Peter and The Wolf at Uptown

WHEN:
March 1, 2019 (Friday)
7:30pm

March 2, 2019 (Saturday)
7:30pm

WHERE:
UPTOWN DANCE CENTRE
7417 Shadyvilla, Houston, TX 77055

WHAT:

Dance performance with live music by Sam Houston State University Orchestra.

Step into the whimsical world of “Peter and the Wolf”, Sergei Prokofiev’s classic tale that tells the adventure of Peter and his friends as they capture a wolf.  The audience is introduced to each character with a musical theme played by a different instrument of the orchestra, accompanied with original choreography by Artistic Director Beth Gulledge-Brown for each character.

The Story

Peter lives with his grandfather in a house by the meadow.  Peter’s grandfather has warned him not to play in the meadow because of the dangers that lurk in the forest. Peter, along with a bird, a cat and a duck, are able to catch a wolf that had crept out of the forest that morning. Peter hands over this captured wolf to some hunters, and all the characters of the play take the wolf to the zoo.

The performances will take place at Uptown Dance Centre’s black box theater, equipped with great acoustics that is ideal for live music performances.

TICKETS:
$30 General Admission
$25 Seniors (65+)
$15 College Students with ID / UDC Students / Children 12 or younger

 

 

Female Voices in Motion Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 19, 2018
CONTACT:
Alex Pandiscio
713-686-0334
info@uptowndance.org

UPTOWN DANCE COMPANY PRESENTS WORKS BY
THREE HOUSTON-BASED CHOREOGRAPHERS

HOUSTON, TX – On Friday September 28^th, 2018, Uptown Dance Company opens their 2018-2019 Season with Female Voices in Motion, an evening of three one-act contemporary dance works by celebrated local choreographers Jane Weiner, Krissy Richmond, and the company’s Artistic Director, Beth Gulledge-Brown. Joining the company will be Principal Guest Artist Rupert Edwards III, a former Houston Ballet dancer, who has performed with the company frequently in the past. The two performances, Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30pm, take place at the MATCH.

Jane Weiner has created her first work for the company, entitled “Climate Orange”. Dancers playfully interact with oranges, rock out to R.E.M., tell knock-knock jokes (sometimes in Chinese), and gracefully dance to a Bach Fugue! Weiner’s signature quirky modern dance style is a joy for both dancers and audience.

“Crossroads” is Beth Gulledge-Brown’s stunning new contemporary ballet showing off the classical lines of the company artists. Set to hauntingly beautiful music from Ezio Bosso’s “Music for Weather Elements,” the work explores how people relate with one another and the various forces that push them together and pull them apart.

Rounding out the evening is “Life is just a bowl of cherries,” Krissy Richmond’s second creation for the company. The work pays homage to the classic jazz dance made famous by masters such as Jack Cole, Luigi, and the incomparable Bob Fosse. Upbeat, energetic and evoking the golden age of classic jazz dance, the dancers get to share with the audience a style of dance not performed very often in Houston.

Uptown Dance Company is a non-profit 501(c)3 professional dance company based in Houston, TX, found in 1999. The Company fosters an appreciation of dance within the Houston community by offering family-friendly dance performances and educational opportunities. Uptown Dance Company produces exciting and innovative performances known for featuring versatile professional dancers with strong classical lines. The company provides high quality training opportunities for aspiring young dancers regardless of their financial means, and serves the greater community through outreach performances and masterclasses.

 

FACT SHEET:

CONTACT:
Alex Pandiscio
713-686-0334
info@uptowndance.org

WHAT:
UPTOWN DANCE COMPANY PRESENTS FEMALE VOICES IN MOTION

WHEN:
Friday, September 28^th 2018, 7:30pm
Saturday, September 29^th 2018, 7:30pm

WHERE:
MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston)
3400 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

TICKETS:
$30 General admission / $25 Senior/ $15 Student w/College I.D.

http://uptowndance.org
https://matchouston.org/events/2018/female-voices-motion

Female Voices in Motion + Dance Infusion 2018

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WHEN:

Female Voices in Motion

September 28, 2018 (Friday)
September 29, 2018 (Saturday)
7:30pm

Dance Infusion 2018

September 29, 2018 (Saturday)
1:00pm & 4:00pm

WHERE:

MATCH
3400 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

WHAT:

Uptown Dance kicks off 2018-2019 season with 2 distinctive shows — Female Voice in Motion featuring Uptown Dance Company and Dance Infusion 2018 featuring the pre-professional companies of Uptown Dance.

