversary!

15 Years of DanceMonth - The banners are down and the window installations, removed. The framed poster, with Fritz Klaetke's signature has taken its rightful place among the other framed posters from the past 15 years.

DanceMonth 2008 is over and many people and businesses are responsible for its' successes. Thank you to Mayor Simmons who, like each mayor in previous years, co-hosted the kickoff party and helped add credibility to the bestowing of the Dance Belt Award. And to Jerry Bussiere, often with Stan Strickland among the many talented musicians who joined him to play at that same party each year. Gus Rancatore and (for most of the years) John Clifford helped organize the International Restaurants who catered, and Central Square Florists who decorated, that event on the first Saturday each May.

CCTV was always part of the fun, featuring dance programming all month.

Classic GraphX (Classic Copy until recently), Forest City Enterprises and Pearl Art supported DanceMonth continuously and generously since it began in 1993.

That was the year Mayor Ken Reeves agreed to the concept of a month-long celebration of dance, and the year he gave a key to the City to Mark Morris.

Tuesdays@Noon began as a collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce and The Dance Complex and was catered by Carberry's. The concert and luncheon series has continued, this year sponsored by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (1730 Mass Ave), and catered by a different donor each week: Q'doba Mexican Grill; Petsi Pies; Jules Catering and Whole Foods. A performance followed by lunch with the artists for $10; not a bad deal.

Supported by the School Department, DanceMonth in the Schools was added as a way to integrate dance into the academic syllabus. Core teachers work with dance specialists to offer curriculum-based workshops for the students. For many years Judith Contrucci worked with Erica Sigal to coordinate the 40+ sessions provided to the students.

Lumen Eclipse and University Florists joined the Community Newspapers as sponsors, along with intermittent support from the Cambridge Arts Council.-Public Work Department always helped, sometimes tangling the red tape with the banners, but always coming through with flying colors; thank you Annette.

Fifteen years has been a goodly amount of time to surprise people with Dance Distractions. And a goodly length of time to post the final thank you. 2008: May was DanceMonth in Cambridge for the last time.

Thank you all for a great dance.

-Rozann Kraus

DanceMonth at the Complex: DanceMonth Kick Off Party - DanceMonth Tuesdays@Noon Concet Series - DanceMonth Open House - DanceMonth Dance Distractions - DanceMonth in the Schools-

Back to top

Read/Dance

NOTICE: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO LOSS OF FUNDING.

A collaborative project with the Cambridge Public Library System, it incorporates the school curriculum during the school year and the Summer Reading theme during the Summer to provide movement/reading workshops at each of the Cambridge Public Libraries. Children learn to read choreography; to understand movement as reflections of ideas and emotions; to explore ideas through their bodies and to create their own stories in more than one way. Using familiar books, stories, words and images, dance and the process of dance making become familiar and comfortable. As children explore stories and literary ideas through movement, they begin to explore their own ideas and emotions, telling their own stories through dance.