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In Fifth Year, Richmond Dance Festival Brings Together Local and National Artists

James Robinson | May 4, 2018

Topics: dance, Dogtown Dance Theatre, Richnmond Dance Festival

As The Richmond Dance Festival enters its fifth year, organizer and dance artist Jess Burgess took a quick break from her preparations to sit down with RVA Mag and highlight some of the best national and local artists performing in this year’s edition of the annual event.

The project of Manchester-based Dogtown Dance Theatre is a celebration of diversity and talent across multiple genres and disciplines.  “I hope that every show offers something for everyone… even if the show has a piece you don’t like, it has two you do like,” said Burgess of the festival.

Burgess seeks to serve two audiences: Dance fans and local artists who need venues and performance spaces. She accomplishes that with a special free series, called the informal showcase. ”It’s open to anyone to submit any genre of art. We’ve had dancers, writers, poets, film artists show work.”

Image may contain: one or more people, people dancing and text

Including ballet, modern contemporary, hip hop and film works, the festival holds a variety of performance genres and talent here in Richmond. Featured companies include KARAR, Mamluft&Co, RADAR, and Agua Dulce. With all the national talent at this year’s festival, Burgess wanted to highlight the newer artists, saying they were shining just as brightly as the more well-known performers. “All the work in the Richmond Dance Festival this season, even the work that set on students is really smart,” she said. “And it’s cool to see Richmond have such a strong artistic voice alongside some of these national artists.”

For this weekend, RDF will feature a showcase from University of Richmond’s assistant dance professor, Alicia Diaz and her company Agua Dulce. Mamluft&Co, who Burgess calls an “insanely strong” modern dance company, stars in their own showcase as well. Alongside performances by Nina Simone and Eric Mullis, the English National Ballet will feature their film work directed by Jessica Wright. The final weekend show on May 11 & 12 will feature groups such as RADAR, Turning Key, KARAR and RVA Dance Collective with films by Nick Zoulek and Dylan Wilbur.

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Photo By: Dave Parrish Photography

For the show on May 5, there will be a special matinee performance titled, RDF Next Generation. A brand new addition to the festival, the showcase will feature high school students having the chance to perform in a professional setting, something that Burgess hopes will help aspiring dance students. “They also get the opportunity to see Richmond Dance Festival, the professional performances that weekend as well,” she said. “I’m working with Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and they’re coming in the first weekend and I’m going to give them a tour of the building and talk about Arts Administration and other opportunities in the field for dancers and what you can do with a career, and they get to take a master class with one of the visiting artists and they perform in the second weekend.”

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Although RDF is their big annual event, Burgess also wanted to point to the daily work at Dogtown as something to watch. “More and more I find I’m inspired by the artists that are coming in and out of this building as I progress in my career,” she said. “There’s just so many types of movement vocabulary out there and it’s cool to see them all have a home they can live in.”

On the 5th anniversary of the festival, Burgess said she was proud to see the ongoing growth both in the show and the talent. “It’s getting bigger every year, actually we increased the overall number of choreographers this year and got the additional funding for the Next Generation Performance,” she said. “So yeah, it’s definitely gaining traction and showcasing really cool work. It’s a mix of a lot of Richmond artists and then some national artists and then a lot of the film artists are international actually – the dance film that we’re showing. So, it’s a really cool show.”

This year, Richmond Dance Festival will showcase the work of 18 choreographers and nine film artists. The festival’s shows will continue to run on May 4-5 and 11-12 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.

DJ Hoody at Little Saint

Joe Vanderhoff | March 8, 2018

Topics: dance, DJ HOODY, drink specials, Little Saint

DJ Hoody killing the dancefloor at Little Saint one more time. Just when you thought it was safe to sit down you’re not gonna be able to resist The Call To Shake It. Drink specials all night, come hang out or get super loose. Or both.

That 1 Guy at The Camel

Joe Vanderhoff | March 6, 2018

Topics: Bass, dance, jam, live music, magic, That 1 Guy

The Trigger System/RVA Shows Presents!

