IMC streams dance classes, curated performance series

Posted 4/2/20

Island Moving Company (IMC), Newport's classically trained, uniquely accessible, contemporary ballet company and its professional school, The Newport Academy of Ballet (NAB), announces "e;CLIMB THE WALLS & DANCE!,"e; a new series of live-streamed and

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IMC streams dance classes, curated performance series

Posted

Island Moving Company (IMC), Newport’s classically trained, uniquely accessible, contemporary ballet company and its professional school, The Newport Academy of Ballet (NAB), announces “CLIMB THE WALLS & DANCE!,” a new series of

live-streamed and recorded content that can be accessed at home or anywhere people are connected to the internet.

IMC’s mission is to build the cultural, educational and economic vitality of the community through dance creation, performance and education.

“Bringing people together for shared experiences, and the healing and transformative power of great live dance and world-class dance education experiences is core to IMC’s work,” executive director Peter Bramante said. “Due to current circumstances and the ongoing health emergency, we have had to develop innovative programming and find new ways to connect with our audiences, students and dance lovers.”

“CLIMB THE WALLS & DANCE!” is IMC’s response to provide original, world-class dance education and performance content for current patrons and the broader Rhode Island community who are longing for creative connection and stimulating content. It was launched with live-streamed movement classes for adults and children on March 23.

The inaugural series of movement classes includes Ballet Barre & Stretch, Creative Movement, Jazz and Wellness & Meditation. All classes are taught by professional faculty affiliated with IMC and The Newport Academy of Ballet.

Classes are streamed through IMC’s social media platforms from 12:30-1 p.m., each week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The schedule and links to the classes are updated weekly and may be accessed from IMC’s website, islandmovingco.org.

“The variety of classes available through this series are designed to provide a vigorous and enjoyable experience that can easily be done from the participants’ home,” said Libby Stackhouse, NAB registrar. “These free, 30-minute micro-classes are available to everyone and are a great way to engage with new and wonderful things to watch and do.”

Additional classes including, Hip- Hop, Salsa, Contemporary and Ballet technique are being developed and will be added over time. NAB is also developing a series of classes for students already enrolled in the academy’s current semester through IMC’s private YouTube channel. NAB classes are provided by invitation-only. Current and prospective enrollees can call with any questions at 849-8473.

“Great Dance in Great Places” is the performance arm of “CLIMB THE WALLS & DANCE!” It is curated by IMC’s artistic director, Miki Ohlsen, and associate artistic director, Danielle Genest. Broadcast performances have been selected from IMC’s repertory archives and will be provided at no cost.

“Great Dance in Great Places” will premiere on Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. and will be available through IMC’s website.

“The works selected for this performance series showcase the wonderful diversity of choreography that IMC presents, and are recorded in a number of the amazing performance venues in which we produce work,” Ohlsen said. “Each installation of ‘Great Dance in Great Places’ has been crafted to include a sequence of three individual works. Viewers will see IMC dancers displaying their artistry in works created by choreographers from around the globe – from the

iconic Jose Limon to Maurice Causey and many more.”

“The staff and board of IMC are working diligently to monitor COVID-19 developments and create responsive programming that offers our community access to resources as well as ways to connect to each other – with the safety of all as our top priority,” Bramante said. “Rest assured, as soon as it is prudent to return to regular programming, we’ll be dancing with delight and ready to welcome you back to classes and performances in person. Until then, we’ll continue to create new resources and ways for you to connect with us and our community.”

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