Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/04/2021 -- This January, Dogtown Dance Theatre is excited to present a stunning collaborative dance work created by DMV based choreographer Keira Hart-Mendoza of Uprooted Dance. Dogtown Presenter's Series (DPS) is a two-week spotlight performance series that highlights independent dancers and organizations. Dogtown is home to many diverse dance and movement organizations that vary in style, from Latin and salsa dancing to Afro-Caribbean dance, Flamenco, modern dance, and hoop dance, to name a few. Each year, one artist is accepted through a submission based application process to present choreographic work in a series of professionally produced performances and community workshops in the Dogtown Presenter's Series. The Series increases community awareness of these exceptionally talented choreographers.

DPS is an innovative way of producing dance artists in the Richmond community. No other dance organization is providing the necessary resources needed for local artists to produce professional level concerts completely free of cost. Such resources include the rehearsal space, the technical production, marketing, public relations, and a guaranteed sizable financial stipend. The Series' mission is to expose Richmond audiences to choreographers who reflect the cultural diversity alive in dance today, to promote artists from a variety of dance styles and genres, and to support them in creating new works of expression.

One of the cornerstones to the Presenter's Series is collaboration. Dogtown encourages dance artists to work outside of their comfort zone and collaborate amongst one another and alongside artists that work within other genres. Dogtown is rooted in the belief that as independent dance artists, the blend of our artistic voices, audiences, and resources, will transform Richmond dance into a force to be reckoned with and a destination for dancers for years to come.

Dogtown's Executive Director, Jess Burgess, says: "Uprooted Dance and Keira Hart-Mendoza's talent for creating extravagant works from upcycled products is a feast for the eyes. The collaborative feat for this year's DPS is not to be missed by Richmond art lovers. Through immersive workshops with Richmond-based movement artists and visual artists, Keira and her company have created something truly unique within the dance and art community in Richmond."

The Ascension Project by UpRooted Dance, set to Sufjan Steven's Ascension Album, is an indie-rock dance opera offering audiences the chance to reflect on the events of the past year and the world we now live in through the lens of dance, music, and art. Exploring '20/20' vision, The Ascension Project will take audiences through an emotional trajectory through space and time. The work explores isolation in small spaces, anxiety, disability, trauma and loss, and finally ends with transcendence.

Based in the D.C. Metro area, UpRooted Dance creates intersections between dance and other art forms. Artistic Director, Keira Hart-Mendoza collaborates with interdisciplinary creatives to craft vibrant works. UpRooted Dance uses movement, sound, images, and text to immerse viewers through thought-provoking storytelling. This versatile company produces pathways from audiences to explore dance on stage and in unexpected locations.

The Ascension Project will incorporate dancers and visual artists from the Richmond area alongside Uprooted Dance's professional company. Richmond movement artists will comprise a whole act of the evening length work after working with Keira Hart Mendoza in an open movement workshop in October 2021. Visual artists will work with Mendoza in the early part of 2022 to help create the visual set pieces and scenery for the production.

The sixth annual Dogtown Presenter's Series will take place at Dogtown Dance Theatre January 14-22,2022. The Series will present Friday and Saturday night performances at 7PM. Tickets and more information about the 2022 Dogtown Presenter's Series can be found at https://www.dogtowndancetheatre.com/dps22.

Dogtown Dance Theatre gratefully acknowledges support for the 2022 Presenter's Series from the National Endowment for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County MD.

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Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/15/2021 -- DOGTOWN PRESENTER'S SERIES CELEBRATES

THE LIFE AND WORK OF MODERN DANCE PIONEER DANIEL NAGRIN

Dogtown Dance Theatre, like most performing arts organizations and venues, shut its doors during March 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's been an extremely challenging year, maneuvering through new restrictions and government mandates, while still wanting to support Dogtown artists and serve the mission to provide a home for dancers.

After what seems like a very long year, Dogtown is finally proud to announce its first limited capacity in-person performance scheduled for April 30 and May 1, 2021. In the return of the Dogtown Presenter's Series, Dogtown Dance Theatre is excited to host The Daniel Nagrin Celebration: A Concert of Solos by the Rebel of Modern Dance presented in coordination with the Daniel Nagrin Film, Theatre and Dance Foundation. Alongside the limited in-person performances, the show will also be available on Dogtown's new digital platform, Dogtown STREAM.

Daniel Nagrin's career as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher spanned over five decades: from the world of Broadway where he was once voted Best Male Dancer, to films, solo concert artist, and university professor at Arizona State University. He was associated with modern dance founder Helen Tamaris and co-directed the TAMARIS-NAGRIN DANCE COMPANY. He later directed THE WORKGROUP, an improvisational dance company. Mr. Nagrin is the creator and performer of an extensive solo dance repertory which he toured from 1957 throughout the United States, Europe, and the Pacific. He received numerous grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, The New York State Council for the Arts, and Arizona State University among others. He received honorary doctorates from the State University of New York and Arizona State University, and was awarded one of the first $20,000 fellowship awards for Master Teacher/Mentors by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1993. As a Professor Emeritus of Dance at ASU, Mr. Nagrin focused his energies on writing on dance. His first book, How To Dance Forever, has become a handbook bible for many in the dance profession.

The Daniel Nagrin Theatre, Film & Dance Foundation oversees the estate, historical content and educational implementation of the work of American Modern Dancer and Master Teacher Daniel Nagrin. More information about the Foundation can be found at https://nagrin.org/.

Performers for The Daniel Nagrin Celebration: A Concert of Solos will include male dancers from an impressive line of careers in modern dance. Audiences will enjoy solos choreographed by Daniel Nagrin performed by Paul Dennis, Donald Laney, Shane O'Hara, Matthew Pardo, and Desmin Taylor.

Shane O'Hara, professor of dance at James Madison University, works professionally setting commissioned dances throughout the U.S., performing a concert of dance master Daniel Nagrin's solo works entitled The Nagrin Project and touring as Shane O'Hara * Solo Dance. In 2007 he presented The Nagrin Project at the Centre de National de la Danse in Paris. He worked closely with dance master Daniel Nagrin for over 25 years and has been working with the Daniel Nagrin Foundation in developing projects related to the dances of Mr. Nagrin and his teaching philosophies. Mr. O'Hara has shared his art with audiences throughout the United States and the world including concerts in Lisbon, Athens, Krakow, Rio de Janeiro, Chengdu, China, New York, and Washington, D.C. He has worked closely with the thompson & trammell dance company in residencies in Poland, Denmark, Portugal and Germany. He also was a guest instructor at Pro Danza Italia Summer Workshop in Tuscany, the Florida Dance Festival, and at the White Mountain Summer Dance Festival.