THAT 1 GUY
With an extensive and amazing track record of unique and imaginative performances featuring his curious instrument and copious amounts of originality, Mike Silverman, a/k/a That1Guy, has set himself apart as a true one-of-a-kind talent that rivals any other artist currently in the entertainment industry. Averaging 150-200 shows a year all over North America and Canada, he has been a consistent favorite at such festivals as: Wakarusa, Electric Forest, Big Day out, All Good Music Festival, Bella, High Sierra Music
Festival, Summer Meltdown, Montreal Jazz Festival, and many more. He was also the ‘Tap Water Award’ winner at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for best musical act. His legendary collaboration and multiple tours with Buckethead performing as The Frankenstein Brothers has further cemented his virtuoso story as a creative visionary.

DATE: April 3
VENUE: The Camel
TIMES: Doors at 8 and show at 9
TICKETS: On sale now at www.richmondshows.com

The Fritz w/ LITZ at The Camel

Joe Vanderhoff | March 6, 2018

Topics: dance, jam band, live music, th fritz

Cover: $10 ADV / $12 DOS
Ages: 21+

Join THE FRITZ Fan Club!

The Fritz is a soul-driven dance rock band hailing from Asheville, NC. The group’s aggressive approach to funk, soul, and rock creates a sound that is uniquely their own. Their high-energy, danceable songs provide a platform for each member to shine. With powerful vocals, climactic solos, and tight grooves, The Fritz has built a devoted following and is captivating audiences everywhere.

Originally formed in the rehearsal spaces of University of North Florida’s School of Music, The Fritz discovered an immediate chemistry. Drawing on influences such as Prince, Talking Heads and Jimi Hendrix, the quintet integrated their diverse musical tastes and began writing music together.

With their college days behind them, the Fritz soon set their eyes on the mountains of Western North Carolina, eventually settling in Asheville in July 2011. After the release of their 2012 debut album, Bootstrap, the band launched into a near-constant touring schedule. With appearances at festivals such as Hulaween, Wakarusa, and Catskill Chill, the band quickly gained a reputation as a live act not to be missed.

The band’s 2017 release, Natural Mind, captures a sound that has been years in the making.

“We intentionally waited to go back into the studio so that we could really work on the music and figure out what makes this band special,” vocalist and keyboardist Jamar Woods said.

For the new album, The Fritz headed north to More Sound Studios in Syracuse, NY and enlisted the help of producer Dave Brandwein (Turkuaz, Galaxy Smith Studios) and engineers Jason “Jocko” Randall and Jose Varona to assist with the recording process.

“We wanted to work with a producer whose work we respected and who we trusted to add a different perspective,” percussionist Mikey “Spice” Evans said. “Dave played an invaluable role in producing our album.”

While most of the songs were written in the months leading up to recording, the studio environment allowed for some last minute additions and musical breakthroughs.

“We really wanted to arrange these songs specifically for the studio, which was both challenging and fun for us” guitarist Jamie Hendrickson said. “Now we’re very excited to get on the road and have these songs take on a life of their own.”

The band is now taking the album and their unforgettable live performances around the country with the Natural Mind tour.

Check out www.thefritzmusic.com for local tour dates near you.

Review: Richmond Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Christopher McDaniel | December 14, 2017

Topics: Carpenter Theatre, dance, Minds in Motion Ambassadors, Richmond Ballet, The Nutcracker

“The Nutcracker” on opening night was something to behold. On Sat. Dec. 9, Richmond Ballet premiered its annual festive production at the Carpenter Theatre for families and dance enthusiasts alike. With extravagant costumes and detailed set design, Richmond Ballet’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” is iconic.

The performance’s symphony played in the pit, and the curtains rose to the overture put forth from clarinets, violins, and French horns. Apart from the dazzling story, the live music was the most enjoyable part of the evening. Hearing that bassoon rip the run in “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” was immensely satisfying.