Female Voice in Motion

Uptown Dance Company’s versatility is on full display with an evening of world premieres in contemporary ballet, jazz and modern. Featuring a trio of Houston-based female choreographers, each piece represents the female voice in dance in its own unique way. Krissy Richmond pays homage to Jack Cole, Luigi and the incomparable Bob Fosse with a classic jazz tribute. Jane Weiner of Hope Stone Dance brings her signature quirkiness to the audience and shares the joy of dance. UDC Artistic Director Beth Gulledge-Brown showcases the company’s classical technique and aesthetic with a dramatic contemporary ballet.

Female Voice in Motion Press Release

Dance Infusion 2018

The young dancers of Uptown Dance Company pre-professional divisions showcase their talent in an evening of world premieres by artistic director Beth Gulledge-Brown, co-director Adrian Ciobanu, former Houston Ballet soloist Nao Kusuzaki, and UDC dancer Claire Westerman.

TICKETS:

$30 General Admission
$25 Seniors (65+)
$15 College Students with ID

Master Class with Jane Weiner

WHEN
Saturday, August 25th, 2018
9:30am – 11:00am
WHERE
Uptown Dance Centre
7417 Shadyvilla Ln, Houston, TX 77055 (map it)
COST
$25 per class

 

 

 

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Uptown Dance Centre is excited to announce a contemporary master class with Hope Stone Dance founder Jane Weiner.  Jane is well known locally and nationally for her organic movements and quirky choreography, and she is currently working with Uptown Dance Company on a new world premier for “Female Voices in Motion”, an evening of dance showcasing new works by Houston-based female choreographers.

Don’t miss this chance with take class with one of Houston’s best choreographers and teachers.   Space is limited, so RSVP today!

 

 

Photos: Simon Gentry

Spring Fusion 2018

WHEN:
March 3, 2018 (Saturday)
2:00pm

March 4, 2018 (Sunday)
2:00pm

Hidden Dimensions with Axiom Quartet Press Release

WHO: Uptown Dance Company and Axiom Quartet

WHAT: Hidden Dimensions – an evening of live music and dance

WHEN: March 2-3, 7:30pm

WHERE: Uptown Dance Centre, 7417 Shadyvilla Ln, Houston, TX 77055

On March 2-3, 2018, Uptown Dance Company partners with Houston’s Axiom Quartet for two performances of “Hidden Dimensions,” a program of three new dance works all performed to live music. The performances, which take place at Uptown Dance Centre, feature music from three Phillip Glass String Quartets, the first Cello Suite by Benjamin Britten, and selections from Axiom Quartet’s upcoming debut album (“Axiom – Moments of Truth,” release date April 13, 2018, Parma Recordings).

Choreographer Andre Silva, current principal dancer with Texas Ballet Theater, returns to Uptown Dance Company with his newest creation. Mr. Silva’s Hidden Dimensions marks his final installment of a multi-year project, moving towards the creation of an evening length work titled To the moon and back (planned for Uptown Dance Company’s upcoming 20^th anniversary season). Mr. Silva’s previous works for the same project (Cosmos, 2015; and Wherever you go there you are, 2016) explore themes of aggression, sensuality, playfulness, and solitude. Mr. Silva says his newest work “combines the past concepts, including: mindfulness within each moment of movement, space in different levels – both ethereal, and those around us – and expression of emotions through movement.” With Hidden Dimensions, Mr. Silva explores a narrative approach to his choreographic process, creating a work that portrays a woman caught in a dream realm.

Music from Axiom’s new album inspired Artistic Director Beth Gulledge-Brown’s newest pas de deux, titled At first sight. The musical selections highlight Axiom’s focus on performing varied musical genres, ranging from Haywyre and Monteverdi. Drawing her inspiration recent life events of her dancers, as well as the kinetic energy of the music, Gulledge-Brown describes her work as an example of “art imitating life.” Guest dancer Rupert Edwards also returns, building on his artistic relationship that began with Uptown Dance Company last season.

