www.sarasotacontemporarydance.org
SARASOTA CONTEMPORARY DANCE’S “JAZZY” 11th SEASON KICK-OFF PERFORMANCE, OCTOBER 13-16, 2016
Sarasota Contemporary Dance (SCD) is excited to kick off its 11th season, October 13-16, presenting “Jazz + SCD”, a performance choreographed by Artistic Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott. The eclectic SCD company members have joined forces with renowned Jazz musicians Shane Chalke (a popular local Jazz trumpeter), Ben McPherron on the bass, Jim Fleri on piano, and Michael Willis on the drums for a collaborative production. Led by Shane Chalke, the musicians will bring a fresh perspective as SCD adds their contemporary flavor throughout the evening of Jazz delicacies. This production promises to become an SCD season highlight, reminiscent of the company’s earlier successful partnership with Jazz Juvenocracy. With new arrangements of Jazz favorites from his latest CD, “Jazz in Thin Air”, collaborator Shane Chalke says “I love Jazz. I love dance. Bringing them both together is a rare treat. I became enthralled with modern dance when I played live Jazz for a dance troupe in Massachusetts when I was just 19 years old. Now, 40 years later, here we are again. It’s wonderful for me to be able to bring the members of my Jazz quartet “B.E. Jazz” down from North Carolina to play this show.”
SCD is proud to be able to once more offer its supporters season subscriptions. “This is due to the great response from 10th season performance attendees and a growth in ticket sales,” said Bolaños Wilmott. The four-performance season subscription is $149 for the following:
- Jazz + SCD, October 13–16, 2016
- Voices of Sarasota Contemporary Dance, December 1–4, 2016
- Dance Makers – 11th Annual Concert, February 9–12, 2017
- Evolving/Revolving, May 11–14, 2017
All performances will be held at the Jane B. Cook Theater at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts at these times: 7:30 Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sundays.
KICK OFF PEFRORMANCE DETAILS:
Jazz + Sarasota Contemporary Dance
Thursday, October 13- Sunday, October 16
Performances: 7:30 pm, except Sun 2:00 pm
Jane B. Cook Theater at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, selection seating
Season Subscription or Single Tickets: 941.359.0099
Claudia Rightimare, an SCD company dancer, says:
“This show is the beginning of it all for me. We have so many strengths and so many personalities. We share our sass, our confidence, our love for music, and our complexities as performers. I get to be a fed up housewife, a spicy Jazz girl, and a free, improvisational mover all in one show. We have fun on the stage and give a performance that is sure to get the audience dancing along in their seats, too. What could be better?”
“This show is something unique; something fresh. I grew into my professional body with a “Contemporary Modern” label. SCD gave me an opportunity to break through this label. Being a part of this company and seeing dancers who find their homes in so many different techniques is exciting for me. Everywhere I look, I see something new. I don’t just have to be one thing. I am so inspired by all of the newness and all of the individuality each dancer brings to our rehearsal process. We take from one another, share with one another, and support each other in our journeys.”
About Sarasota Contemporary Dance
Sarasota Contemporary Dance was formed in 2002 as Fuzión Dance Artists, Sarasota’s first contemporary dance company, by Co-Founders Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Rachael Inman. Now in its 11th season, the company was renamed in 2015, and continues to bring dance to the community through eclectic performances and educational programming, while collaborating with artists and community groups to enrich the human experience.
About Shane Chalke
Shane Chalke began his love affair with the trumpet at age 10. Over the years, he has played in a variety of funk bands, swing bands, and jazz combos. In 2007 he left his career as a mathematician to pursue jazz full time. When he and his wife Monique moved from the Washington D.C. area to Banner Elk, NC in 2011, he formed B.E. Jazz to bring straight-ahead jazz to the high country. Now in their 6th season, this core group of jazz musicians has stayed together over the years, performing several times a week in the NC mountains during the tourist season. In the winters Shane and Monique live in Sarasota, FL, where Shane plays frequently in local clubs with his jazz trio.
