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Philadanco. The Philadelphia Dance Company returns to the Joyce Thteater with the New York premiere of Philadelphia Experiment (June 16-21, Manhattan, NY)

by Sarah Hart
June 16, 2009
The Joyce Theater
175 Eighth Avenue (at the corner of 19th Street)
New York, NY 10011
212-242-0800
PHILADANCO, the Philadelphia Dance Company, will return to The Joyce Theater for a week-long engagement this summer from June 16 – 21 with a program that includes the NYC premiere of Philadelphia Experiment and a selection of audience favorites such as Enemy Behind the Gates. Tickets start at $19 and are available by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or via the internet at Joyce.org. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea.


Known for their speed, athleticism and virtuosity, PHILADANCO returns to The Joyce as a prelude to its 40th Anniversary Season. In celebration of the "Philadelphia Connection," the company will present the NYC premiere of Philadelphia Experiment, a work by legendary Philadelphia hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris. By popular demand, the program will also include Enemy Behind the Gates by Christopher L. Huggins and additional works in the performance style that has delighted Joyce audiences for years.


ABOUT PHILADANCO

The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) founded by Joan Myers Brown in 1970, is a modern contemporary dance company that tours nationally and internationally. For 39 years, the company has traveled the country and the world, performing before sold-out audiences of diverse people of all ages, creed, ethnicity and cultural traditions. PHILADANCO has a history of being a trailblazer, the pilot dance company to be part of the State of Pennsylvania, Comprehensive Education Training Act, arts training program. It is one of the first companies to hire dancers on a 52 week salary, the first to own housing for the dancers and the first to own a debt-free facility. It is also the company which founded the International Conference of Black Dance Companies and International Association of Blacks in Dance which addresses the special needs of the African American dance community in a supportive environment. The company's success can be directly attributed to its quality programs, which are comprised of five major components: The Professional Performing Company; the 40 week Instruction and Training Program; 6 week Summer Training program; D/2 (Danco2); and D/3 (Danco3). Each program is run at peak efficiency and includes classes in ballet, modern, jazz and African dance, taught by internationally known guest choreographers and dance teachers.


The professional company tours more than any Philadelphia cultural organization, performing as many as 50-60 concerts and 45 residencies annually. The New York Times critic, Jennifer Dunning stated that PHILADANCO is "A company of happy, invigorating contrast…a venerable institution…but has not lost its youthful verve or the freshness of its strong technical grounding."


Over the years PHILADANCO has trained thousands of dancers. The impact of the caliber of training the dancers receive, reaches far beyond the local dance community. The Instruction and Training Program consists of 40 weeks of intensive training in various dance techniques by nationally renowned teachers in ballet, jazz, modern and distinct techniques such as Dunham, Horton, and Graham. Each participant is selected by open auditions monitored by teachers, supporters and staff. They also receive free of charge, dancewear including shoes, counseling when needed and mentoring by members of the company. Instruction and Training participants experience a wide range of opportunities to learn, work and perform.


PHILADANCO will perform according to the following schedule at The Joyce Theater from June 16 – 21: Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30pm; Thursday & Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm; Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm. Tickets are $19; $35; $49 (for Joyce Members $26; $37), and can be arranged by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or online at Joyce.org. NOTE: Ticket prices are subject to change. For more information about PHILADANCO, please visit www.philadanco.org. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.


* * *


Leadership support for The Joyce Theater's 2008–2009 season has been received from the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust.


The Joyce Theater Foundation gratefully acknowledges The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation for its generous endowment to support dance performances at The Joyce Theater.


Special support to celebrate cultural heritage through dance provided by American Express.


The Joyce Theater's Subsidized Rental Program is made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Major support for The Joyce has been provided by The Boeing Company, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, First Republic Bank, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Starr Foundation and an endowment created by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund to encourage the performances of out-of-town companies at The Joyce Theater.
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