Paul Dennis, earned his BFA at the Juilliard School, and MFA at Purchase College, Conservatory of Dance. An Associate Professor at UMass Amherst and a former member of Jose Limon Dance Company, Paul was also Associate Director of the White Mountains Summer Dance Festival. As a Five College faculty member, he teaches at Mount Holyoke, Amherst, and Hampshire Colleges. His career includes performances with Works/Laura Glenn Dance, Jacob's Pillow Men's Dancers: The Ted Shawn Legacy, Janis Brenner and Dancers, Scapegoat Garden, a 1995 White House performance and Florence's "White Nights Festival'' at Palazzo Vecchio Salone De Cinquecento. Paul's creative activities include an internationally touring solo concert featuring repertory by Reggie Wilson, Deborah Goffe, Jose Limon, Eve Gentry, Pearl Primus and Daniel Nagrin. He has been in residence with Dance International and adjudicator for Certamen International de Choreografia, in Burgos, Spain; guest artist/faculty at International Dance Association in Ravenna, CivitanovaDanza, Italy. Paul is the regisseur of masterpieces of Ted Shawn, Jose Limon, Pearl Primus, Ted Hershey and Doris Humphrey for numerous companies including Scuola di Ballo Accademia Teatro alla Scala, The Limon Company and The Rome Opera Ballet.

Donald Laney is currently on faculty at Western Illinois University in the Department of Theatre and Dance. He spent over 15 years as the Producing Artistic Director of the West Virginia Dance Company, West Virginia's only professional touring dance company. Mr. Laney graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with an MFA in Dance. Since 2005, he has been the Master Teacher in Modern Dance at the WV Governor's School for the Arts and in 2018 received the WV Governor's Award for "Leadership in the Arts."

Matt Pardo holds a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2016) and an advanced honors B.F.A from the University at Buffalo (2007). He has danced for the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Groundworks Dance Theater, RG Dance Projects, and the River North Chicago Dance Company (apprentice). He was recognized as one of the "Top 100 Dancers in the World for 2010-2011", one of 10 Americans, by Dance Europe Magazine. Pardo is a co-founder of the Pittsburgh-based organization The Blanket, which has been featured in Dance Magazine-online, Departures Magazine (American Express), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the US News and World Report. The Blanket has been funded by The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, Opportunity Fund, Arts Equity & Education Fund, PNC Charitable Trust, and The William and Catherine McKinney Charitable Foundation, as well as by private donors. Publications include an article in the Journal of Dance Education exploring how to develop a practice of performance and an insert in the Genius Guide to College Dance Programs by Angela Carter. Pardo is also an assistant professor of dance at James Madison University.

Desmin Taylor is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in Richmond, Virginia who began his dance journey late, starting in 2014. He quickly developed a passion for taking class throughout the DMV and North Carolina dance community participating in many classes, intensives, and workshops in various styles of dance including hip hop, urban, modern, contemporary, jazz, and more. Desmin has trained and performed with various dance crews such as Blank Canvas of VCU, Pace Setters Dance, and Studio 4 Dance Agency. He currently teaches at 4 different dance studios in Virginia, while currently in his 7th professional season with RVA Dance Collective, a premier modern dance company based in Richmond. He is also the founder of RVA Dance Life which is a workshop series that gives different teachers a chance to share their movement and knowledge with the Richmond dance community and is now finishing off its 4th successful season.

The Dogtown Presenter's Series is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the Julia and Tunnicliff Fox Charitable Trust.

For more information and tickets, please visit http://www.dogtowndancetheatre.com/dps21. Virtual performances will be available beginning May 7, 2021 on Dogtown STREAM at www.dogtown.vhx.tv and on iOS applications and Roku.

Press Contact: Jess Burgess, jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com

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WELCOME TO DOGTOWN STREAM!

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/03/2021 -- As Dogtown Dance Theatre continues to pivot in the COVID-19 landscape, the organization is set to premiere a brand new virtual streaming platform for performance archives and new dance offerings in 2021. The platform will offer different subscription models allowing access to streaming performances that can be enjoyed via Vimeo on any electronic device, from the comfort of one's own home.

Viewers will soon be able to enjoy exclusive access to three of Dogtown's mainstage 2021 performances: Mardi Gras, Richmond Dance Festival, and Dogtown Presenters Series. Audiences on the subscription-based model will be able to view the entire season anytime at a flat rate. Performances will also be available for individual rental. Viewers will also have access to archival performances free of charge, including past performances at both Richmond Dance Festival and Dogtown Presenters Series. These many exciting options allow viewers total control over their engagement with Dogtown's content, and make viewing dance from home easy, affordable, and accessible! Viewers will even be able to access content via app, meaning users can beam flawless video anywhere, live or on demand. Apps will be available for download for smart TVs, Apple devices, Roku, and iOS.

Beyond performances, Dogtown has plans to leverage the power and innovation of the Vimeo platform to continue to support independent artists during this time. Utilizing the streaming capabilities of the platform, Dogtown will partner directly with artists to produce and support independent projects. Artists will have a platform to create and showcase their work and expand their audience into the digital realm. Viewers will gain exclusive access to innovative and original content produced by these artists, all made accessible and affordable via the Vimeo virtual presentation platform.

Dogtown Dance Theatre strives to support all artists, who are established or rising, and seeks to present new and exciting ways to give back to the Richmond community. The new Vimeo streaming platform will provide Dogtown artists the opportunity to create work while minimizing the financial and logistical obstacles of performance and production.

The development and implementation of this exciting new technology is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the E Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation with fiscal support through the Virginia Repertory Theatre.

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a home for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enliven our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

Media Contact
Jess Burgess
Artistic & Executive Director
109 W 15TH St.
Richmond, VA 23224
(804) 658 - 7781
jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com

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Dogtown Dance Theatre & Brooklyn-based Cora Dance bring attention to social activism

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/10/2020 -- Dogtown is proud to announce a compelling new spring performance and community project event: UpRISE @ Dogtown, a collaborative venture between NYC based professional arts center, Cora Dance, and Dogtown that aims to use live performance as an entry point for unpacking and addressing concerns that affect our communities. Piloted in Brooklyn, NY throughout the 2019-2020 season by Cora Dance, UpRISE featured a series of live performances, discussions, and calls-to-action that allowed for cross-pollination between dance-goers and community service organizations.

