Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts Announces 2016-2017 WORLD OF DANCE Series

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College is pleased to announce its 2016-17 World of Dance series. Since its inception in 1966, this series has showcased new works by more than 175 regional, national, and international companies. This year's lineup features the latest production from Buenos Aires tango company Estampas Porteñas, a celebration of the Chinese Year of the Rooster by the prestigious Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, and the much-anticipated returns of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica and Step Afrika!. Tickets to Brooklyn Center's World Dance series range from $25-$75 and can be purchased at BrooklynCenter.org or by calling the box office at 718-951-4500.

Other 2016-17 dance offerings include the annual presentation of Dance Theatre in Westchester's family-friendly The Colonial Nutcracker and the School of American Ballet's free The Beauty of Ballet.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2016-17 dance events include:

Direct from Buenos Aires
Estampas Porteñas

Deseos: Stories of Longing and Desire

Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 8pm, $36-$55

Founded in 1997 by distinguished dancer/choreographer Carolina Soler, Argentine tango company Estampas Porteñas returns to the U.S. with a spectacular new production celebrating the greatest artistic elements of Argentina, including the indomitable tango, the athletic malambo of the gauchos, and passionate musical styles ranging from soulful to celebratory. To date, the company has performed in over 20 countries on five continents and presented various productions including Tango Fire, Tango Feeling, and Entre Tangos y Firuletes.

Dance Theatre in Westchester
The Colonial Nutcracker
Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 2pm, $15

An annual holiday favorite, this family-friendly version of Tchaikovsky's ballet is set in wintry colonial Yorktown, complete with a red-coated mouse army, and enchanted nutcracker prince, and simultaneous narration to help young audiences enjoy this timeless classic. Recommended for ages four and up.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Rooster

Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 3pm, $25

The prestigious Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns to Brooklyn Center for their annual Lunar New Year performance. This all-new celebration of Chinese arts commemorates the Year of the Rooster, cousin to the mythical Phoenix, whose song awakens the world each morning and whose confidence and loyalty is well regarded. Delightful red lions, golden dragons, and white peacocks frolic and play to the exotic sounds of traditional instruments, while graceful dancers and astounding acrobats showcase the rich culture of one of Brooklyn's most vibrant communities. Since its inception in 1988, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company has toured nationally to more than 30 states as well as internationally. Bringing the dynamic freedom of American modern dance together with the elegant splendor of Asian art, the company is one of the most visible Asian American dance companies in America. nainichen.org.

In collaboration with the School of American Ballet
The Beauty of Ballet

Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 2pm

Tickets: FREE event, no tickets issued

Join students and faculty of the world-famous School of American Ballet (the official academy of New York City Ballet) in this program illustrating the process by which talented youngsters develop into accomplished classical ballet dancers. Your children will watch a "class" where training exercises and steps are demonstrated, and also enjoy excerpts from famous ballets. Recommended for ages four and up. sab.org

National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica

Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 8pm, $40-$75

Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 3pm, $36-$45

One of the premier dance companies in the Caribbean, NDTC blends the folklore, music, and dance of Jamaica, Africa, and the American South with modern and classical forms to create a vibrant celebration of West Indian culture. Celebrating their 55th Anniversary, their much-anticipated return to Brooklyn Center will feature two programs combining evocative new works with favorites from their extensive repertoire. Co-founded by Rex Nettleford and Eddy Thomas in 1962 at the time of Jamaica's Independence, NDTC has achieved a reputation for artistic excellence, developing much of its repertoire from authentic folk material and indigenous dance-forms from the West Indies. Currently lead by Artistic Director Barry Moncrieffe and Musical Director Ewan Simpson, the entirely Jamaican ensemble has performed in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and across the Caribbean.

Step Afrika!
Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 8pm, $25

With its origins in African American fraternities and sororities, stepping is known for its intricate, synchronized patterns of stomps, kicks, claps, and call-and response. As the world's first professional company dedicated to this art form, the dancers of Step Afrika! use their bodies as instruments, integrating stepping with African traditional dance and other dance forms to create a high-energy, sharply choreographed, and incredibly entertaining performance. Founded in 1994 by C. BrIan Williams and currently under the direction of Artistic Director Mfoniso Akpan, the company serves as a Cultural Ambassador for the United States and has performed across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. In addition, Step Afrika! serves over 30,000 students annually with its award-winning arts-education programs. stepafrika.org.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' 2016-17 World of Dance series is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation.

Multibuy discounts (four or more shows) save 15% off individual ticket prices. Multibuyers enjoy flexible ticket exchanges and discounted parking for purchased performances. 50% discount for children ages 12 and under is offered for select performances. Discounts are also available for seniors, students, Brooklyn College faculty/staff/alumni, active/retired military personnel, and groups. $10 student rush tickets available day-of-show.

The Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is located at the Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, closest to the 2 train at the Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue stop. Tickets can be purchase online at BrooklynCenter.org, or by calling 718-951-4500 (Tuesday-Saturday, 1pm-6pm). Groups of 15 or more may call 718-951-4600 x3331.

Founded in 1954, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College presents outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Each season, Brooklyn Center welcomes over 65,000 people to the 2,400 seat Whitman Theatre, including up to 45,000 schoolchildren from over 300 schools who attend their SchoolTime series, one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the borough.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' programs are supported, in part, by public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Brooklyn Center's 2016-17 Season is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

Major support for the 2016-17 season is provided by: Brooklyn College, Con Edison, TD Bank, National Grid, The Howard Gilman Foundation, the Jazz Touring Network, the Alice Lawrence Foundation, the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, the Mertz Gilmore Foundation, the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and the TD Charitable Foundation. Additional support provided by CNG Publications, The Brooklyn Eagle, Brooklyn Media Group, and WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM. The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn is the official hotel of Brooklyn Center's 2016-17 season. Backstage catering is graciously provided by Applebee's.

Brooklyn Center also acknowledges the following programmatic support for its 2016-17 season: Step Afrika! is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio and the Yosvany Terry Afro-Cuban Sextet are made possible through the Jazz Touring Network program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Coyote's Dance and Emeline Michel are part of The New York State Presenter-Artist Partnership Project made possible through a re-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.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges generous support from New York State Assembly members Annette Robinson and Helene Weinstein; New York City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams; New York City Council Cultural Affairs Committee Chair Jimmy Van Bramer; New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Tom Finkelpearl.

To post a comment, you must register and login.