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Philly’s sensational dance company @PHILADANCO honors two of the city’s celebrated choreographers in annual performance 11/16 – 11/18 at the @KimmelCenter. More info @ Kimmelcenter.org
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Lauren Woodard Rachel Goldman
215-790-5835 267-765-3712
LWoodard@kimmelcenter.org rgoldman@alliedim.com
THE KIMMEL CENTER’S BELOVED RESIDENT COMPANY PHILADANCO HONORS TWO CHOREOGRAPHERS MILTON MYERS AND CHRISTOPHER HUGGINS IN CHOREOGRAPHERS ON THE MOVE, NOVEMBER 16-18, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, September 5, 2018) – The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts’ beloved Resident Company PHILADANCO will honor two longtime resident choreographers, Milton Myers and Christopher Huggins, in their inventive winter performance, PHILADANCO: Choreographers on the Moveat the Perelman Theater, Friday, November 16 through Sunday, November 18, 2018. Spotlighting two pieces from each artist, Choreographers on the Move is a captivating tribute to the evolution of each choreographer in their craft, in a time of increased commercialization of dance in pop culture.
“Since their formation nearly 50 years ago, PHILADANCO has been a cherished part of the Philadelphia dance scene and one of our most anticipated shows each season,” said Ed Cambron, Executive Vice President of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “The celebrated company vibrantly paints a story on stage through their skilled choreography rooted in African American traditions in dance, touring both nationally and internationally.”
“Many choreographers today in efforts to please audiences are being influenced by what is being seen on TV competition shows,” said Joan Myers Brown, founder of PHILADANCO. “Creators of concert work have moved on with their work but I am seeking to learn how, and if, their current creations are still true to their aesthetic or are they moving forward being greatly influenced by what is deemed the new trends in dance.”
The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) presents the highest quality of professional dance performance and improves the skills of emerging and professional dancers and choreographers. PHILADANCO is celebrated across the nation and around the world for its innovation, creativity, and preservation of predominantly African American traditions in dance.
Milton Myers performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and was Director of the Trisler Danscompany for six years. He has taught for the Ballet Hispanico, New Danish Dance Theatre, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Batsheva, Matthew Bourne's Male Swan Lake Company on Broadway and Ballet Stagium in Brazil. He is a professional instructor for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and is an instructor and resident choreographer for PHILADANCO. Mr. Myers is currently on faculty at the Juilliard School and the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. program, and has taught throughout Europe, Israel, South America, South Africa, and Canada. He has choreographed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Judith Jamison, Carmen de Lavallade, Danish Dance Theater and PHILADANCO. He has been director of the modern and contemporary program at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival for 24 years. He has received honors for his artistry and contributions from The International Association of Blacks in Dance.
Christopher L. Huggins is a former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and works in Europe, Japan, the Caribbean, and throughout the U.S. as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Born in Boston, Huggins trained under Andrea Herbert-Major, Danny Sloan, and Martha Gray. He attended SUNY Purchase and The Juilliard School and was a scholarship student at The Ailey School. Mr. Huggins is a 2002 and 2008 recipient of the Alvin Ailey Award for Best Choreography from the Black Theater Alliance in Chicago for Enemy Behind the Gates and Pyrokinesis, respectively, and has also worked on several projects for Disney in Orlando, Florida. He was a silver medalist for the 4th International Contemporary Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea. In addition to commissions for Ailey II and The Ailey School, he has also set works on universities and high schools throughout the U.S. Anointed is Mr. Huggins’ first ballet for the Company.
Other featured upcoming performances at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus include: iLuminate (September 21-22, 2018, Merriam Theater), Flying Steps presents Flying Bach (October 28, 2018, Merriam Theater), Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (March 1 – 2, 2019, Academy of Music), and Rennie Harris: Funkedified (June 7 – 8, 2019, Merriam Theater).
PHILADANCO: CHOREOGRAPHERS ON THE MOVE
Perelman Theater
November 16 2018, 11:00 a.m. (Student Matinee) and 7:30 p.m.
November 17, 2018, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
November 18, 2018, 2:30 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now and start at $10.00 Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 215-790-5883. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center’s mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center Campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2018-2019 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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For a PDF version of this press release, click here.