Dogtown will be producing the next iteration of Cora's UpRISE series in our theater on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 7:30PM bringing focus to concerns around immigration and community division in the Richmond community. The event will feature the presentation of Elsewhere, the critically-acclaimed evening-length work by choreographer and Cora Dance Artistic Director, Shannon Hummel. Originally created in 2005 for the professional company Shannon Hummel/Cora Dance, Elsewhere examines the duality of hope in the face of abrupt loss, asking if remembering or forgetting what came before holds more power to sustain those surviving the aftermath. Using the universal emotional entry points inside Hummel's work, a post-show discussion with between artists and audience will reflect on the choreography, its process of creation and the experience of grappling with hope and coping with loss as a means of art-making. The discussion will then turn toward more specific realities that reflect these experiences, in particular those brought on by immigrant family separation by ICE and the effects of chronic division in Richmond and nationwide. Richmond community leaders will share information about important work being done to address these issues and how to get involved in creating unity, harmony and positive change.

Aligning with the focus on children and family concerns, this professional evening-length work has been reimagined in 2019-2020 and is powerfully performed by Cora Dance's Youth Apprentices, ages 12-17, who are confined by the audience throughout this unconventional performance in a small circle of audience members no more than 15 feet across. This performance in the round puts the dancers' struggles and moments of tenderness in extremely close proximity to the audience - often in direct contact - and places the audience as the unanticipated barrier to any exit, complicit in impeding escape.

Post-show discussions will be led by performing artist, VCU graduate and current Cora Dance company member, Katie Dean. Discussions include members of the Richmond community at the forefront of immigration support and artmaking including Tanya Gonzales, Executive Director of Sacred Heart Community Center; Alicia Diaz, Associate Professor of Dance at The University of Richmond and leading social activist in Richmond; and Kevin LaMarr Jones, member of the Board of Directors of Dogtown Dance Theatre and Artistic Director of the Afro-Carribean dance collective CLAVES UNIDOS. In addition, NY City Councilmember and Immigration Committee Chair, Carlos Menchaca, will be present to participate in the conversation, which aims to spark concrete means of engagement in addressing these issues in the Richmond community and beyond.

Admittance to the performance and post-show discussion will be pay-what-you-can, with a suggested price of $15. Dogtown is offering this admittance structure in hopes that the organization can truly make an impact and create a safe space for art as a catalyst to these important conversations. No one will be denied entry to the show because of an inability to pay.

Dogtown Dance Theatre and Cora Dance seek to make UpRISE @ Dogtown an annual project, building momentum for future performances and opportunities that create change through art and social justice collaboration. Both organizations have lengthy histories as distinctly integrated institutions where diverse voices are valued, challenging work is placed at the forefront and multifarious opportunities for communities to gain access to quality arts offerings are prioritized. We hope you will join us for the inaugural year of the UpRISE @ Dogtown and take part in making a lasting impact within our community.

Dogtown Dance Theatre and Cora Dance thank Earlynn J. Miller and Don Albright for their generous support of UpRISE @ Dogtown.

UpRISE @ Dogtown At-A-Glance

WHEN: February 22, 2020
WHERE: Dogtown Dance Theatre
109 W. 15th Street, Richmond, VA 23224
TICKETS: Pay-what-you-can, suggested $15
MORE INFORMATION: www.dogtowndancetheatre.com and www.coradance.org

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre is a home for performing artists to create and present their
work while developing the skills needed to thrive. We seek to enliven our local community by encouraging expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

About Cora Dance
Through its professional company, youth companies, wraparound services and pay-what-you-can school, Cora Dance creates exceptional dance experiences while addressing the impediments that often restrict individuals from accessing the art form due to affordability and other often unaddressed factors. Cora's approach to choreography, training and community engagement invites people to find common ground and build a sense of community with one another through the arts, allowing all involved—artists, students, audiences and community members—to connect more deeply with one another. Cora is dance for everyone, offering great art and rare opportunities for intersection. Everything is pay-what-you-can. No one is ever turned away from a class or performance based on what or if they can pay.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Join us for the biggest family-friendly Mardi Gras event in Richmond!

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/14/2020 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre presents the 10th annual Mardi Gras RVA on February 22, 2020. This family-friendly event will have a multitude of diverse performances by Dogtown's own artists, live music from Elana Lisa and the Hot Mess, an interactive parade including local businesses and artists, and authentic styled New Orleans food served by Sophia's International Cuisine. Dogtown's Mardi Gras RVA celebration is going to be one of the biggest family-friendly events to promote local arts and businesses in Richmond.

To start off the festivities, there will be a Mardi Gras-themed parade at 3:30PM, beginning at 15th Street and Bainbridge Street. Parade participants will dance, sing, and entertain the Manchester community for ten blocks. The community is invited to come watch and participate in the parade. It will be an event unlike any other for Mardi Gras!

Following the parade, there will be performances in Dogtown's Theater from 4PM to 8:30PM. Tickets for attendance are $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and children under the age of 5 may attend for free. There will be many talented performers to enjoy, like RVA Dance Collective and RVA Dance Junior Ensemble, CLAVES UNIDOS, Dogwood Dance Project, Salsa Connection, Richmond Urban Dance, Studio 4 Dance Agency, Pole Pressure, Ajna Tribal Bellydance, BeMoved with Julinda Lewis, SHiNE Dance, and River City Rueda. These performances will showcase a variety of dances, including modern, African, hip hop, belly dancing, Latin and salsa, and many more. You will never experience a dull moment at this spectacular event!

In between performances, live music will be provided by Elana Lisa and the Hot Mess to get the crowd moving. There will also be delicious treats to try from Sophia's International Cuisine, and Legend Brewing Company will have drinks for audiences to enjoy. There will be activities for the whole family to enjoy, like face painting, balloon animals, and many more!

