(CHATHAM, N.Y.) – Cutting-edge dance performances by David Parsons, Lionel Popkin, Jamal Jackson and Take Dance top the summer bill of dance, music, theater and other performance at PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, in its ninth season as Columbia County’s premiere outdoor performing arts venue. The lineup also includes Latin jazz with Dafnis Prieto, theater by Walking the Dog Theater, Hudson Air Radio Plays, and the Actor’s Ensemble, a semi-staged concert performance of 17th century composer Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas,” and the ninth annual Paul Grunberg Memorial Bach Concert, featuring an early-music trio.

The summer festival at PS21 also includes a fashion show; Just For Fun: an afternoon program for kids; film screenings; puppet shows; workshops for adults, teens and children; and the first ever Chatham Dance Festival.

“Dance has always been an important aspect of PS21’s summer schedule. Of all the performing arts, it is the least accessible to our local rural communities,” explained PS21 President Judy Grunberg. “Once exposed to a thrilling dance performance, we’ve seen our audiences develop an understanding and love of this rich, unspoken language. To this end, we have increased our offerings to include more performances, workshops, and film about dance.”

PS21 is located at 2980 Route 66, one mile north of the village of Chatham. Visit g or call 518.392.6121 for more information. To order tickets, please visit our website or call 1-800-838-3006.

 

Details of the 2014 Season:

 

MUSIC

 

NINTH ANNUAL PAUL GRUNBERG MEMORIAL BACH CONCERT

Sunday, June 22, 2pm

Three period-instrument virtuosi, Repast Baroque, present vivid renditions of the  music of J.S. Bach. John Mark Rozendaal, viola da gambist. Amelia Roosevelt, Baroque violinist. Dongsok Shin, guest harpsichordist. This annual concert is held in memory of Paul Grunberg, the late husband of PS21 President Judy Grunberg. “There is something about Bach’s work that goes beyond music,” Grunberg said.

Bach Concert Tickets: $35/$30 PS21 members/$20 students 18 and under

 

DAFNIS PRIETO SI O SI QUARTET

Saturday, July 12, 8pm

Original jazz compositions with Cuban jazz roots. Dafnis Prieto’s arrival in the U.S. has been compared to an asteroid hitting New York. His revolutionary drumming techniques have had a powerful impact on the Latin and jazz music scene. Nominated for Best New Artist at the Latin Grammy Awards and  for a Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album in 2007. Dafnis Prieto, drums, Roman Filiu, alto saxophone, Manuel Valera, piano, Johannes Weidenmueller, bass.

This event is part of The New York State Presenters Network Presenter-Artist Partnership Project made possible through a regrant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Dafnis Prieto Tickets: $30/$25 members/$18 students 18 and under

NOTE: At 2 pm on Saturday, July 12 Dafnis Prieto will give a Talk Demonstration at Tracy Memorial Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham.

This event is also part of The New York State Presenters Network Presenter-Artist Partnership Project made possible through a regrant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

 

PURCELL’S DIDO AND AENEAS, and Incidental Music for Shakespeare

Saturday, July 19, 8pm and Sunday, July 20, 2pm

PS21 and Concerts in the Village (CITV) present an  exciting semi-staged concert performance of 17th century composer Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, a masterpiece of the Baroque age and the first significant opera in English. David Smith directs soloists Amanda Boyd, Jon Morrell, Kameryn Luen, Vicki Smith, Katie Roppolo, the Broad Street Choral, and a chamber orchestra. A reception for the audience and artists will follow the performance.

Dido and Aeneas Tickets: $30/$25 members/$18 students 18 and under

 

THEATER

WALKING THE DOG THEATER LONG FORM IMPROV

Thursday-Saturday June 26-28, 8pm

Walking the dog Theater offers a performance of long-form improv. Actors David Anderson, Eddie Allen, Lora Lee Ecobelli, Melania Levitsky, Nancy Rothman, Ted DesMaisons, and Gabriel Rodriquez will take audience suggestions and create a theater piece from it, making scenes up as they go. Directed by Lisa Rowland.

Long-Form Improv Tickets:

Thurs $15/$12 PS21 members/$8 students 18 and under

Fri and Sat $20/$15 PS21 members/$12 students 18 and under

 

HUDSON AIR RADIO PLAYS: CRIMINAL IN TENT

Friday, July 11, 8pm

Presented by PS21 with Hudson Air, Hudson Opera House, and WGXC 90.7 FM

Stories of crime and mystery are performed with live music and sound effects. Directed by Andrew Joffe, with actors Nancy Rothman, Lora Lee Ecobelli, Byron Nilsson, James Occhino, foley artist Bob Hanley and musician Lincoln Mayorga. The performance showcases the work of Hudson Valley playwrights along with radio adaptations from classic authors.