Even in a city as culturally rich as Houston, audiences rarely get the opportunity to hear one of the solo cello suites by Benjamin Britten in live performance. Axiom cellist Patrick Moore first approached Uptown Dance Company in 2015 with the idea of programming Britten’s Cello Suite No. 1, seeking the addition of choreography and lighting alongside his performance to provide multiple pointes of access to listeners. The concept greatly interested choreographer Alex Pandiscio and sparked a collaboration. Through numerous discussions of the musical structure and motifs, Moore and Pandiscio extracted themes in the work that resonated with them both – fate, separation, trauma, love, fear, and triumph. These themes form the basis for the programmatic work, Entanglement.

Hidden Dimensions with Axiom Quartet

Photo: Cristin Miller

WHEN:
March 2, 2018 (Friday)
7:30pm

March 3, 2018 (Saturday)
7:30pm

WHERE:
UPTOWN DANCE CENTRE
7417 Shadyvilla, Houston, TX 77055

WHAT:

Dance performance with live music by Axiom Quartet.
Featuring three world premieres by Andre Silva, Alex Pandiscio and Beth Gulledge-Brown.

Journey through different musical dimensions, guided by classical and contemporary movements and music of Benjamin Britten, Philip Glass and Axiom Quartet.

Uptown Dance Company partners with Houston’s Axiom Quartet for two performances of “Hidden Dimensions,” a program of three new dance works all performed to live music. The performances, which take place at Uptown Dance Centre, feature music from three Phillip Glass String Quartets, the first Cello Suite by Benjamin Britten, and selections from Axiom Quartet’s upcoming debut album (“Axiom – Moments of Truth,” release date April 13, 2018, Parma Recordings).

Choreographer Andre Silva, current principal dancer with Texas Ballet Theater, returns to Uptown Dance Company with his newest creation, Hidden Dimension.  Mr. Silva explores a narrative approach to his choreographic process, creating a work that portrays a woman caught in a dream realm.  Music from Axiom’s new album inspired Artistic Director Beth Gulledge-Brown’s newest pas de deux, titled At first sight.  Ms. Gulledge-Brown describes her work as an example of “art imitating life.” Guest dancer Rupert Edwards returns to perform in this new work.  Houston audiences will get the rare opportunity to hear one of the solo cello suites by Benjamin Britten in a live performance.  Axiom cellist Patrick Moore and choreographer Alex Pandiscio extracted themes in the work that resonated with them both – fate, separation, trauma, love, fear, and triumph. These themes form the basis for the programmatic work, Entanglement.

The performances will take place at Uptown Dance Centre’s black box theater, equipped with great acoustics that is ideal for live music performances.

TICKETS:
$30 General Admission
$25 Seniors (65+)
$15 College Students with ID

Master Class with Andre Silva (2018)

WHEN
Saturday, January 6th, 2018
10:00am – 11:30am
WHERE
Uptown Dance Centre
7417 Shadyvilla Ln, Houston, TX 77055 (map it)
COST
$25 per class

 

 

 

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Uptown Dance Centre is excited to announce a ballet master class with Texas Ballet Theater principal dancer Andre Silva in January 2018. Andre returns to UDC to create two world premieres. The new works will be performed to live music during UDC’s spring show Hidden Dimensions with Axiom Quartet.

Born in Brasilia, Brazil, Andre Silva began training at age 4 with his mother at the Royal Academy of Dance. He continued his training at The Harid Conservatory and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. He was a Company member of Texas Ballet Theater from 2003 to 2009, where he was featured in leading roles of Ben Stevenson’s Peer Gynt, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Dracula, Vivaldi and Brittain pas-deux, Bartok, Preludes for Van, Five Poems and Mozart Requiem. Andre was the first recipient of the Booz Hamilton international “Rising Star Award” for excellence in dance and was a Silver Medalist at the International Ballet Competition in Shanghai, China. He has appeared as a guest artist at Houston’s Dance Salad and TITAS’ Festivals.

He joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal from 2009 to 2014, where he toured and expanded his repertoire dancing title roles of European choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Stijn Celis, Stephan Thoss, Christian Spuck, Didy Veldman and Marco Goecke.

