June 3 – 4, 2016
Rainier Arts Center
For Dare to Dance 6: Unity in Motion, we ventured out of the familiar ground of Capitol Hill and took up a new home at Rainier Valley Performance Center (now Rainer Arts Center). While we welcomed dazzling new work from returning choreographers, three first-time participants also brought exciting new voices to the show.
Accompanied by no music at all, My World Gumboot Dance introduced our audience to a dance tradition that originated in the mines of South Africa, where the dancers were also the drums. This project was a collaboration between Suzanne Simmons, owner of My World Dance & Fitness Studio in Seattle, and choreographer Sarah Van Borek, founder and artistic director of Gumboot BC. Suzanne coached and led a group of non-professional performers in Seattle, while Sarah provided choreography and guidance from Vancouver, Canada, before joining the group for the show weekend.
Another highly collaborative piece, Don’t Apologize, showcased the combined talents of songwriter/dancer Nina Reckinger, singer/pianist Niki Johnson, and choreographer Staria Grubb. These three teens brought us an amazingly complex performance featuring live piano and singing. Nina’s original song carried a strong message of standing up for yourself.
Splinter Dance Company, known for thoughtful exploration of weighty topics through dance, brought their lighter side to the show with retro-themed Let’s Be Bad. Built on music from the TV show Smash and fast-paced choreography by Jared Jones, this one is best enjoyed without blinking.
Videos
Credits
Artistic Director
Zheng Wang
Administrative Director
Sandi Olson
Stage Manager
Jared Jones
Assistant Stage Managers
Katrina Helle
Darius Olson
Lighting Designer
Rob Falk
House Manager
Crystal Krippaehne
Box Office Manager
Luann Wells
Video Camera Operator
Ryan Edwards
Michelle Javan
Amie Kim
Photographer
Ariel Bravy
Tim Hannfin
Video Featurettes
Green Carpet Studio
Poster Design
Byron Gronseth Creative
Choreographers & Performers
“MY WORLD GUMBOOT DANCE”
Choreographed by Sarah Van Borek
Dance Co-Captained by Suzanne Simmons and Stephanie Mano
Performed by Chareesa Graham, Stephanie Mano, Margaret Metz, Sandi Olson, Renato Oliva, Suzanne Simmons, Xen Rabara, Sarah Van Borek
“PANDA”
“Panda” by Desiigner, “G.O.M.D.” by J Cole, “Red Lips” by GTA ft. Sam Bruno
Choreographed by Impulse ArtistryPerformed by members of Impulse Artistry
“DON’T APOLOGIZE” by Nina Reckinger
Choreographed by Staria Grubb
Performed by Nina Reckinger, Brynn Tweeddale, Keri DeTore, Chareesa Graham, Mariana Rios
Live performance by Niki Johnson
“LET’S BE BAD” from the NBC series “Smash”
Choreographed by Jared Jones
Performed by Robin Campbell, Katrina Helle, Jared Jones, Carolyn Mull, Amanda Radcliff, Denise Rounsavelle, Nasim Simmons, and Ali ViceSpecial thanks to Katrina Helle for her pattycake and can-can expertise
“SENSE 8”
“Urn” by Childish Gambino, “Fade” by Kanye West, “Beautiful People” by Chris Brown
Choreographed and performed by Jonathan Williams, Vanessa O’Francia, Shaniqua Baker (tap), Charly Stephens-Cohen, Jeanine Patterson (hula hoop), Turnity (hula hoop), Trey (juggling), and ensemble
“LOVE YOURSELF” by Justin Bieber
Choreographed and performed by Richard Knowles and Vidette McDowell
“WE BELONG” from the motion pictures “Pitch Perfect” and “Pitch Perfect 2”
Choreographed by Zheng Wang with Carissa Destinia, Mariana Rios, and Kendra Bohm
Performed by The Princapellas – Amanda Fischer, Chareesa Graham, Colby Solum, Crystal Pearson, Keri DeTore, Luann Wells, Lupe Galarza, Mariana Rios, and Xen RabaraChoral arrangements by Crystal PearsonSpecial thanks to TEN20 Apartments, Luann Seamstress” Wells, and Tess Buchthal
“CREEP” by Postmodern Jukebox ft. Haley Reinhart
Choreographed and performed by Brynn Tweeddale
“KISS” by Prince and the Revolution
Choreographed by Alaina Dale
Performed by members of Impulse Artistry