Mardi Gras RVA is an opportunity for Dogtown to celebrate the Manchester community by coming together to support local artists and businesses. Dogtown wants everyone to experience the amazing talent that is around them everywhere. This will be an experience that all ages will enjoy and won't want to miss out on! Come join us for our most exciting celebration on Richmond's Southside in February right before Fat Tuesday!

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Call for choreographers and dance film artists!

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/04/2019 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre is proud to present the 7th annual Richmond Dance Festival, April 24 through May 9, 2020. This three-weekend festival features local and national dance artists, as well as international dance film artists in the heart of historic Manchester in Richmond, VA.

The festival includes live performances, as well as screenings of dance on film. Each year, Richmond Dance Festival will showcase the work of 18 choreographers and 9 film artists. Previous festivals have included choreographers from Richmond, VA, New York, San Francisco, Chicago as well as international and national dance film artists.

Submission Guidelines:
Choreographers and dance film artists may only submit one work
Submissions should not exceed 10 minutes in length
All choreographers and dancers must be available for all three weekends of performances and technical rehearsals if accepted into the festival
Selected choreographers will be chosen for one weekend of performances
Technical rehearsals will be Thursday and Friday of the show weekend
Submissions should be complete works, not works-in-progress

If the submission video link has a password, please be sure to include that password in the additional comments section of the form

A submission fee of $10 must be paid via PayPal at the bottom of the form to be considered

Choreographers and dance film artists will receive notification of submission status by late

Choreographers will receive a monetary stipend for participation in the festival, however travel and lodging if necessary are the responsibility of the travelling artist

There will be one financial award for the highest scored dance film submission

Submissions must be sent via online form at www.dogtowndancetheatre.com/rdf20 or through FilmFreeway for dance film artists

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre is a home for performing artists to create and present their work while developing the skills needed to thrive. We seek to enliven our local community by encouraging expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

Media Contact: Jess Burgess, Artistic & Executive Director
Email: jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com
Phone: 804.658.7781

Richmond Dance Festival Celebrates Diversity in Dance
Call for Choreographers and Dance Film Artists
Submissions Open October 3, 2019 - January 31, 2020

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The fourth annual Dogtown Presenter's Series takes Richmond to another generation through dance, music, and scenic design

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/19/2019 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2019
Press Contact: Jess Burgess, jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com

DOGTOWN PRESENTER'S SERIES INVITES RICHMOND AUDIENCES TO THE STRUCTURAL
WORLD OF 1950s ARCHITECTURAL HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHER FAN HO
IN A THREE DIMENSIONAL DANCE EXPERIENCE

This fall, Dogtown Dance Theatre is excited to present a stunning collaborative dance work created by local Richmond choreographer Kara Robertson of KARAR DANCE COMPANY. Dogtown Presenter's Series (DPS) is a two-week spotlight performance series that highlights the independent artists and organizations in Richmond, VA. Dogtown is home to many diverse dance and movement organizations that vary in style, from Latin and salsa dancing to Afro-Caribbean dance, Flamenco, modern dance, and hoop dance, to name a few. Each fall, one artist is accepted through a submission based application process to present choreographic work in a series of professionally produced performances and community workshops in the Dogtown Presenter's Series. The Series increases community awareness of the artists that call Richmond home.

DPS is an innovative way of producing dance artists in the Richmond community. No other dance organization is providing the necessary resources needed for local artists to produce professional level concerts completely free of cost. Such resources include the rehearsal space, the technical production, marketing, public relations, and a guaranteed sizeable financial stipend of $3,000. The Series' mission is to expose Richmond audiences to choreographers who reflect the cultural diversity alive in dance today, to promote artists from a variety of dance styles and genres, and to support them in creating new works of expression.

One of the cornerstones to the Presenter's Series is collaboration. Dogtown encourages dance artists work outside of their comfort zone and collaborate amongst one another and alongside artists that work within other genres. Dogtown is rooted in the belief that as independent dance artists, the blend of our artistic voices, audiences, and resources, will transform Richmond dance into a force to be reckoned with and a destination for dancers for years to come.

Dogtown's Executive Director, Jess Burgess, says: "KARAR DANCE COMPANY and Kara Robertson are an exquisite example of Richmond choreographers producing ground-breaking dance experiences for our community. The collaborative feat for this year's DPS will be a truly immersive experience for Richmond art lovers."

Kara Robertson will premiere a new evening length work Circadian with her Richmond-based modern dance company KARAR DANCE COMPANY. Circadian draws inspiration from Fan Ho's architectural photographs of 1950's and 1960's Hong Kong, titled Hong Kong Yesterday. The piece is rooted in the beauty of simplicity, reflecting movement in stillness and human habitual nature. Set design challenges the traditional dance performance space by breaking multiple boundaries for choreographer, dancers, and audience. Bringing the collaboration to the stage, the work embodies the juxtaposition of stillness and pure-movement in abstract storytelling through the use of movement, sight, and sound. This new work is performed in the round, visually creating boundaries for dancers, yet opening up endless possibilities of movement through the use of original architectural set and lighting design as well as music composition.

Five dancers showcase the value of routine, a theme often depicted in Ho's photographs. Utilizing movement that captures simplistic beauty, the dancers transition through individuality and conformity, representing the effects of varying routines. The culmination of choreography and performance, set design by Crux Scenica, lighting design by Weston Corey, and an original music score by Ryan Davis, showcases multiple elements from varying artistic disciplines; each inspires, enhances and essentially alters the others' art form, creating a collaborative professional evening of dance performance.

Set design is constructed by scenic designers Christina Delli Santi and Joshua Bennett of Crux Scenica. This asymmetrical grid-like set hangs parallel to the stage floor from the grid in the theater.

Weston Corey's lighting design flirts with the scenic grid revealing the dancers below. Lighting shifts and evolves to dictate audience focus. The marriage of both set construction and lighting design creates additional depth to this piece, adding visual elements that would not be possible without the partnership among artists. Corey's lighting design guides the dancers through the space, playing off of the set, offering mystery and wonder.

Ryan Davis' original score accompanies the performance. This composition propels the work by varying dynamics and spacing, shifting movement quality, and inspiring the overall kinetic range. Music is developed organically along with the choreography of the work to create an overall arch for the audience to both hear and see the evolution of the evening-length work.

The fourth annual Dogtown Presenter's Series will take place at Dogtown Dance Theatre October 18-26, 2019. The Series will present Friday and Saturday night performances at 7PM and Saturday matinee performances at 3PM.