Hudson Air Tickets: $18/$15 members/$10 youth 18 years and under

 

THE ACTORS’ ENSEMBLE in Mrs. Ripley’s Trip and Uncle Ethan Ripley

Friday-Saturday July 25-26, 8pm

The Actors’ Ensemble’s production of Hamlin Garland’s wry and touching stories about the hard scrabble lives of farmers in the Iowa prairies of the 1880s. Ted Pugh and Fern Sloan play Mr. and Mrs. Ripley. Sheri Bauer Mayorga will provide musical interludes of American music of the period.

Actor’s Ensemble Tickets: $20/$15 members/$12 youth

 

DANCE

LIONEL POPKIN DANCE Ruth Doesn’t Live Here Anymore

Friday-Saturday August 1-2, 8pm

Lionel Popkin, who is of mixed Jewish and Indian heritage, explores how our origins define us. His dances are simultaneously low-tech and lush, questioning and funny. His latest work Ruth Doesn’t Live Here Anymore considers the paradoxical legacy of modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis, co-founder of the famed Denishawn Company, who brought “Orientalism” to Western dance. The piece features a live performance of an original score by Guy Klucevsek.

This performance is made possible in part by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Lionel Popkin Dance Tickets: $30/$25 members/$18 students 18 and under

 

JAMAL JACKSON DANCE COMPANY Bask in the Shade

Friday-Saturday August 15-16, 8pm

Jamal Jackson’s newest work Bask in The Shade explores how an individual’s view of him or herself changes when their social circle expands, the pressures that a community places on the individual, and the complexities of racial cohesion. Traditional Malian dance combined with an evolved contemporary African technique helps show the tug of war between traditional and modern values. Performed by Dianna Anderson, Rebecca Greenbaum, Karina Ikezoe, Jamal Jackson, Sydnie Liggett, Alyssa Maksym, Dana Thomas, and Gabriel Wilson. Composed by Frank Malloy IV.

Jamal Jackson Dance Company Tickets: $30/$25 members/$18 students 18 and under

 

SO YOU THINK YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND (MODERN) DANCE?

Dance Omi Alumni Works in Progress

Sunday, August 17, 2pm

Dance Omi Director Christopher K. Morgan will facilitate a showing of works-in-progress by Dance Omi alumni including Marie France Forcier, Lynn Neuman, and Melissa Riker. Using his extensive experience with the Liz Lehrman’s Critical Response Process, Morgan will facilitate an exchange between the artists and the audience. A reception will follow the showing. Free admission

 

TAKE DANCE COMPANY Somewhere Familiar Melodies and two premieres

Friday-Saturday August 22-23, 8pm

Somewhere Familiar Melodies is a memory piece by Takehiro Ueyama. Additionally, Take and co-director Jill Echo will work with Chatham area residents to collect memories and verbal images of what Chatham means to them. Take will then choreograph a piece set to their voices, and the result will premier at this performance

This event is part of The New York State Presenters Network Presenter-Artist Partnership Project made possible through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York state Legislature.

Take Dance Tickets: $30/$25 members/$18 students 18 and under

 

PARSONS DANCE

Friday-Saturday  August 29-30, 8pm

Parsons Dance, an internationally renowned contemporary dance company under the artistic direction of dancer/choreographer David Parsons, will present a new work, Introduction, as well as Bachiana, Caught and others.

Parsons Dance Tickets: $40/$35 members/$25 students 18 and under

 

WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS

 

COMMUNITY SING: Rounds, Rounds, Rounds, Not Just Your Grandmother’s Frère Jacques with Sheri Bauer Mayorga

Monday, July 7, July 14 and July 28, 7:30pm

This is a series of three Summer Sings exploring rounds by Mozart, Haydn, Bernstein, Schickele and a few by Columbia County composers!

Summer Sing Tickets: $10/$8 members, $25/$20 members for the series of three

 

DANCE FOR A VARIABLE POPULATION WITH NAOMI GOLDBERG HAAS

Monday-Friday, July 7-11, 8:30am-10am

Full body warm-up from jazz and modern dance; movements benefiting joint mobility, mental stimulation, and body-mind connection. An excellent cardiovascular workout and dynamic stretch. Appropriate for adults of all ages and abilities. This class is held at the PS21 Dance Studio.

