November Events Announced at Green Space

Green Space is pleased to announce a diverse roster of new/emerging artists for its signature programs this September. Take Root will present an evening of work by Kaoru Ikeda/MoustacheCat Dance and Xiang Xu Dance Theater on November 10th and 11th, and Fertile Ground showcases the creative output of multiple dance artists.

"With a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline twinkling through the tall, dusty windows of a former silk factory, both established and emerging NY choreographers show off their most recent works." -Queens Chronicle

TAKE ROOT, now in its 9th season, cultivates dance of varying aesthetics by producing choreographers' work in a full-length or paired-work evening. This monthly series supports dance makers by providing our venue, Green Space, along with full technical and marketing support to present their work to the NYC public.

November 10 & 11, 2017
8pm
Advance sale tickets: $15 online at www.GreenSpaceStudio.org
Tickets purchased at door: $20 cash, $22 credit card

Kaoru Ikeda/MoustacheCat Dance's Freedom isn't Free addresses the prejudice that resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The work continues to explore current biased reactions toward people of various races, religions, and ethnicities in the United States. Freedom isn't Free is choreographed by Kaoru Ikeda and performed by Mutsuyo Issacs, Maho Takeshita, Sarah Bolander, and Kaoru Ikeda. Music is by Jónsi & Alex (Licensed by BIM). An extended version of "Freedom isn't Free" will be performed in May 2018 at University Settlement and has been funded in part by a grant from the Asian Women Giving Circle.

Xiang Xu & Hyung Ji Yu's Oneness: The principle of the "oneness of life and its environment," demonstrates that the causes of our joy and sorrow originate within us. It's difficult to believe in yourself because the idea of self is an artificial construction. You are, in fact, part of the glorious oneness of the universe. Everything around us, including work and family relationships, is the reflection of our inner lives. Everything is perceived through the self and alters according to the individual's inner state of life.

Company/ Choreographer Biographies

Kaoru Ikeda is a dancer, choreographer, artistic director at MoustacheCat Dance, and "Dancing Activist." Kaoru graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, with an M.F.A in Dance. She has trained, performed, choreographed, and taught dance ranging from classic ballet to Butoh to modern dance. Her work has taken her to the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Mexico where she had an artist residency in 2012 and toured in 2016. Her choreographic works have been reviewed as "perfectly realized dance" and "moving poetry." Her international experiences have taught her that dance can cross any border and break through cultural barriers to speak to all people, no matter how different we think we are. She founded MoustacheCat Dance in 2015 to fight against prejudice through dance, and established the non-profit organization "MoustacheCat Enterprises Inc." in 2017.

Xiang Xu Dance Theater was founded early 2015 in New York City. As an emerging dance theater, it focuses on exploring new concepts of dance based on merging Asian philosophies into western contemporary dance. As a dancer and choreographer, Xiang Xu, strives to discover new Chinese bodily aesthetics as a new definition in contemporary dance, which is based on Chinese Classical Dance. Xiang focuses on abundant Chinese bodily etiquettes, traditional emotions and expressions, such as three bodily curves, center of gravity moving close to the ground and other techniques.

FERTILE GROUND has supported the emerging and established artists' community for 12 seasons, showcasing the work of over 50 choreographers each year. The non-curated program features five dance makers each evening and includes a post-performance discussion with wine, moderated by Green Space's Artistic Director, Valerie Green.

Dance Entropy Inc. created its company home, Green Space, in Long Island City in 2005. Housed in a former silk factory with magnificent views overlooking Manhattan, the lofty 2000 square foot space offers an affordable venue for the creation and practice of dance. Green Space and Dance Entropy are committed to accessibility, diversity, education, and collaboration, providing dance artists and their work space to grow in New York City through monthly performance platforms and year-round class and rehearsal space.

By Subway: N, Q, or the 7 to Queensboro Plaza, the first stop outside Manhattan. Take the North pedestrian bridge to the street. Look to your right, you will see Crescent St., turn right on Crescent and walk to 38th Ave. Turn left on 38th Ave. Walk one block to 24th street. Green Space is in the red brick, four-story building. (Approximately a ten-minute walk.)

SPONSORS FOR DANCE ENTROPY / GREEN SPACE
Green Space is supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, NYC Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and The Mertz Gilmore Foundation.