Meet the Artists of TINY SHORTS 2018

November 15, 2018 Kellie Lynch

Anthony Wells started his dance journey by taking a tap class at Dee Dee’s Dance Studio in New Haven, progressed to Betsy Ross Arts Magnet, Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School and Dean College. He has performed in multiple shows such as the Arts Mosaic Show and at Gilette Stadium for the Patriots. He recently returned from Rome Italy where he studied Graham Technique under Christine Dakin.

Thelma Ladeira is a professional Brazilian dancer and instructor with a background in classical ballet, jazz, Brazilian dances and belly dance. Thelma has taught around the world and she has performed for Brazil’s national TV shows, SBT and Record TV. She is currently performing with Mestre Efraim Silva’s company, Ginga Brasieliera, and teaches at the CT Capoeira and Dance Center.

Arien Wilkerson is a choreographer, movement, video and installation artist. A Hartford native, he began his dance training with Jolet Creary, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, The Artist Collective, Earl Mosely Institute of the Arts, and Batsheva Dance Company’s Gaga Intensive in Israel. He has received numerous awards, grants and public recognition for his work.http://www.tnmotaztro.com/about/

Melinda Marquez is Artistic Director of Melinda Marquez Flamenco Dance Center in New Haven CT. She is thrilled to be joined by Flamenco dancer, Ryan Rockmore, Co-Director of Al Margen Flamenco Dance Company in NYC. The Flamenco bata usually requires plenty of space, so that the dancer can walk, wrap and kick the skirt. BATAlla will explore what will transpire when two tall dancers with unique perspectives have 5 short minutes in very long flamenco skirts in a very tiny space.

Mestre Efraim Silva was born in Sao Paulo Brazil and began his practice of Capoeira at thirteen. Studying Capoeira, Maculele, Puxada de Rede and Samba de Roda he became a master instructor in 1993. He is director of the CT Capoeira and Dance Center and performs with his company Ginga Brasileira in theaters, schools universities all of the US and abroad.

Kiki Lucia is a New Haven, CT-based drag performance artist with a vast training and performance background that includes numerous disciplines: classical ballet, aerial acrobatics, music theatre, modern dance, and acting. She also has a strong background in theatre production, directing, and costume and production design, and producing as well. Most well known as the producer and host of Let’s Have a Kiki – a variety show featuring drag and burlesque artists – that currently performs regularly at three Connecticut locations.

Gusto Dance/Chloe Carlson shares her passions for dancing, spreading its empowering magic, and collaborating through performing, choreographing, teaching and directing GUSTO Dance and serving as Board President of David Dorfman Dance. Past performing with ECDC-a joy and honor. She is a wife, mother, writer, (non-practicing) attorney and mermaid.

Julien Kanor is originally from Guadeloupe, a tiny French Island in the Caribbean. He loves to explore movement in new ways practicing various styles and types. Julien brings us the piece "Minimalist" in the TINY SHORTS performance.

Representing Alisa's House of Salsa, Jason Ramos and Amanda Duvall bring Salsa and Bachata. A Salsa and Martial Arts fusion; and Bachata Fusion dance. Big things can come in small packages. In our brief performance, we want to bring pops of fun and flavor that will leave you asking for more!

#GivingTuesday

November 22, 2016 admin

SAVE THE DATE - November 29, 2016

ECDC is participating in a GLOBAL day of giving fueled by social media. This charitable event kicks off the holiday season and end of year giving.

ECDC relies on the support from individual donors in order to do the work we do in New Haven and surrounding areas. Will you help ECDC reach our goal of raising $5,000 before the New Year?

Your contribution will help support:

The world premiere of "If You Knew You Then", choreographed by Kellie Ann Lynch in collaboration with Luis Antonio, Lindsey Bauer, Nikki Carrara, Samantha Russell and Alicia White.

ECDC's 2017 youth and adult programming.

The making and performing of new and seasoned ECDC repertory.

GIVING IS EASY. MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION THROUGH PAYPAL - CLICK HERE

Spread the word! Use the following Hashtags #givingtuesday #ecdc

People in Motion

May 29, 2016 Kellie Lynch

Elm City Dance Collective invites you to a viewing of our community performance project, People in Motion, on June 5th, 2pm, Trinity Lutheran Church.

New Haven, CT - Elm City Dance Collective (ECDC) presents People in Motion, an Afternoon Showing of Dance, performed by ECDC and Friends. The showing will consist of three performances: “People in Motion”, performed by members of the New Haven and surrounding areas community; “If You Knew You Then” (in process), performed by ECDC; and “borderland” performed by Chloe Carlson. People in Motion will take place on Sunday, June 5th at 2pm, Trinity Lutheran Church | 292 Orange Street, New Haven. The showing is FREE and open to the public.

Over the last few months, ECDC has been working with community members from New Haven and surrounding areas on a performance project called People in Motion. Through a series of dance improvisation classes and a weekend-long workshop, ECDC’s People in Motion, community of non-dancers and dancers alike, focused on the process of creating a dance, as a community, in the moment. People in Motion engaged their creative sides through physical explorations and collaborative movement play. The community worked on building confidence and trust in themselves and each other; and cultivated a collective awareness with the intention of composing a dance in the moment. The guidelines and movement structures used to inform this project came directly from the process of “If You Knew You Then”, ECDC’s latest evening-length work (in process). “If You Knew You Then” will premiere in 2017.

People in Motion (the community performance project) is generously supported by the Arts Council of Greater New Haven through a community engagement grant. ECDC demonstrates the importance of having contemporary dance be more accessible in New Haven by offering experiences like People in Motion. We believe appreciating the art can come from welcoming others to participate in the act of making. Come out and support ECDC and Friends! We hope to see you there.

GAGA/DADA

March 16, 2016 elmcitydance

SAVE THE DATE: Gaga/Dada

APRIL 2, 1pm Open Rehearsal | April 3, 2pm Performance

CLICK HERE FOR YALE DANCE THEATER PROCESS BLOG

Yale Dance Theater (YDT) and the Gallery have invited artists Saar Harari and Lee Sher to create a new choreographic work for YDT dancers and Elm City Dance Collective that incorporates Gaga, a movement language developed by choreographer Ohad Naharin. Gaga, which has become highly influential in international contemporary dance, is the focus of YDT’s spring semester project. On Saturday, April 2, YDT students have an open rehearsal within the exhibition Everything Is Dada. Then, on Sunday, April 3, they perform the new piece in the space, juxtaposing the 21st-century Gaga aesthetic with Dada works of art. Generously sponsored by the Lydia Winston Malbin Fund; cosponsored by Yale Dance Theater, Dance Studies Curriculum, and the Theater Studies Program. Open to: General Public

"The imagery in Gaga reminds me of the imagery used in Alexander Technique or Feldenkrais. It is so rich and descriptive that I can actually see the forces at work, changing the way that I move. Gaga asks me questions about my habits. I don’t have the answers yet, but I am exploring.” - Lindsey Bauer

"I’ve not had much exposure to Gaga in the past, but I have a lot of experience with improvisation and dance. For me, Gaga is bridging the gap between sensation based explorations and improvisation as a tool to make choices. It feels almost like a somatic practice by way of the language and imagery used, yet it asks you challenge your physical threshold; and it’s extremely rigorous, because Gaga asks you to explore movement pathways you didn’t realize your body was capable of finding. My body is feeling pushed, energized and sometimes exhausted. My whole self is deeply appreciative of the emphasis on organs, tissue, bones and deep bodily sensations. For me, Gaga is bringing together two aspects of dance I sometimes feel like I live in." - Kellie Lynch