Ross Dance Presents 3rd Annual Bay Area Praise Dance Festival

It is a unique opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate the Gospel and hear the soulful harmonies from Berkeley's acclaimed choir, Covenant Worship Center and see the vernacular movement from praise and liturgical dancers from all over California. The movement is "quick and fast and clean, some from ballet, some resembling West African dance" (East Bay Express). After selling out at last year's festival, Ross presents another year of praise dance and live Gospel music. Starting June 25 Ross kicks off with its Annual Bay Area Praise Dance Conference offering a full day of workshops, choreography, and technique classes to over a 100 youth and adults at Oakland's Malonga Casquelourd Center (1428 Alice Street), then on Sunday June 26 praise dance comes back to Julia Morgan Theater (2640 College Avenue, Berkeley), and ends with its Sacramento festival on Saturday July 16 at Veteran's Memorial Theater (203 East 14th Street, Davis). This year's festivals are refreshing programs that will feature some of the largest churches in the area such as First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Covenant Worship Center, Los Angeles' Passion for Christ Movement, First Baptist of Pittsburg with special performances by Ross Dance and many more.

The Ross Dance Company is a professional touring contemporary praise and jazz company founded by Dwight and Dr. Tecsia Evans in August 2005. Ross is "invigorating" (San Francisco Sentinel) and a company of "highly athletic dancers that create work that speaks to real topics that affect real people" San Francisco Examiner. The Company has presented full evenings of soulful modern jazz choreography at Merce Cunningham and Joyce SoHo in New York City, CounterPulse, Laney College, Madrid in Los Angeles, UC Berkeley, and Julia Morgan Theater. Ross repertory (Evening of Soulful Modern Jazz {2005}, Testimony {2006}), Speak {2007}, To Evolve and Stay Young {2009} and More Than {2010} has explored the challenges and empowerment of spirituality, women gender roles, strength of sisterhood, domestic abuse and the power of freedom. The intent behind Ross' work is to highlight and comment on the social discourse and victories that individuals face in their relationships, spirituality, and society. Ross strides to invite the audience into uplifting stories that connect with their mind, emotions and soul. It is Ross' vision to give dancers who have a dream and a passion to dance to share their story. Ross Dance has received funding awards in previous years from City of Oakland Cultural Arts Program, Zellerbach Foundation, and Clorox.

Tickets for the Ross Dance upcoming festivals can be reserved by emailing tickets@rossdance.com or calling (510) 828-5760. Groups of 10 or more will receive 20% group discount off the General Admission price. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.rossdance.com or at the door prior to every performance.

Below is the full schedule for the Ross Dance 2011 Praise Dance Festivals:

3rd Bay Area Praise Dance Conference:
Saturday June 25, 2011 at Malonga Casquelourd Theater
A praise dance conference with choreography and leadership workshop and dance technique classes. There will two separate programs offered to over a 100 youth and adults. Featuring professional instructors from Dance-A-Vision, Sacramento's Ascension, and Ross Dance.

3rd Annual Bay Praise Dance Festival:
Sunday June 26, 2011 at Julia Morgan Theater
Featuring the following groups:
First African Methodist Episcopal Church - Oakland
Praise Fellowship Bible Church - Richmond
Passion for Christ - Los Angeles
Covenant Worship Center - Berkeley
Erik Lee - Oakland
Lauren Pitcher - Novato
First Baptist - Pittsburg
Ross Dance Company - Oakland

Sacramento Annual Praise Dance Festival:
Saturday July 16, 2011 at Veteran's Memorial Theater
Featuring the following groups:
South Sacramento Church - Sacramento
St John Church - Sacramento
Anointed Praise - Sacramento
Erik Lee - Oakland
Ross Dance Company - Oakland
...and many more

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