DVP Morning Class: $55/$50 members/$40 students 18 and under (for the week)

 

DANCE MASTER CLASSES

Saturdays, August 2, 23, and 30, 11am-12:30pm

 

Saturday, August 2 – LIONEL POPKIN DANCE

Lionel Popkin will teach a dance class in Skinner Releasing Technique which uses poetic imagery and hands-on tactile studies to facilitate a deeper kinesthetic experience of movement.

 

Saturday, August 23 – TAKE DANCE

Jill Echo, Assistant Director of TAKE Dance, will teach a workshop for intermediate to experienced dancers.

 

Saturday, August 30 – PARSONS DANCE

A member of the Parsons Dance company will teach a workshop which will focus on the contemporary style and movement of Parsons Dance. For intermediate to experienced dancers.

 

Dance Master Classes Fees:

$20/$15 members/$12 students for one class or $30 for series of 3 Dance Master Classes

 

WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

 

THEATRE ARTS WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

Monday, July 7-Wednesday, August 15

Kids, learn about theater improvisation, acting, staging and other theater arts skills at either Chatham Kids’ Club with theater arts teacher Emilia Teasdale or at Chatham Recreation Crellin Summer Camp with actor Nancy Rothman. Contact Chatham Kids Club or Town of Chatham to register.

Chatham Kids Club, Mary E. Dardess Elementary School (518) 392-9847

Town of Chatham, Crellin Summer Camp, Crellin Park (518) 392-0337

 

WEST AFRICAN DANCE, DRUM and TEXTILE WORKSHOP

Monday, August 11-Friday, August 15, 8:30am-1:00pm

 

Workshop participants, ages 8-12 and 13-18, will investigate traditional West African dance, a highly expressive, physical art which aims to create interconnectedness within the community. Participants will also learn about West African textile design from fiber artist Susannah White, and each day will end with a drumming lesson. On Friday, participants present a public performance.

 

Dance, Drum and Textile Workshop Tickets: $175/$150 members for the week-long day camp program. Generous scholarships are available. Pre-registration is required.

 

JUST FOR FUN

This event is made possible in part by the Stewart’s Holiday Match Grant.

 

STEVE CHARNEY AND HIS DUMMY HARRY

Friday, July 18, 1pm

 

Steve Charney is a magician, ventriloquist, radio personality, songwriter, children’s author, recording artist and all-around nut. He’s been profiled in the New Yorker, been a commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered and has written dozens of songs for Jim Henson and Disney. Free admission

 

CARAPACE FARM PUPPETRY The Sky is Falling and other tales

Friday, July 25, 1pm

Join Carapace Farm Puppetry for an illuminating hour of stories, songs, and silliness. This family friendly event will provide all ages with opportunities for audience participation, interpretive freedom, and lessons in puppet awesomeness. Free admission

 

MODERN DANCE EXPERIENCE WITH LIONEL POPKIN DANCE COMPANY

Friday, August 1, 1pm

Lionel Popkin, a highly original dancer and choreographer, and his company will introduce the Just for Fun audience to modern dance through a performance exploring the joys of movement and music, and giving the audience an opportunity to try a few modern dance moves themselves. Free admission

The presentation of Lionel Popkin Dance was made possible by the New England foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

 

WORD DANCES: The Storycrafters tell traditional stories about dance

Friday, August 8, 1pm

Barry Marshall and Jeri Burns are storytellers who believe in the wisdom of traditional stories and integrate music and dances into their telling. The Storycrafters have received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award,  Parents Choice Awards, awards from the NYS Broadcasters’ Association for their family radio show, Just Imagine. Free admission

 

JAMAL JACKSON: West African Dance Workshop Performance

Friday, August 15, 1pm

A high energy performance of West African dance and drumming by the participants in this summer’s Jamal Jackson intensive dance and drumming workshops. Free admission.

 

PS21 SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Fashion InTENTsive

Saturday, July 5

7:00pm VIP reception

8:00-10:00pm show and auction

A fundraising auction and sale of unique clothes from Rewraps (PS21’s retail outlet) to support PS21’s programs. Includes music and comedy, and refreshments will be available. Alan Chartock, Director of WAMC, will be guest auctioneer.

 

COMMUNITY CONCERT AND CIDER PARTY

Saturday, September 6, 6:30pm

Enjoy cider and live music with friends and family in our glorious apple orchard.