Dogtown Dance Theatre is proud to announce that the Dogtown Presenter's Series will be our mainstage event in recognition for #artoberVA, a month-long celebration of arts and culture events hosted by CultureWorks Richmond. More information on #artoberVA can be found at https://richmondcultureworks.org/about-artoberva. Tickets and more information about the 2019 Dogtown Presenter's Series can be found at https://www.dogtowndancetheatre.com/dps2019.

Dogtown Dance Theatre gratefully acknowledges support for the 2019 Presenter's Series from the National Endowment for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and Julia and Tunnicliff Fox Charitable Trust.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Call for Choreographers and Dance Film Artists. Submissions Open October 3, 2018 - January 31, 2019

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/04/2018 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre is proud to present the 6th annual Richmond Dance Festival, April 26 through May 11, 2019. This three-weekend festival features local and national dance artists, as well as international dance film artists in the heart of historic Manchester in Richmond, VA.

The festival includes live performances, as well as screenings of dance on film. Each year, Richmond Dance Festival will showcase the work of 18 choreographers and 9 film artists. Previous festivals have included choreographers from Richmond, VA, New York, San Francisco, Chicago as well as international and national dance film artists.

Submission Guidelines:

Choreographers and dance film artists may only submit one work

Submissions should not exceed 10 minutes in length

All choreographers and dancers must be available for all three weekends of performances and technical rehearsals if accepted into the festival

Technical rehearsals will be Thursday and Friday of the show weekend

Submissions should be complete works, not works-in-progress

If the submission video link has a password, please be sure to include that password in the additional comments section of the form

A submission fee of $10 must be paid via PayPal at the bottom of the form to be considered

Choreographers and dance film artists will receive notification of submission status by late

Choreographers will receive a monetary stipend for participation in the festival, however travel and lodging if necessary are responsibility of the travelling artist

There will be one financial award for the highest scored dance film submission

Submissions must be sent via online form at http://www.dogtowndancetheatre.com/rdf19 or through FilmFreeway for dance film artists.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/09/2018 -- This fall, the Dogtown Presenter's Series is taking Richmond to the Dark Side of the Moon. Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of Pink Floyd's prolific album, the Dogtown Presenter's Series (DPS) seeks to bring together a diverse crowd of music lovers and dance lovers for an unforgettable theater experience. From the artistic vision of Dogtown's Artistic & Executive Director and RVA Dance Collective's Co-Founder and Director, Jess Burgess, Dark Side of the Moon will explore the ideas found in Pink Floyd's music and lyrics through a story of movement.

Through physical dance exploration, Dark Side of the Moon discusses the philosophical and physical elements of existence that can lead to a person's insanity and feelings of an unfulfilled life. The iconic album is a cautionary tale in two parts: the first half describing this unfulfilled life, the second half consisting of individual songs depicting detrimental aspects of society. The philosophical ideas in the second half of the album reflect the madness that is the root cause of the elements explored in the first half of the album.

Dark Side of the Moon's choreography pushes dancers with driven physicality, embodying the linear existence to which we conform in society through part one, while letting disorder and madness take over in the second half, ultimately leading to still one conclusion: "All that's to come and everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon." Humanity's infinite potential to persist and survive in the face of adversity is represented by the life-giving sun; yet, the sun is still eclipsed by the moon.

This year's DPS is more than a dance performance; it is a collaboration of talented Richmond artists. This one-of-a-kind collaboration features contemporary dance company, RVA Dance Collective with special guests Dogwood Dance Project and RADAR, merging three of Richmond's independent dance companies for one exceptional, large-scale performance supported by an elaborate, moving set and props.

The performance will be visually stunning thanks to its creative, masterful set, currently under construction by local visual artist and photographer, Mike Keeling. Keeling is a resident artist at Crossroads Arts Center, and frequently has gallery installations at ArtWorks Galleries and Studios, as well as Dogtown Dance Theatre. Keeling's constructions are vital to the storytelling component of this evening-length dance work, including dancers manipulating a 10-foot slide throughout the entirety of the work, alongside a human-sized, revolving hamster wheel resting on a 12-foot mountain depicting the eponymous moon.

The Dogtown Presenter's Series is intended to be a fully immersive experience, showing dance can be accessible to everyone, regardless of their prior experiences or relationship with dance.

"You don't have to enjoy modern dance to enjoy Dark Side of the Moon, and you don't have to enjoy Dark Side of the Moon to enjoy this truly unique showcase of amazing RVA modern dance talent," says choreographer, Jess Burgess. "The visual components of this year's Presenter's Series will be stunning and unlike anything RVA has ever seen. The work of Mike Keeling is the perfect compliment to these talented dancers and the album. We are so excited for September."

Experience the Dark Side of the Moon September 21, 22, 28 and 29. Friday shows are at 7 pm, Saturday shows are at 3:30 and 7 pm. For additional information about the Dogtown Presenter's Series: Dark Side of the Moon, as well as other upcoming shows, please visit dogtowndancetheatre.com.

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre is a home for performing artists to create and present their work while developing the skills needed to thrive. We seek to enliven our local community by encouraging expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations. Dogtown acts as a multi-faceted support system for the artists who call the theatre "home." Through our in-house programs and our beautifully renovated historic space, Dogtown strives to facilitate the growth and progress of artists in our community.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Dogtown Dance Theatre presents 4th Annual Richmond Dance Festival April 21– May 6, 2017

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/06/2017 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre presents the 4th annual Richmond Dance Festival, April 21 through May 6, 2017. This three-weekend festival will feature both local and national dance artists as well as international dance film artists in the heart of the historic district of Manchester in Richmond, VA. The festival will consist of live performances as well as dance for camera film screenings. This year's performances include choreographers that excel in modern dance, hip hop, contemporary ballet, and traditional African influenced dance styles, solidifying Richmond Dance Festival's commitment to create a common ground for diverse audiences to come together and enjoy dance art.

