NEW DANCE GROUP RELOCATES AND CELEBRATES A NEW BEGINNING
The Organization that began in 1932 is Doubling it’s Size, and staying in Midtown –
And Where Dancers Over 40 is holding it’s Membership Meeting November 16th!
The New Dance Group had a grand moving and opening ceremony this fall, with ribbon cutting by DO40’s newest Advisory Board member, Marge Champion (pictured with Donald Saddler and Executive Director Rick Schussel). The dance space has 11 studios with sprung wood or Marley flooring, a recording studio and vocal room and hi-tech sound systems. There’s a teacher’s lounge, stretch area, private entrance, art exhibit area and two performance spaces with raked seating for concerts and events.
The New Dance Group Company
DO40 members were there in full force – beginning with, of course, Marge Champion! Also on hand were first president Chris Nelson, Shelley Frankel, Nicole Barth and John Sefakis. Performances by Kurt Peterson, Harvey Evans, Priscilla Lopez, Pamela Myers made it seem like these dancers give, give give at every opportunity! (See photos below). Many of them graced the Symphony Space stage for our Circle of Friends benefit in August.
Kurt Peterson and Harvey Evans
The studio is now located at 305 West 38th Street near 8th Avenue, just a few blocks above Penn Station, and below Port Authority. Visit their website at www.ndg.org for more information on their classes, play readings, educational outreach programs and senior dance classes! There’s something for everyone!
Our own Marge Champion
and Donald Saddler
Kurt Peterson, Priscilla Lopez,
|
|
DO40 Attends Concert of a
New Dance Company:
NYC’s Dance Makers
Patricia and Lesley Lockery (center)
and their Company Bows
Following in the dance steps of the long-defunct American Dance Machine, performer/choreographers Patricia and Lesley Lockery have started a new non-profit dance company whose mission is to reconstruct and recreate choreographic pieces from Past Broadway and movie musicals. They are using aspiring young performers along with seasoned professionals to pass down the history of these American dance treasures.
DO40 Member Marge Beddow was the hostess of the evening and performed numbers staged by Bob Fosse. Also performing were Vic DiMonda (DO40), Rob Driemeyer, Las Rosager, Julie Kleiner, Chris Lidell, Kaia Pazdersky and Jaimie Raposa. Patricia Lockery also performed and restaged some of the movie and Broadway dance numbers. Her sister Leslie was also responsible for reconstruction and recreation of some numbers.
DO40’s Marge Beddow performing
Erbie Fitch’s Twitch from the
Bob Fosse/Gwen Verdon musical REDHEAD
Leslie said that another goal is to create new numbers in the style of these choreographers and directors so that their style and technique will not be lost.
On Broadway, Lesley’s work appeared in TOMMY TUNE TONIGHT! at the Gershwin Theater. She has choreographed special routines for the Manhattan Rhythm Kings and Tony Award winner Helen Gallagher, and actually worked for Lee Theodore and The American Dance Machine over 20 years ago. Patricia appeared in the original 42nd STREET and assisted Peter Gennaro on SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. She toured with Tommy Tune’s A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE and choreographed for Liza Minnelli and Tony Danza on THE TONY DANZA SHOW, and taught classes at The American Dance Machine.
Marge Beddow with Co-Artistic Directors
Lesley and Patricia Lockery
NYC Dance Makers hold classes in tap and theater dance and promotes the exploration of our musical theater choreography, teachings and styles through teaching workshops and performances.
Seen at the October first event, Karin Baker (42nd Street) Louise Quick (DO40/Assistant to Bob Fosse), Eileen Casey, Kathryn Sullivan (DO40 and CAP 21 teacher and choreographer), pres. John Sefakis and Ed Kresley (DO40).
DO40 and NYC Dance Makers are looking forward to the Spring where they may join forces to promote their organizations through an event, or even a dance concert. Stay tuned!
If you’d like more information on the company, go to www.lockerytapdance.com or e-mail Patricia at lockerytapdance@msn.com. You will find a list of classes and workshops available at the Chelsea Studios and at Steps on the upper West Side.
www.dnadance.org
|
