NOBODY'S BUSINESS, FUNK SWEET! and More Set for Undertoe Dance Project in New York, 11/20-24

Undertoe Dance Project announces its New York Season, with performances and educational programming from November 20-24, 2013 at 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues), NYC. Performances: Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $28 ($24 for students and seniors) and are available at http://undertoe.brownpapertickets.com or 1-800-838-3006.

In addition to the performances, Undertoe Dance Project presents two opportunities to enjoy dance: Opening Night Tappy Hour and Sneak Peek performance on Monday, November 18 at 7pm, and a Pay-What-You-Will Open Dress Rehearsal on Tuesday, November 19 at 8pm. For more information, visit undertoedance.com.

Undertoe Dance Project's New York Season will feature an as-yet-untitled World Premiere piece by Director Dana Fisch and Company Manager Lauren Newby. The piece explores overcoming obstacles and the subsequent sense of empowerment. In addition, the company will perform works from the repertoire that has been created over the past five years, including "Nobody's Business," "Happy Enough?" "Better Happy Ending," "Funk Sweet!" and "Trad!t!ons." The performance will run approximately 2 hours with two intermissions.

"Nobody's Business" (2010)

Choreography: Dana Fisch

Music: Rory Block, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Susan Tedeschi

In Nobody's Business, Ms. Fisch and her dancers explore the role of a strong woman in the context of a relationship: the coy first meeting and exciting beginnings, the sensual and selfish stage where couple-hood is all-important and defining, the unsatisfying decline, and the eventual parting of the ways. Unlike many other relationship stories told through dance, the female voice in Undertoe's work is strong, independent, and self-assured. A mix of fusion and single-genre pieces set to music by three different female Blues artists, this suite explores the independent, contemporary woman's role as she rides out the roller coaster of a real modern relationship until she packs her bags and leaves to move on to what else life has in store for her. Uplifting rather than depressing, the suite takes you on an emotional and visceral journey. This piece supported in part by a Harkness Space Grant at the 92nd Street Y and an artistic residency at Ballibay: a Fine & Performing Arts Camp.

"Happy Enough? (2012)

Choreography: Dana Fisch

Music: Incubus

Conformity. Status quo. Happiness. In Happy Enough?, phase one is the happy-go-lucky side of life, maybe from adolescence, when we aren't burdened with responsibility and we can just have fun. That changes as we transition to adulthood. Phase two is the inner battle that we wage with ourselves as we fight against the status quo to remain an individual with our own opinions about life, success, and happiness. Phase three shows that all too often, we are fighting a losing battle and become consumed by society's expectations of what we should be doing in life. The conventional knowledge is that by living by society's expectations, we will find happiness. But are we just happy enough?

"Better Happy Ending" (2010/2013)

Choreography: Dana Fisch

Music: Sara Bareilles; Aretha Franklin and The Eurythmics

Inspired by Bareilles' irreverent yet biting lyrics, this jazz quartet that opens the suite shows us what would happen if four of everyone's favorite fairytale princesses got together after their 'happily ever after' to tell us the real story. Though the subject matter is anything but childish, the use of the familiar fairytales and their very realistic failings makes this an incredibly accessible piece for any audience. The fusion section takes these themes and turns them front and center with the powerful tones of Aretha Franklin and The Eurythmics as the tap dancers show the princesses that they don't need to be defined by a man in their lives, that their own power is derived not from their associations, but who they are inside. The upbeat music and fun, explosive choreography engages audiences of every age with its empowering message.

This piece made possible by an artistic residency at Ballibay: a Fine & Performing Arts Camp.

"Funk Sweet!" (2011)

Choreography: Dana Fisch, Nicole Ohr, Lacey Sasso

Music: Cameo, Con Funk Shun, King Floyd

Funk Sweet! is a work which showcases the choreography of Artistic Director Dana Fisch in conjunction with her two dance captains. This suite consists of three new fusion works, in which technique is disguised and contrasted by larger, simpler movements, and even some good old fashioned grooving that you might see any person do on the dance floor. Funk Sweet! is an upbeat and uplifting way for the audience to connect to dance, one of Ms. Fisch's main goals.

"Trad!t!ons" (2012)

Choreography: Dana Fisch

Music: Bob Crosby, Benny Berigan, Minimatic

Rooted in the Charleston, this signature Undertoe Dance piece pays homage to the traditions and the origins of tap and jazz dance, from the costumes to the music selection. As the piece progresses, so do the costumes and choreography. The infusion of modern ideas into the second half of the piece brings out the sultry and sassy side of the two dance forms in non-traditional costuming and then back to the Charleston root bringing the art forms full circle to show that the traditions are always with us, no matter how modern our ideas become.

Undertoe Dance Project is a professional tap and jazz Dance Company comprised of all types of women. Founded in 2008, Undertoe creates dance that subverts the gender, racial, and formal assumptions of tap and jazz genres. Like the ocean's undertow, the company pulls people into the world of dance through performances, events, and educational opportunities. Undertoe Dance Project is committed to bringing the many diverse communities of the tri-state area together through movement and rhythm, all while having a good time. The unique blend of tap and jazz dance, two traditional American dance styles, allows the company to explore ideas that are reflected in our world today as well as the issues women in particular face. For more information visit undertoedance.com.

The 14th Street Y is a thriving and dynamic community center located in the heart of the East Village. Our members have access to over 40 fitness classes per week, lap and family swim times, babysitting, pick-up games in our basketball gymnasium and a fitness center filled with the latest equipment. Membership at the Y also gives you access to arts and culture programming, as well as early registration and discounts on all Y classes and programs like afterschool, camps, preschool, and Two by Two. For more information visit www.14streety.org.

Pictured: Dancers Dana Fisch and Nicole Ohr.