Nazareth College invites you to put on your dancing shoes for the annual MAD (Movement and Dance) Weekend, October 26-28, at the Nazareth College Arts Center. The event is run by Nazareth College's Theatre and Dance Department, Theatre League, and Nazareth Dance Organization. There will be more than 30 events, including a variety of dance and movement master classes that are open to the community. It's the perfect event for college students, high schoolers, community members, and professionals to come together in their love for dance!
"MAD Weekend is an opportunity for the campus and community to come together and experience different styles and cultures of dance, as well as be exposed to new ways of learning dance, from both regionally-based and national guest artists," said Heather Roffe, associate professor of dance in Theatre and Dance at Nazareth College. "It's the most expansive and comprehensive dance festival in the Rochester/Western New York area."
The weekend starts on Friday, October 26 at 10:30 a.m. for registration and continues through Sunday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m., when the MAD Artists' Showcase will take place in Callahan Theater. This is the last event of the weekend, which features a performance and a talkback session. The full schedule of classes and events is available at naz.edu/MAD.
Guest Artists
Nazareth College is excited to announce an evening performance with NYC-based group 10 Hairy Legs on Friday, October 26 at 7 p.m. in Callahan Theater. 10 Hairy Legs, an all-male repertory program, presents a full program of 5 works, 4 of which are exclusive commissions featuring choreographers Al Blackstone, Doug Elkins, Raja Feather Kelly, Christopher Williams, and Yin Yue. The diverse works highlight the company's exceptional artistry and mastery of diverse esthetics. A question and answer session follows the performance. Tickets: $10 cash at the door.
"We have guest artists from both the concert dance and musical theatre dance worlds, with lots of professional experience to share with our community" said Roffe.
The MAD Artists' Showcase on Sunday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Callahan Theater will feature works by choreographers Daniel Fetecua (guest choreographer and board member of ID Studio Theater, a nonprofit organization; NYC), Daniel Gwirtzman (producer, director, educator, filmmaker and dancer; Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company; NYC), Gierre Godley (artistic director and choreographer; Project 44; Chicago), Dougie Robbins ( choreographer and teacher; DPR Dance), Heather Roffe (program director of dance; Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department; HR Dance; Rochester, N.Y.), Rose Pasquarello Beauchamp (artistic director; inFluxdance), Natalia Lisina (dance teacher; Russian Centre "Sunshine;" BIODANCE; Rochester, N.Y.), Nanako Horikawa (freelance dancer and choreographer), Sara Gallo (St. George Dance Company; NYC), and Treeline Dance Company (NYC). Tickets: $10 cash at the door.
Classes and workshops
Classes include several forms of dance: modern, Shakespearean, contemporary, ballet, urban contemporary, Afro-fusion, and ways to prevent dance injuries and use dance as a way to build peace. Technique classes are open to dancers, actors, and movers ages 15 and older of all skill levels. All classes will be held in the Nazareth College Arts Center. Classes are $5 each, with discounts for multiple classes purchased.
"I encourage the community to come out and try new things, you never know what is going to spark your passion unless you go out of your comfort zone," said Roffe.
Tickets
Tickets for classes and concerts will be sold during registration (beginning at 10:30 a.m.) on Friday, October 26 in the Arts Center Lower Lobby. Cash only please. Classes are $5 each, and those who purchase 5 classes for $25 get their 6th class FREE. If you're in a group of 10 or more people, you'll receive 15% off classes. General seating for the MAD Artists Showcase AND the 10 Hairy Legs 10/26 performance is $10 each, with a $5 discount if a Naz I.D. is shown. For more information, including the schedule of events, visit naz.edu/MAD.
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.