Richmond Dance Festival will show works by familiar local dance artists including Victoria Fink (Richmond choreographer and Old Dominion University and William and Mary dance faculty), whose new work Displaced, set on RVA Dance Collective, premiered during the 2016 In Light Richmond Festival presented by 1708 Gallery. The work is a multimedia dance piece made in collaboration with Richmond film artist Torian Ugworji and explores how elements of culture, class, and history can affect a person's home physically and psychologically. Two recent VCU Dance graduates, Johnnie Mercer (Johnnie Cruise Mercer/TheREDprojectNYC) and Chloe Bowman (ChloeIsaBow + Co, Brooklyn) are returning to Richmond to present work in the festival. These VCU dance alum are successfully creating and presenting work in New York after their graduation, and Dogtown is excited to bring their work home for Richmond Dance Festival.

Nationally acclaimed dance artist Winifred Haun will be presented the second weekend of the festival. Winifred Haun & Dancers is a professional contemporary dance company led by award winning choreographer, Winifred Haun. Founded in Chicago in the 1990's, the company has produced over 125 original dance works, including one full length ballet, and participated in over 300 public performances and events. Winifred Haun & Dancers has garnered many awards and accolades, including features in the Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun-Times. Major awards include the 2000 Ruth Page Award for "Outstanding Contribution to Dance" and the Oak Park Area Arts Council's 2009 "Best in Class" Award. In 2015, the company received an award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's International Connections Fund to perform and create a new work in Melbourne, Australia.

Richmond Dance Festival will also present dance film artists from around the globe. Dance for camera is a dance art form in which dance is a central theme of a film. At its best, dance films use filming and editing techniques to create twists in the plotline, multiple layers of reality, and emotional or psychological depth. This year's festival artists include David Strindberg, originally from Sweden, a film director based in London, UK. He creates music videos, fashion-, art-, dance- and short films, often with a concept developed from unexpected sources. David started out as a visual effects artist in 2006 but soon moved in to film directing. His works have been exhibited and screened at several festivals and galleries across Europe including The Swedish Museum of Photography, BUG, Zita, KRAF, Stockholm Dance Film Festival.

Richmond Dance Festival is also proud to present the dance for camera work "Moving Southwark" created by choreographer and creative director, Jevan Chowdry. He is part of the board of trustees for Visiting Arts United Kingdom, and Director of Moving Cities, an award winning project presenting world cultures headfirst thorough dance. His work in London, Paris, Prague, and Athens has earned significant accolades with recent nominations in Sweden, Spain, the US, and the UK.

Richmond Dance Festival is one of the main programming initiatives of Dogtown Dance Theatre that supports the organization's mission to be a home for all independent artists. The festival exists to support choreographers and dance for camera artists who are established or rising and exposure of their art to an audience. This festival provides an opportunity for artists to avoid the obstacles of performance, such as production and marketing costs, while offering them the privileges of performing in front of a diverse audience, made up of members throughout the entire Richmond community.

The 2017 production of the Richmond Dance Festival is made possible in part by grant funding from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, with fiscal sponsorship through the Virginia Repertory Theatre.

Donation based community dance workshops will be offered by the festival artists and all proceeds will help support Dogtown's mission to enlighten the Richmond community through creative expression and education across diverse populations. Each weekend will feature a variety of diverse talented dance artists whose artistic zest bring life to Dogtown's theater and reaffirms Richmond as the creative hub of Central Virginia.

For more information about Richmond Dance Festival, please visit http://www.dogtowndancetheatre.com

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a home for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enlighten our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

Media Contact:
Jess Burgess
Artistic & Executive Director
109 W 15th Street, Richmond VA 23224
jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com
804-658-7781

Richmond Dance Festival
Friday and Saturday Shows at 7PM
April 21,22, 28,29 and May 5,6
Tickets: $15 General Admission
$10 Students
Saturday Master Classes: April 22, 28 and May 6
11:00AM and 12:30PM
Classes are donation-based, suggested $10

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/10/2017 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre returns for their 6th annual Mardi Gras RVA event featuring a diverse arrangement of live music and performances. The day will be full of merriment and fun for the whole family, with performances by Dogtown's own artists, live music with the Happy Lucky Combo, Cajun food catered by Sophia's International Cuisine, a community parade that everyone can participate in, and tons of activities throughout the day. Dogtown's annual Mardi Gras RVA event is the biggest family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration in the Richmond metro area.

The day will kick off with the parade at 3:00 PM at West 15th Street and Bainbridge. Parade participants will dance, sing and invigorate the Manchester community for four blocks. All people are encouraged to come watch and participate in the parade.

The main event will happen in Dogtown's theatre from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children between 5 and 12, and children under 5 are free. Many talented groups will be performing: such as RVA Dance Collective, CLAVES UNIDOS, Circular Expressions, Studio 4 Dance Company, Pole Pressure, Electric Nomad Dance Studio (formerly Illumination Dance) Ajna Tribal Belly Dance Troupe, and Latin Vintage Salsa Dance Productions. These performances have a wide variety from salsa, to modern dance, belly dancing, hip-hop, African, and more. There will never be a dull moment with these performers.

In between performances, Happy Lucky Combo will be jamming so the audience can join in on the dance party, delicious food will be available, and there will be balloon animals, face painting, and activities for families and children.

Mardi Gras is a time to celebrate the Manchester community by coming together and highlighting local artists and businesses that help make up this unique part of Richmond. Dogtown wants the Manchester community to see what kinds of amazing talent is hidden just around the corner. Dogtown's Mardi Gras celebration is going to be the biggest event on Richmond's Southside in February, so come join us on the Saturday before Mari Gras!

Mardi Gras RVA Details:
When: Feburary 25th, 2017
What: Mardi Gras RVA
Who: Open to the public and family-friendly
Where: Dogtown Dance Theatre

Additional: Parade starts at 3:00 PM. Performances, live music and food from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a name for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enlighten our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

Press Contact:
Jess Burgess, jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com, 804-230-8780
Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 W. 15th Street, Richmond VA, 23224

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Submissions open through Jan. 31, 2017

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/03/2016 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre is now accepting applications for the 4th annual Richmond Dance Festival, which will be held April 21 – May 6, 2017. The Richmond Dance Festival will consist of live dance performances and film screenings presented by dance artists located in the Richmond, Virginia area and beyond. Dogtown Dance Theatre uses the Richmond Dance Festival to help aspiring and established artists present their work to the Richmond community at no cost to the artists.

