Michael J Epstein Memorial Library + BalletRox liven up The Strand
New Look & Listen
Song & Dance Unite
June 18th at The Strand
543 Columbia Road, Dorchester MA
BalletRox Springs Out of the Box
with The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library
and special guest vocalist Sarah RabDAU
Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 7 pm
Tickets: Available
$20 center / $10 side
with The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library
and special guest vocalist Sarah RabDAU
Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 7 pm
Tickets: Available
$20 center / $10 side
The Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library is intriguing and irresistible in their own right, with folksy charm, orchestral majesty, quirky ‘baroque-pop’ and clever, poetic lyrics. But when they team with powerhouse vocalist Sarah RabDAU (of Sarah RabDAU and Self-Employed Assassins) to present a very special performance with the BalletRox YouthRox Dance Company, what you have is an evening of consummate musicianship, innovative dance, and grassroots community action colliding in a beautiful way.
BalletRox Springs Out of the Box is a variety dance show featuring live music accompaniment. It is the result of an ongoing collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the city of Boston to help bring affordable and accessible arts programming to the underserved communities of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan.
There have been ballet performances incorporating indie rock music (The Shins, Sufjan Stevens); however, this may well be the first to feature music composed with a choreographer to create original music and unique choreography simultaneously. “Faith in Free” is an original 3-song piece composed in conjunction with BalletRox choreographer Jane Allard, who also happens to be MJEML’s melodica and glockenspiel player. It is a song series that examines “the cycle of freedom from rebellion to hopelessness to ultimate triumph.”
This unique collaboration promises to be a wonderful evening of music and dance, and a chance to show support for two organizations that are introducing underprivileged children to the arts, greatly supporting their local community.
BalletRox’s mission is “to use the power of dance to break down racial barriers and enrich the community's artistic experience through the creation of a diverse dance company and school.” They offer scholarships for at-risk, urban children with limited finances; opportunities to perform in critically acclaimed productions; and developmental support and training that goes far beyond just teaching dance technique.
The Strand Theatre has a similar mission, in their development of youth arts education programs, and in their support of the surrounding communities. - JULIE STOLLER
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