Traditional Dance, Step, And Modern Among STG's 11th Annual DANCE This Performance

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents Dance This on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at The Paramount Theatre at 7:30pm. The annual performance features local teen artists and professional choreographers collaborating through cross-cultural Dance. Dance This 2009 includes over 120 performers featuring step, modern, acrobatics and traditional Dance from Mexico, Africa, the Middle East and Asia - all set to live music.

Since 1999, youth Dance groups, representing the cultural diversity of the greater Seattle region, are invited to participate in two performances - a matinee for community youth groups and an evening public performance. Dance This performance participants rehearse in the spring and more intensely during the two weeks leading up to the performances, including taking part in cross-cultural workshops, technical and dress rehearsals.

The performance connects Dance from across cultures, both traditionally rooted and contemporary in form. The culmination of the performers' experience is an explosive and celebratory group finale featuring 120 participants performing one another's Dance forms together, demonstrating the history and connection between Dance styles and cultures. Nationally acclaimed and visiting professional artists play an important role as teachers and choreographers, raising the caliber and innovation of the performance, year after year. Performing in such a high-quality performance empowers and teaches youth the value of commitment towards a professional goal.

This year's Dance This finale brings local choreographer Daniel Cruz together with Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), a Boston-based composer, conductor and violinist, to direct a piece that incorporates live music, Dance, acrobatics, martial arts with a blend of cultural influences from the United States, Mexico, Africa, the Middle East and Japan.

"We always strive to offer fresh new ways to experience Dance and movement -- this year's performance, with all live music continues that tradition. In addition we will highlight new local artists and communities - not just from the world of Dance, but from movement forms of martial arts, acrobatics and step. Lastly, for the first time we are inviting a teen choreographer from our professional training program, Young Choreographers Lab, to premiere her first work. This year's program is sure to make folks want to Dance," said Vicky Lee, STG Director of Education & Performance Programs.

The Dance This program receives support from NoStankYou, BECU, Boeing, PONCHO, ArtsFund, 4Culture, Seattle Foundation, City of Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Dance This has grown into a multi-faceted program that includes performances at The Paramount Theatre (youth matinee and evening public performance), a two-week summer Dance training intensive and diverse styles and new this year, Dance This Camp at Centrum.

The training intensive is located Seattle Center from June 22 - July 3 for students ages 13 - 22. Dance This Camp, located in Port Townsend at Centrum (Fort Worden State Park) will be held August 2 - 8 for students entering grades 9 - 12. Both programs invite students of all experience levels and feature a friends and family showcase at the end of the course. For registration and more information visit www.stgpresents.org/education.

Many Dance This participants demonstrate clear growth and development - beginning in the Dance This Intensive Training program; continuing in subsequent years in the Dance This performance; and ultimately advancing to pursue professional careers in Dance.

Dance This provides continuity in learning through opportunities to participate in STG's Dance engagements, such as master-classes, workshops, lecture/demonstrations and open rehearsals with professional Dancers and choreographers. Subsidized tickets are provided to professional Dance performances, exposing students to internationally renowned Dance companies and artists and enhancing their connection to the current professional Dance world.

Tickets: Dance This performance tickets are $23.00 in advance (not including fees) and are available online at www.stgpresents.org, by phone at (877)STG-4TIX or (877)784-4849, in person at The Paramount Theatre box office, Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm and The Paramount and Moore Theatre venue kiosks, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. The Paramount Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street in downtown Seattle. 

STG is committed to providing ongoing education and community opportunities with over 50 programs a year serving more than 20,000 students, artists and community members. Since 1999, STG has established ongoing young artist training and performance programs including Dance This and More Music @ The Moore. Access to the performing arts includes school residencies, community partnerships and a subsidized ticket program. For more information visit: www.stgpresents.org.

Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, Dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

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