Richmond Dance Festival (RDF) exists as a series of spring weekend performances that showcase a variety of artistic works to the community of Richmond, Virginia. This annual festival is one of the many initiatives of Dogtown Dance Theatre to support artists who are established or rising, and seeking to present their work to an audience. RDF is a promotion of dance that brings together choreographic work through live performance, film, and master classes. The festival is an opportunity for artists to avoid the obstacles of performance such as production and marketing costs, and still offers them the same privileges of performing in front of a diverse audience, made up of members throughout the entire Richmond community.

Dogtown Dance Theatre has consistently been attributed to the revitalization and raised-awareness of the dance community within the city limits of Richmond, Virginia. This publicity has been well deserved as Dogtown facilitates free and low-cost professional-level classes and two main stage productions each season. Continuing this trend of excellence, Dogtown is looking to broaden its influence outside of Richmond and across the entire eastern seaboard.

Richmond Dance Festival held its inaugural event in the spring of 2014, which consisted of only Rob Petres' Ground Zero Dance and his circle of friends' other modern dance styles. The 2015 Richmond Dance Festival opened invited other modern dance companies from Richmond, widening Dogtown's circle of local dance participation. With money raised through crowdfunding and the 2015 E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation grant, Dogtown Dance Theatre achieved an increased amount of supporting patrons as well as more artists from Richmond and beyond interested in showcasing their work.

The 2016 Richmond Dance Festival consisted of artistic works from 16 national choreographers with six dance film artists. Choreographers were chosen to perform through an application process to maximize diversity and creativity. At the conclusion of this festival, choreographers are awarded a stipend for their work in the festival, an amount uncommon for choreographers to earn in a single dance showcase within the United States. As a result, this unique feature has already increased the amount of interest in participation for future choreographers in RDF. For the 2017 Richmond Dance Festival, Dogtown Dance Theatre plans to maintain the current structure of live performances, film, and master classes.

Dogtown Dance Theatre is seeking dance submissions of completed works to be presented during one of the weekend dates of the festival. Submissions for the festival will be accepted beginning October 3, 2016 through January 31, 2017 via our online application form at www.dogtowndancetheatre.com. Artists may submit more than one piece of work and are allowed to share a submission. Artists will be expected to work as a collaborative team to promote the festival. All types of dance are encouraged to participate.

Richmond Dance Festival 2016 Submission Details:
When: October 1, 2015 - January 29, 2016
What: Completed dance works
Who: Artists that are interested in having their work professionally presented
Where: Dogtown Dance Theatre, Richmond, Virginia
Additional: Stipends will be awarded to participating artists and organizations

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a name for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enlighten our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fun for the whole family!

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/02/2016 -- The Dogtown Presenter's Series is a two-week fall celebration that will highlight independent artists and organizations rehearsing and teaching at Dogtown Dance Theatre. The show will be performed on Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM on October 14, 15, 21, and 22 as well as a 2:00PM matinee performance on both Saturdays October 15 and 22. Dogtown is currently home to seven diverse dance and movement organizations, one of which will be chosen to show their work at The Dogtown Presenter's Series each year. The Series aims to expand the awareness of diverse dance opportunities in the Richmond community by showcasing our own talented artists.

This year, Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus has been invited to showcase their new full-length work, The Big Top in the Little Easy: Animals, Clowns, and Acrobats! – A traditional circus in a contemporary style! Host of Sparrows is an in house company at Dogtown Dance Theatre that specializes in classes from introductory to professional performance training in a variety of circus arts. Host of Sparrows is Richmond's first professional aerial circus troupe and The Big Top in the Little Easy is their first full-length production.

The Big Top in the Little Easy features an array of circus entertainment including aerial arts, partner acrobatics, contortion, stilt walking and more. This production is a circus arts show about Sammy, a janitor in black and gray who learns to see a world full of excitement and color through the circus. Host of Sparrows is working in collaboration with music composer Brett Zwerdling and the nonprofit organization Puppets Off Broad for this performance. Dogtown wants the Richmond community to experience the magic of the circus through Host of Sparrows. Tickets will be $10 for children and cushion seating and $15 for adults.

Host of Sparrows will also offer a variety of introductory circus workshops to the community at 3:30PM each Sunday of the show weekends (October 16 and 23). The two main workshops will be in partner acrobatics and aerial silks. The workshops are donation based with a suggested donation of $10.

The Dogtown Presenter's Series Details:

When: October 14 – October 23, 2016

What: The Dogtown Presenter's Series presents Host of Sparrow's The Big Top in the Little Easy

Who: Host of Sparrows

Where: Dogtown Dance Theatre

Additional: The performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM on October 14, 15, 21, and 22 with 2:00PM matinee performances on both Saturdays October 15 and 22. There will also be workshops are on Sundays at 3:30PM on October 16 and 23.

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a name for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enlighten our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

Press Contact:
Jess Burgess, jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com, 804-230-8780
Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 W. 15th Street, Richmond VA, 23224

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Dogtown Dance Theatre welcomes artists April 22 - May 7, 2016

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/15/2016 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre presents the 3rd annual Richmond Dance Festival, April 22 through May 7, 2016. This three-weekend festival will feature both local and national dance artists in the heart of the historic district of Manchester in Richmond, VA. The festival will consist of live performances featuring both dancers and musicians, as well as film screenings. From modern and Afro-Caribbean dance to aerial arts and acrobatics, Richmond Dance Festival creates a common ground for diverse audiences to come together and enjoy dance art.

Richmond Dance Festival will feature works by familiar local dance artists including Afro-Caribbean inspired Claves Unidos led by Kevin Lamarr Jones and Alicia Diaz/Agua Dulce Dance Company, whose choreography features contemporary dance set to traditional Puerto Rican rhythms, as well as nationally acclaimed artists. Jane Franklin, native to the Washington DC/Northern Virginia region, will bring a cross discipline of dance and visual art to Dogtown's stage. No stranger to the Richmond community, Jane Franklin Dance Company has toured for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Paul Mellon Arts in Education Program and is the recipient of Virginia's Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. Richmond Dance Festival will also house Ramya Sundaresan Kapadia, who is trained in classical Indian dance Bharatanatyam. Kapadia, hailing from North Carolina, is the founder of Natyarpana School of Dance and Music in Durham, NC and trains students both in Carnatic voice and Bharatanatyam. She is the recipient of the 2015 Choreographic Fellowship from the North Carolina Dance Alliance.