Photo by Branden Wilson

The first act of the production begins as a story through movement with musical accompaniment, telling the old tale of a girl, a mouse, and a nutcracker. From the start, Richmond Ballet’s incorporation of their students in the School of Richmond Ballet and Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion Ambassadors into “The Nutcracker” is the program’s strongest quality by far. Yes, the art and skill are phenomenal, but to see Richmond Ballet put children from their dance programs alongside their company dancers – that accessibility is what makes this community stronger.

The props, pyrotechnics, and tech crew deserve shoutouts for their execution in that first act, as well as Lauren Archer and Matthew Frain’s performance. The second act is when the remaining company dancers take turns on the stage. Costuming from around the world accompanied cultural dances in the guise of ballet. Chinese, Spanish, Russian dances and more provided rich context in the “Kingdom of Sweets” for children and parents.

My favorite performances of the night went to “Marzipan (Mirliton Dance)” with Sabrina Holland, Marty Davis, and the cutest lambs I’ve ever seen. This piece epitomizes that accessibility for Richmond Ballet children to get an opportunity to perform with professional dancers. And the “Grand Pas de Deux” from Maggie Small and Fernando Sabino was breathtaking. Magnificent all around.

Photos by Sara Ferguson 

Review: Richmond Ballet’s “Trio” Uplifted Every Spirit Watching

Christopher McDaniel | November 8, 2017

Topics: Carpenter Theatre, dance, Dominion Arts Center, Richmond Ballet, richmond symphony, trio, vcu

Richmond Ballet’s “Trio” transformed the Carpenter Theatre into three separate worlds with three remarkably presented ballets. Prior to the 2017 premiere of the “Trio,” RVA Mag was able to join the Richmond Ballet’s Company dancers as they prepared to present their repertoire to not only Richmond, but Norfolk as well. The rehearsals of “Gloria,” “Silence,” and “Journey” reflected what was executed on the main stage; the ballet master meticulously spot -checking and polishing routines for consistency and poise.

The curtain rose to “Gloria,” a choreographic interpretation of Vivaldi’s classic, and the work featured a marvelous collaboration between the Ballet, the Richmond Symphony, and the Virginia Commonwealth University Commonwealth Singers. This grandstanding, traditional ballet encompasses what dance is capable of in a multi-media digestion of artistic content. Vivaldi, a classic, would receive classical treatment within the confines of ballet, which I find boring from repetition, but this was never the case while I watched “Gloria.” The most notable performances of the piece coming from the second movement, comprised of three sets of gorgeous partnering, and the tenth movement, which featured a striking, articulated solo from Eri Nishihara.

My personal favorite of the night came with the second ballet, “Silence.” Originally a smaller work that premiered at New Works, choreographer Gina Patterson was commissioned by the Ballet to travel to Richmond and fully produce the work. This is how the floating pillar came to be, as well as the walking red dress performer. But, what truly captivated my interest about the choreographic layout was the highly-occupied space of dancers in a perpetual state of redress and organic redirection. With so much occurring at once, I always knew where to look. “Silence” is an outright breathtaking pillar of contemporary ballet. Also, special kudos to Fernando Sabino and Maggie Small’s performance.

Last in the “Trio” lineup was “Journey,” a form-breaking ballet consisting of an all-male cast. No other words can describe these twelve professional male dancers besides virtuous and essential. The piece’s original choreographer, Salvatore Aiello, crafted the work to honor the male dancer, who he had believed broke a glass ceiling in the industry. Men don’t just have to lift the women, but they can be lifted themselves. The most thought-provoking quote uttered during those rehearsals rang a little like, “You’re not lifting them, you’re catching them, so they don’t fly away.” That tenderness is the point, and that tenderness received a standing ovation.

Richmond Ballet’s next performance will be “The Nutcracker,” premiering on Sat, Dec 9, at the Dominion Arts Center.

Photo Credits: Sarah Ferguson 

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