ArtsFest Dance Festvial

On Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20th from 3 to 5 pm the free ArtsFest Dance Festival will be showcasing astonishing dance performances by professional companies and local schools at the Whitney Young Auditorium at New Rochelle High School (265 Clove Rd., NR). Immerse yourself in the profound beauty of dance and sample a variety of dance styles.

Saturday, October 19^th

Ajkun Ballet Theatre [AjkunBT] is internationally renowned for its world-class performances of riveting new choreography by artistic director and resident choreographer Chiara Ajkun. The Company’s extensive repertory spans from 19th century classics to compelling new choreography performed by award-winning artists. The Company roster features 35 artists remarked for artistry, athleticism, and elegance. 

Christy Walsh/stringdance+media Stringdance+media was founded in 2001 by Christy Walsh as a vehicle for her film and choreography projects. Drawing from a broad range of topics; history, mythology, philosophy, Walsh crafts narratives through movement that borrows liberally from ballet, flamenco, contemporary dance and musical theater. The group has performed in conventional venues and specific sites in the United States, Greece, and Korea.

MorDance  is located in Hastings, Westchester and NYC. MorDance is a trailblazing, women-led ballet company striving to innovate, elevate, and diversify the ballet landscape to convey a true reflection of our contemporary world. Now in their 10th season MorDance is committed to furthering accessibility, diversity, and creativity in the field of ballet. The company has been praised for its “eye for shaping the arc of a dance as carefully as the transitions and details within it” (Siobhan Burke, New York Times), its “Ingenuity, originality, and vision…” and called “to put it mildly, a knockout” (Jerry Hochman, Critical Dance) 

 TORCH Dance Theatre (“Teaching Our Roots, Capturing History”) The mission of TORCH Dance Theatre is to archive African-American stories (past, present, and future) by establishing a community engagement framework, which provides interactive dance performances, culturally responsive dance training and education, and leadership-oriented programming for the advancement of the humanity and artistry of all people. TORCH Dance Theatre is excited to launch their fourth season performance. 

Ballet Arts (the Performing Arts Center of Southern Westchester) is a vibrant ensemble of talented dancers, carefully chosen by the director to dive deep into the world of choreography and advanced techniques. Throughout the year, these students have the chance to showcase their skills in various community performances, embodying the essence of Ballet Arts mission; early education in the performing arts is fundamental and foundational, providing the universal language through which we share so many intangible and invaluable qualities, behaviors and culture. Ballet Arts cultivates a dynamic and supportive environment that nurtures growth, creativity, and confidence — essential qualities for any journey our students embark upon.

Ballet des Amériques / Carole Alexis Ballet Theatre Founded in 2011 by director-choreographer Carole Alexis, a Creole woman, Ballet des Amériques/Carole Alexis Ballet Theatre is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating a professional dance company — now based in both New York City and in White Plains — as well as a pre-professional ballet conservatory. In its first thirteen years, the dance company, composed of dancers of multicultural backgrounds, has performed Carole Alexis’ choreographic work in hundreds of productions throughout the greater New York City area as well as internationally.

Sunday, October 20^th

Accent Dance NYC is a non-profit dance and performance initiative that champions arts education in schools and communities in New York City, Westchester, and beyond. From ballet to hip hop, West African to contemporary dance, salsa, tango, martial arts-based dance and more, our programs celebrate multiculturalism, identity, and self-expression.

PAVE is the premier arts program at New Rochelle High School. Begun in 1999, teacher/artists designed PAVE to develop talented students in the arts. Within the PAVE Dance studio students study technique, form and choreography, through multiple styles of dance. They are expected to demonstrate proficiency in solo and ensemble settings. For more about PAVE go to Performing & Visual Arts at New Rochelle High School (youtube.com)

Hudson Ballet Theater provides accessible and high-quality dance performances for Westchester County, New York and the US as well as dance training through its youth ballet program. HBT is committed to providing access to dance to all, as well as being a resource of support and a vessel for change, particularly within the dance community. HBT’s repertoire includes new and innovative dance works that honor the art of storytelling.

Steffi Nossen Dance Company is the school’s premiere performance ensemble for pre-professional dancers in grades 9th-12th. Company members are selected from the most technically advanced dancers in the Master Class program through an audition in the Spring. Company Dancers are trained in an extensive, well-rounded curriculum of Modern, Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz and have the unique opportunity to work with world renowned choreographers. In addition, they perform in lecture demonstrations and community outreach programs throughout Westchester and multiple performance showcases in the tri-state area.

Dance Ministry Institute (DMI) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose purpose is to spread the gospel through artistic expression. Founded by Robert Evans who also serves as DMI’s artistic director, DMI is known for its annual production Nativity Birth of A King, a full-scale dance drama that unveils the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ through the artistic expressions of dance and song. For tickets to this year’s performances at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in New York City on Dec. 14th and 15th go to Nativity — DMI (dmiexp.org)

The Coleman School of Dance instills a love of dance while developing artistry and character growth. Students work on their technique and enhance their skills in creative expression, choreography, improvisation, and the vocabulary of movement. The Coleman School of Dance imparts the essential elements of great dance: teamwork and the individual pursuit of excellence. The teachers foster self-confidence in a free and caring environment. 

Not part of the Dance Festival, but another dance-related ArtsFest event:

On Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm stop by the Fall Fest Open House at the JCC Mid-Westchester (999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, NY; 914-768-8882; jccmw.org ) to experience the programming for all ages available at this multi-generational cultural center open to all. Sample drop-in dance classes, edible gardening, PJ library story hour, a breath-body-mind meditation class, plus inside and outside games, raffles and activities. Adult dance classes include K-Pop, Family Jazz, Contemporary. Absolute Beginner Ballet, Beginner Ballet and Intermediate Ballet; children’s dance classes include Tiny Toes, Creative Ballet, Ballet Basics, Tiny Tappers and Jazz.

About New Rochelle Council on the Arts

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public\’s interest and participation therein. It has been exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. To create opportunities for the public to encounter and explore art and increase access to the arts in New Rochelle.

NRCA has been in existence for nearly 40 years — it was created by a resolution adopted by the New Rochelle City Council on April 8, 1975. Our mission is to stimulate and encourage the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and the public’s interest and participation therein. This is exemplified by our sponsorship of a vast number of exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series.