He joined Germany’s Ballet Augsburg for one year, where he was featured in principal roles in Young Soon-Hue’s Romeo and Juliet, Georg Reischl’s Verflixte Nähe, Stephen Shopshire’s Murmul and Spill and Angel Rodriguez’ Medea.

In 2015, Mr. Silva returned to Texas Ballet Theater.

Don’t miss this chance to take class from an inspiring dancer, teacher and choreographer. Space is limited, register for your spot today!

Support UDC at Big Give Houston (and Beyond)

Note: In light of the recent events caused by Hurricane Harvey, Big Give Houston 2017 has been rescheduled to November 28, 2017

Uptown Dance Company is excited and honored to be part of Big Give Houston 2017, happening on November 28, 2017.

Big Give Houston is a 24-hour collaborative fundraiser for nonprofits in and around Houston. BGH celebrates 24 hours of Houstonians coming together to give back to the local organizations that support the community where we live, work and play.

You can show your love and support for the art of dance by making a donation to Uptown Dance Company via Big Give Houston.

(Donation form will be active on November 28, 2017 12:00am)

Why should you donate to Uptown Dance Company during Big Give Houston 2017?

UDC is trying to raise funds for our Spring 2018 project, Hidden Dimensions with Axiom Quartet.  The project features three world-premiere works by Texas Ballet Theater principal dancer Andre Silva, UDC artistic director Beth Gulledg-Brown, and resident choreographer/ballet master Alex Pandiscio.  UDC will be dancing to live music performed by Axiom Quartet.

How can you help?

Pledge your support now and help spread the word by sharing this image on your social media profiles: Facebook Twitter Instagram #biggivehouston #supportuptowndance #supportdance #supportudc #giveussomemoneyplease #keepitlocal #biggivehouston2017
Make a donation to Uptown Dance Company via Big Give Houston on November 28, 2017 (12:00am – 11:59pm)Bonus: Check with your employer if they have a matching gift program that matches donations you make to non-profit organizations.	(Donation form will be active on November 28, 2017 12:00am)
Join Uptown Dance Company on September 28, 2017 for happy hour at The Raven Tower.(Cancelled due to Hurrican Harvey)They will donate portion of the proceeds to ONE nonprofit with the most attendees!  More details to come…

More About Big Give Houston…

Big Give Houston is designed to rally the community around the critical missions of local nonprofits. For one day per year it focuses its attention on the amazing missions within the Houston (and surrounding) community and encourage donors to give local.

One day out of the year BGH helps strengthen the foundation of our local communities, by providing critical funding for and celebrating the work of our community partners.

When is Big Give Houston?

November 28th from 12:00am CT – 11:59:59pm CT

Who can donate?

Anyone with a credit card or debit card and access to the internet can participate.

What forms of donations are accepted?

MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express donations received through the website. No donations via check, cash or stock will be accepted.

Is my donation tax-deductible? How do I get a copy of my receipt?

All donations are fully tax deductible and irrevocable donations to a donor advised fund at The K Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization which assists with the processing of the donation and forwarding of grant funds on to the nonprofit a donor specifies.

The K Foundation will provide an electronic receipt at the time of the donation via email. The e-mail you receive shortly thereafter meet all IRS requirements as a record of donation. If you are asked to provide a paper receipt for IRS purposes, please print out a copy of your email receipt. 

Complete Big Give Houston FAQs 

How can I support Uptown Dance Company beyond Big Give Houston?

Come to our show, Soul Searching, at MATCH on September 27, 2017 7:30pm

Make a donation via PayPal (PayPal account not required)

Shop at our AmazonSmile store

Soul Searching (and TSURU) at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Uptown Dance Company is performing “Soul Searching” at Miller Outdoor Theatre this Thursday, Novermber 2, 2017.  Performance begins at 7:30pm.

Presented by Asia Society Texas Center, the evening also includes a presentation of TSURU, a ballet originally commissioned by Asia Society in partnership with the Houston Ballet.  Excerpts of TSURU was performed during UDC’s Creative Minds at Uptown this past spring.

All performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are free of charge. Assigned seating is available, and details on how to obtain those tickets, and other information about seating, can be found on their website. Open seating on the hill is available .

Photo: Beth Gulledge-Brown
Dancer: Rupert Edwards (from “Soul Searching”)