The festival will also feature five emerging choreographers – Breena Cocco, a BFA Dance student at the University of Florida; Jennifer Seye, who uses dance to spark critical social commentary; Andrea Ward, a BFA Dance student and performer for Isodoc Dance Group in New York City; and Chelsea Jones and Rachel Reinhardt, both Virginia Commonwealth University BFA Dance alumni. Six different dance films will also be featured throughout the festival and adjudicated by Richmond filmmaker, Torian Ugworji.

Richmond Dance Festival exists as an initiative of Dogtown Dance Theatre to support artists who are established or rising, and seeking to present new or repertory works to an audience. This initiative is an opportunity for artists to avoid obstacles of performance such as production and marketing costs, and still offers them the same privileges of performing in front of a diverse audience, made up of members throughout the entire Richmond community. Richmond Dance Festival is also proud to feature Kelly Hamlin, recipient of Dogtown Dance Theatre's Space Microgrant, whose work was developed and choreographed under Dogtown's roof.

Donation based community dance workshops will be offered by some of the festival artists and all proceeds will help support Dogtown's mission to enlighten the Richmond community through creative expression and education across diverse populations. Each weekend will feature a variety of diverse talented dance artists whose artistic zest brings life to Dogtown's theater and reaffirms RVA as the creative hub of Central Virginia.

For more information about Richmond Dance Festival, please visit www.dogtowndancetheatre.com.

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a home for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enlighten our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

Media Contact:
Aila Castane
Marketing Coordinator | Richmond Dance Festival
109 W 15th Street, Richmond VA 23224
aila.dogtowndancetheatre@gmail.com
757-672-7021

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/29/2015 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre presents the fifth annual Mardi Gras RVA on February 6, 2016. This family-friendly event will feature a diverse arrangement of performances by Dogtown's own artists, live music, an outside parade consisting of local businesses and artists, and traditionally styled New Orleans food. Dogtown's Mardi Gras RVA celebration is going to be one of the biggest events promoting local art and business in Richmond.

The day will kick off with the Mardi Gras-themed parade from 3PM – 4PM, beginning at 15th Street and Bainbridge Street. Parade participants will dance, sing and invigorate the Manchester community for ten blocks. All people are encouraged to come watch and participate in the parade.

The main event will happen in Dogtown's theater from 4PM to 7PM. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children between 5 and 12, and children under 5 are free. Many talented groups will be performing such as RVA Dance Collective, Host of Sparrows, Claves Unidos, Pole Pressure, Illumination Dance, Boom Boom Basics Burlesque Performing Arts Studio, acro yoga with Zach Surina, Circular Expressions, and Latin Vintage. These performances will showcase a wide variety of dance including aerial dance, modern dance, belly dancing, Latin and salsa dancing, African and more. There will not be a dull moment with this year's lineup.

In between performances, live music by Happy Lucky Combo will get the crowd moving, Sophia's International Cuisine will be serving delicious food, and there will be balloon animals, face painting, and tarot readings for the whole family to enjoy. Dogtown invites you to continue celebrating from 7PM to 10PM when the performances conclude and we dance the night away.

Mardi Gras RVA is an opportunity for Dogtown to celebrate the Manchester community by coming together and supporting local artists and businesses. Dogtown wants Richmond to see the amazing talent that is hidden just around the corner. Dogtown's Mardi Gras RVA celebration is going to be the biggest party on Richmond's Southside in February so come join us the Saturday before Fat Tuesday!

Mardi Gras RVA Details:
When: February 6th, 2016 3PM-10PM
What: Mardi Gras RVA
Who: Open to the public and family-friendly
Where: Dogtown Dance Theatre
109 W. 15th Street, Richmond, VA 23224
Additional: Parade starts at 3PM. Performances from 4PM to 7PM. Party from 7PM to 10PM
Tickets: Available on Dogtown's website at www.dogtowndancetheatre.com
$15 adult, $5 children 5-12 years old, FREE for children under the age of 5

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a home for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enlighten our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

Press Contact:
Jess Burgess
jess@dogtowndancetheatre.com
804-230-8780
Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 W. 15th Street, Richmond, VA, 23224

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Call for Submissions Opens October 1, 2015

Richmond, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/01/2015 -- Dogtown Dance Theatre is now accepting applications for content during the 3rd annual Richmond Dance Festival, which will be held on April 23rd, 24th, 25th and May 7th, 8th, and 9th. The Richmond Dance Festival will consist of performances and film screenings presented by dance artists located in the Richmond, Virginia area and beyond. Dogtown Dance Theatre uses the Richmond Dance Festival to help aspiring and established artists present their work to the Richmond community at no cost to the artists.

Richmond Dance Festival (RDF) exists as a series of spring weekend performances that showcase a variety of artistic works to the community of Richmond, Virginia. This annual festival is one of the many initiatives of Dogtown Dance Theatre to support artists who are established or rising, and seeking to present their work to an audience. RDF is a promotion of dance that brings together choreographic work through live performance, film, and master classes. The festival is an opportunity for artists to avoid the obstacles of performance such as production and marketing costs, and still offers them the same privileges of performing in front of a diverse audience, made up of members throughout the entire Richmond community.

Artists from all stages in their choreographic careers are invited to participate. However, one component that makes the Richmond Dance Festival rewarding is the opportunity for young artists to cultivate their artistic voice with a professional choreographer. Emerging artists are given opportunities to workshop choreographic work with local professional choreographers in order to assist them with their first formally presented piece. Dogtown Dance Theatre envisions these workshops as a cornerstone to enable promising future choreographers to share their work with the public and gain feedback prior to performing.

Dogtown Dance Theatre is seeking dance submissions of completed works to be presented during one of the weekend dates of the festival. Submissions for the festival will be accepted beginning October 1, 2015 through January 29, 2016 via our online application form at www.dogtowndancetheatre.com. Artists may submit more than one piece of work and are allowed to share a submission. Artists will be expected to work as a collaborative team to promote the festival. All types of dance are encouraged to participate.

Richmond Dance Festival 2016 Submission Details:

When: October 1, 2015 - January 29, 2016
What: Completed dance works
Who: Artists that are interested in having their work professionally presented
Where: Dogtown Dance Theatre

Additional: Stipends will be awarded to participating artists and organizations

About Dogtown Dance Theatre
Dogtown Dance Theatre provides a name for independent artists to create and present their work in movement, visual, and music arts. We seek to enlighten our local community by fostering expansive creative expression and education across diverse populations.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm