PROGRAM
8:00pm
⚫️⚫️⚫️
This is believed to be the time when the line between the living and the dead thins down.
Choreographer:
Candy Jimenez
Music:
"Song of the Stars"
- Dead Can Dance
Performer:
Candy Jimenez
— Name, Title
I often wake at 3am. This is a sacred time where portals may open. This might be a time to listen or communicate with energies in another dimension. Say the name of the dead. Call their name. I encourage you to chant and call the spirits.
Candy Jimenez: dancer, choreographer, advocate/leader has worked with professors with direct lineage to Modern dance as well as contemporary choreographers of the day. She studied at Arizona State University and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She as earned her BFA, M.Ed, and is currently an MFA in Dance candidate from Hollins University. She has performed solos by New York choreographer Pamela Pietro, and Neta Pulvamacher as well as
California choreographer Chad Michael Hall. In addition to her performance experience Candy choreographs and presents her work throughout the country as well as France. Her work is about the human experience, acknowledging the individual myth, specifically in regard to valuing tribulations because that is where character is forged. Her artistic practice is about perseverance, about coexisting with nature, and valuing all living things. She strives to create new movement expressions that are physically visceral as well as emotionally interpreted for individual journeys.
nothingsmatter
Choreographer:
Ellen Sickenberger & Jenny Milani
Music:
"Alabao" by Trending Topics, "Canalón de Timbiquí; Solidarity Theme (Villagers)" by James Holden; "Slip Away" by Slowdanger; "Island Spell" by Molly Lewis
Performers:
Ellen Sickenberger & Jenny Milani
Gravitational time dilation occurs because objects with a lot of mass create a strong gravitational field. The gravitational field is really a curving of space and time. The stronger the gravity, the more spacetime curves, and the slower time itself proceeds. Join dancers Ellen Sickenberger and Jenny Milani as they become enveloped in the space-time continuum and its four dimensions.
Ellen is a professional dance artist based in Phoenix with roots in NYC. She’s performed in esteemed venues throughout NYC and Europe, and has been a world-touring cast member of Israeli choreographer Nadine Bommer's "INVISI'ball" since 2015. She is a certified instructor of Nadine's renowned movement method; Kinetica, which she taught to professional dance artists from around the world while performing with the company in Israel for two years. Ellen has fulfilled many residencies and has taught master classes to universities and studios in 9 states. Her NYC-based contemporary dance company; DEPTH, has presented work in venues in NYC, Boston, Atlanta, Berlin (Germany) and Tel Aviv (Israel). Since returning to America in 2022, Ellen received nueBOX's 6-month StudioLAB Residency, and is now a Permanent Artist In Residence there. She continues to create, present and perform throughout the Valley and is currently collaborating with choreographer/dance artist Jennifer Milani.
The Dance Wasn't Always Tiny
Choreographer:
Amy Symonds
Music:
Romante Tiganesti by Grigoras Dinicu; Souvenir by Grigoras Dinicu
Performer:
Amy Symonds
'The Dance Wasn't Always Tiny' takes a fresh perspective on a past creation looking at what new options can exist in a tiny format. It seeks to hold onto the original timing, texture, and quality of the source material while exploring how perceived intentionality can shift simply given a new environment.
Amy Symonds is a dance professional with a passion for teaching, learning, making, and sharing. She danced with Youth American Ballet performing soloist and principal roles in Nutcracker, Firebird, Giselle, and Paquita. Following this, Amy expanded her training into modern and postmodern techniques at Scottsdale Community College and summer programs with LINES, NW Dance Project, chuthis., Camp Protégé, BEMOVING, and GagaLabs. While living in Arizona, she has worked collaboratively on various shows and projects with CONDER|dance, JordanDanielsDance, Convergence Ballet Company, and Scorpius Dance Theatre in addition to performing as a guest with Center Dance Ensemble and premiering choreographic work at WestFest Dance Festival, Beta Dance Festival, Arizona Dance Festival, and Taliesin West. Most recently Amy had the pleasure of dancing with Wasatch Contemporary Dance whilst training in Utah with Salt2. She is currently enjoying her time investing, engaging, and exploring with the local arts community as a freelance dance artist!
Off to On
— Name, Title
Choreographer:
Valkyrie Yao
Music:
"From off to on"
-The Knife/ Deng-Haya band
Performer:
Valkyrie Yao
“The moonlight tonight looks really beautiful, don't you think?"
Valkyrie Yao, rooted in Eastern cultural heritage, which informs her multicultural performances and mind-body-spiritual practices. From performing arts to visual arts, her creative endeavors serve as a medium for expressing human vulnerability. She stands like a tree, deeply rooted in performing arts, yet nourished by a diverse array of influences including psychology, philosophy, socio-political dynamics, and more. Each branch of her artistic exploration delves into the complexities of human existence, articulating our shared journey's vulnerabilities, struggles, and triumphs. In the ongoing conflict of self-realization, navigating the uncertainty inherent in societal hierarchies while deeply revering the wisdom of her ancestors' philosophy, she endeavors to preserve and share its often-overlooked insights from across the globe. Infusing her work with the delicate harmony of her heritage and reflecting the collective consciousness that shapes our existence. Inspired by Daoism and Buddhism, she harmonizes transcendent ideals with tangible techniques, offering a voice to the collective human experience beyond cultural, ideological, and geographical boundaries. Embracing ambiguity, she invites viewers on a journey to the unfamiliar, where it evolves into a sense of embodied familiarity. Through her practice, she strives to reveal her identity and principles, establishing an aesthetic and philosophy that transcends mere biography, allowing observers could intuitively grasp the essence of her artistry and underlying beliefs, fostering a connection with her identity and theories through her creations and practices.
The Swarm
Choreographers:
Juan Carlos García Gutiérrez, Elva Shani Howard, Lydia Partridge
Music:
"Whats the Prob Dog (Let Me Think About It)" by WISEKIDS, Ida Corr
Performers:
Juan Carlos García Gutiérrez, Elva Shani Howard, Lydia Partridge
In “The Swarm,” the stage comes to alive with an electrifying energy as the dancers embody the mesmerizing world of bees. The Queen Bee reigns supreme, surrounded by her devoted hive. The dancers move in captivating synchrony, creating a captivating visual spectacle the represents the unity and strength of the swarm. But here's the twist that adds an intriguing layer to the performance: the concept of time. As the dancers gracefully move and weave through space, their movements subtly shift and evolve, symbolizing the passage of time. From the bustling energy of the worker bees to the commanding presence of the queen, "The Swarm" takes us on a journey through the ever-changing nature of life, reminding us to appreciate each fleeting moment.
Juan Carlos García Gutiérrez , a.k.a Jay a.k.a “theprinceof.chaos” was born and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. He found the world of dance at 19yrs old ,taking his first classes in ballet and Hip-hop at Scottsdale Community College. Questioning what it means to be a dancer and being so intrigued Juan dabbled in SCC’s program and fell in love with dance for film, color theory and lighting design, the choreographic process, music composition and social media management. Juan discovered he was a modern and floor baby gravitating very quickly to modern floor work and breaking forms. His movement is a unique blend of athleticism and gestural work but loves working collaboratively allowing him to utilize dancers' individual strengths but not relying on them. His works are a blend of contemporary with an emphasis on momentum, swing, and free flow, translating into a more release-based work.
Cuentos
— Name, Title
Choreographer:
Liliana Gomez
Music:
"Lechuguilla, Bassapella" by Helado Negro
Performers:
Daniela Prieto and Steven Redondo
"Cuentos" (Stories) delves into the essence of time as Steven Redondo and Daniela Prieto share captivating tales. Their performance merges nostalgia with whimsy, intriguing secrets, and mystery, inviting reflection on life's narratives. Evolving into a comical yet heartfelt exchange between friends, their playful interactions create a dynamic exchange of experiences, enriching the dance with joy and fun!
Liliana Gomez, a passionate choreographer, shares dance experiences within her community. She's choreographed for public spaces and venues like museums, libraries, galleries, and gardens, including Phx Art Museum and Desert Botanical Garden. With works from ASU to Rising Youth Theater, she celebrates Black and Latinx choreographers' work as Managing Director of the BlakTinx Dance Festival. Liliana teaches a weekly dance class, consults for dance organizations, and is a member of the Artlink Artists Council. Recognized with the 2015 Phoenix Mayor’s Arts Award, she explores themes of love, family, and migration in recent work like "Caminando." Currently, Liliana received the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture's "Artists to Work" grant for the "Quinceañera Chronicles," a series of dances choreographed for different age groups.
Fins and Mittens and Dukes
— Name, Title
Choreographer:
Nicole L Olson, NicoleOlson|MovementChaos
Music:
"Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz
Performers:
Jordan Clark, Tyler Hooten, Nick McEntire, Nicole L Olson, Zephyr Tuipulotu
This piece references time by utilizing symbols throughout the ages, both in art of different genres and in pop culture.
Nicole L Olson, the artistic director of NicoleOlson|MovementChaos, is a choreographer and performance artist based out of Phoenix, AZ. Her work is based off of the human experience; what we encounter, see, hear, breathe, live, and learn. It is rooted in expression through movement and connection. She communicates through broad, athletic, and subtle movements to create a moment in time of the human condition. Using a wide range of emotions, Nicole tells stories that are ambitious, poignant, relatable, and powerful.
Along with creating work for the proscenium stage, she has moved much of her work to alternative spaces, such as galleries, museums, and outdoor arenas. Public art has become one of her favorite locales. With this artistic shift, Olson has had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with many artists of different genres; designing innovative works and bridging the audiences between art and dance.
stuck outside
— Name, Title
Choreographer:
Isiah Johnson
Music:
“Mother of God” - Jerskin Fendrix
Performer:
Isiah Johnson
The boy lost track of time.
Isiah Johnson is a contemporary dance artist and teacher based in Phoenix, Arizona. He began his training at 16, later graduating with a BA in Dance from Grand Canyon University in 2020. Throughout his career, he has danced with companies such as: Methods of Madness Dance Theater, CONDER/dance, BreadDance, Soulescape, and Rogue Dance Theater. As well as performing the works of Taimy Miranda, Justin Giles, Alicia Lynn-Nascimento Castro, Ray Mercer, and several others. Alongside this, he has had the opportunity to present work for the American College Dance Association, the Arizona Drive-In Film Festival, BlakTinx Dance Festival, Nuebox’s RE:VOLVE Seed Residency, and more.
Under a Sea of Sentiment I '8' the Veil
— Name, Title
Choreographer:
Monique Kelley
Music:
Lilac Wine by Nina Simone
Performer:
Tristan Hooks
"Under a Sea of Sentiment I '8' the Veil" explores a theme of time through a movement study developed by Monique Kelley in collaboration with Tristan Hooks. This study asks what it means to move within the sea of sentiment that is infinitely hugged by the past and present, defining how we view the world.
Monique Kelley is a passionate artist based in Arizona with a focus in dance performance, choreography, and improvisation. She is currently obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance, at Arizona State University, Herberger Institute of the Arts and is expected to graduate in May 2024. Monique is an honored recipient of the Margaret Gisolo Award and Special Talent Award at Arizona State University. She is also a recipient of the Community Expansion Scholarship from Balanced Body Pilates.
As a mover, Monique is most versed in contemporary dance forms and aims to expand her practice through branching into diverse methodologies and approaches to movement. She fosters a deep passion for existing in and creating spaces for diversity and collaboration between interdisciplinary arts. Her most recent work, Requiem From the Glimmer, was an absurdist approach to reflecting the process of discovering the roots of one’s thought processes and habitual behaviors.
Moon Rise Countdown
— Name, Title
Choreographer:
Carley Conder in collaboration with the dancers
Music:
"Stardust" by Hoagy Carmichael
Performers:
Hailey David, Leah M. Friedman, Juan Carlos García Gutiérrez, Isiah Johnson
"Everything happens a certain number of times, and a really small number, really. How many more times will you watch the full moon rise?" - Paul Bowles
This work is a continuation of an exploration of memory, aging and the cyclical nature of life.
Carley Conder is Artistic Director of CONDER/dance, founded in Arizona in 2003. Based in Tempe, Carley has invested her time and talents towards providing opportunities for contemporary dance artists in Arizona with events such as the Breaking Ground Festival and Tiny Dances. Her professional company, CONDER/dance, enjoys artist-in-residence status at Tempe Center for the Arts and UNESCO World Heritage site Taliesin West. Carley’s recent projects include the AQUA project with Opus Ballet in Santa Barbara and a choreographic collaboration with Keith Thompson (danceTactics, Trisha Brown Dance Company). Carley is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dance in the School of Music, Dance and Theater at Arizona State University.
Special Thanks:
Annette Villa of Japanese Friendship Garden
Maddie Lasco - Technical Director
Ashley Koclanis - Assistant Technical Director
Tech Crew - Denise Lopez, Garrison Conder, Kyla Kabat
Box Office - Emma Conder, Kendall Sharpe
Photographs - Rick Meinecke and Carlos Velarde