Community Concert Tickets: $15/$8 students 18 and under/PS21 members are free

 

MOVIE TUESDAYS

Our ninth season of free music and dance films

 

Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould Tuesday, June 17, 8:30pm

Award-winning documentary about the piano prodigy, portrayed by Colm Feore. The soundtrack consists almost entirely of piano recordings by Gould. (Canada,1993, 98 minutes.)

 

You Were Never Lovelier Tuesday, June 24, 8:30pm

Starring Fred Astaire with Rita Hayworth, who some suspect may have been his favorite partner. Memorable dancing, music and laughs. Score by Jerome Kern. (USA 1942, 97 minutes.)

 

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel Tuesday, July 1, 8:30pm

This documentary by her grandson’s wife, captures Vreeland’s life through a range of media. Her own voice and persona guides us through her adventurous life. (2011. Rated PG-13, 86 minutes.)

 

Havana, Havana! Tuesday, July 8, 8:30pm

The soul and energy of African-Cuban drummers, guajira guitarists and the pulsing melodies of Cuban music. Raul Paz brings together fellow musical stars for a concert in Havana. Directed by David Grubin, who will introduce the film. (USA, 2012, 56 minutes.)

 

The Full Monty Tuesday, July 15, 8:30pm

In depressed Sheffield, England, six unemployed steel workers in need of money form a male striptease act. Many Academy Award nominations; won Best Original Music Score. (UK ,1997, Rated R, 91 minutes.)

 

Jazz on a Summer’s Day Tuesday, July 22, 8:30pm

Set at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. Selected in 1999 for preservation in the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. (USA, 1960, 85 minutes.)

 

Films of Georges Méliès Tuesday, July 29, 8:30pm

A Trip to the Moon (France 1902) silent film

The Impossible Voyage (France 1904) silent film

Palace of the Arabian Nights (France 1906) silent film

Baron Munchausan’s Dream (France 1911) silent film

Choreographer’s Choice: Lionel Popkin, who introduces the films.

 

To Dance Like A Man Tuesday, August 5, 8:00pm

Identical Cuban triplets Angel, César and Marcos, age 11, want the same thing: to be chosen for a role in an important ballet in Havana. (UK, 2011, 58 minutes.)

 

Bill T. Jones: A Good Man Tuesday, August 12, 8:00pm

Follows acclaimed director/choreographer Bill T. Jones for two tumultuous years, as he tackles the most ambitious work of his career, an original dance-theater piece in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial. Choreographer’s Choice: Jamal Jackson, who introduces the film. (USA, 2011, 1 hour 23 minutes.)

 

Frances Ha Tuesday, August 19, 8:00pm

“Shot in glorious monochrome and packed with gentle, subtle comedy, Frances Ha is a sweet, could-be-real tale.” – Richard Burns  Choreographer’s Choice: Takehiro (Take) Ueyama, who introduces the film. (USA, 2012, 86 minutes, Rated R.)

 

DANCERS and DANCEMAKERS FILM FESTIVAL

August 5-9 at 8:00pm

 

To Dance Like A Man Tuesday, August 5, 8:00pm

Identical Cuban triplets Angel, César and Marcos, age 11, want the same thing: to be chosen for a role in an important ballet in Havana. (UK, 2011, 58 minutes.)

 

Ballets Russes Wednesday, August 6, 8:00pm

An intimate portrait of a group of pioneering artists— now in their 70s, 80s and 90s— who gave birth to modern ballet. Directors: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine. (Belgium, 2005, 118 minutes.)

 

Dancing Dreams Thursday, August 7, 8:00pm

This was the last film and the last interview with the world-famous dancer and choreographer Pina Bausch. (Germany, 2009, 92 minutes. German with English subtitles.)

 

Dancing For Mr. B. Friday, August 8, 8:00pm

Six of George Balanchine’s finest stars pay a moving tribute to the legendary choreographer. (USA, 1989, 86 minutes.)

Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About, Saturday, August 9, 8:00pm

Jerome Robbins started his career as a modern dancer but learned to appreciate the technique involved in ballet, merging the two in his choreography. (USA,  2009, 120 minutes.)

PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century is a not-for-profit organization in Chatham, NY, dedicated to the performing arts and to serving a diverse community with concerts, programs and residencies by professional artists and ensembles, youth and children’s programming and cultural education opportunities for all ages.

PS21’s presenting programs are underwritten in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature