BALAM Dance Theatre to Return to Hunter, NY, with DANCING SHADOWS, 7/6-10

BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) will return to Hunter, New York from July 6 to 10 to present Dancing Shadows, an Indonesian shadow puppet and musical drama. BALAM, a New York City-based world dance company, in conjunction with Gamelan Son of Lion, a new music repertory ensemble based in downtown New York City specializing in contemporary pieces written for the instruments of the Javanese gamelan, will provide a new arts and educational enrichment workshop.

The centerpiece of this imaginative, fun workshop is inspired by Washington Irving's beloved tale, Rip Van Winkle, set in the Catskill Mountains, for children from the communities of Hunter and Tannersville, New York. The culmination of the company's third residency will be the dynamic ensemble performance of Dancing Shadows on July 10.

The children in Hunter, New York will present the new piece with BALAM Dance Theatre's performers and the Gamelan Son of Lion's musicians on Friday, July 10 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Hunter-Tannersville Elementary School Gymnasium, located at 7794 Main Street in Hunter, New York 12442. For further information contact, (518) 263-4256. The performance will be free and open to the public.

The children will experience the music and magic of an Indonesian shadow puppet play. During the workshop sessions, they will play percussion instruments, gongs and metallophones. Under the guidance of BALAM and Gamelan Son of Lion, they will act, dance, and become puppeteers. The students' work will explore fundamental concepts of dance making and performance, as articulated through the New York State Board of Education's arts guidelines.

BALAM offers a new vision of contemporary world dance inspired by Balinese theatre combined with ballet, modern and diverse cultural dance styles from around the world and historic periods. Barbara Romero, BALAM's Spanish Escuela Bolera dance expert, and Toshinori Hamada, BALAM's principal dancer and martial artist, will appear as Mr. and Mrs. Van Winkle in period costumes and guide the children in creating their choreographic segments for the story.

Gamelan Son of Lion's company members, who will perform live on gamelan instruments in the program, are Barbara Benary, puppeteer/musician; Lisa Karrer, narrator/musician; and David Simons, musical director/musician. Karrer will serve as the workshop's project director.

This arts intensive residency is presented through the Catskill Mountain Foundation Performing Arts Program at the Hunter-Tannersville Summer School Program with funding received in part through the New York State Council for the Arts and Friends of BALAM Dance Theatre.

Last summer, BALAM was in residence in the Hunter-Tannersville Summer School Program for one week. The company implemented the workshop, Discover the Splendors of Spain, inspired by the by the diverse dance traditions of that country on the Iberian Peninsula for children from the communities of Hunter and Tannersville, New York. The residency culminated with the children presenting a performance of their work to the community.

Founded as a contemporary dance company in 1979 by choreographer and movement researcher Islene Pinder, BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) joins diverse dances and historical periods from around the world with the dazzling opulence and magical aura of Balinese theatre. A New York City-based chamber company, BALAM creates an entertainment experience that appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The company's innovative artistry and movement fusion of athletic and detailed skills are enhanced by eclectic music, striking masks, vibrant costumes and fantasy stories.

Programs include customized choreographies, lectures, demonstrations, master classes and workshops that educate the community at the grassroots level. BALAM has been featured at numerous festivals and venues, including First Night New York, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and Downtown Dance Festival and appeared throughout the United States and internationally. Praise has been received from the New York Times and Village Voice, the Governor and people of Bali and the Indonesian Consulate of New York, as well as others.

For further information, call 646-361-9183 or visit BALAM Dance Theatre on its blog, www.balamdancetheatre.blogspot.com, follow the company on Facebook, www.facebook.com/balamdancetheatre and Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/BALAMDance or check for updates on Twitter @BALAMDance.

Pictured: Gamelan Son of Lion

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