ATLANTA DON'T MISS EMERGING: A NEW CHOREOGRAPHER'S WORKSHOP THIS WEEKEND

EMERGING: A New Choreographers Workshop returns for its third installment, and first anniversary, on December 6th and 7th at 8pm at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center for the Arts. EMERGING evolved as a way to nurture new talent in the fine art of choreography. Young choreographers apply to be a part of the process that pairs each one to a mentor, and space to do their work. Mentors guide choreographers through the process, and prepare them for the stage. In addition to the artistic work each choreographer is educated on the behind the scenes aspect of production via a partnership with the dance department at The University of Georgia. Christopher Flemming, technical director at UGA Dance, will be teaching the young choreographers the skills of lighting, staging, and directing the team as they hang, focus lights, and build out the space that there work will be presented in. EMERGING, is a multi-­ layered process that educates and guides the artist through each step of art  making. Kim Thomas, owner of Gotta Dance Atlanta, has renewed her commitment to sponsoring EMERGING, and these young developing artist. GDA provides rehearsal space for the choreographers, as well as, access to the talented teaching staff that is available every step of the way. This years mentors are Stephan Reynolds, Monica Noble, Monica Wilson, Kiki Ely, and Gary Beauford. For the anniversary of EMERGING, we will follow up with some of the choreographers that created the original show, and be able to see how their work has progressed. Claythan Conerly, Xavier Durman, Lauren Debrick, and Evari Pickett were apart of the original process, and will graduate from EMERGING to seek professional working opportunities. We feel that it is important to continue to guide choreographers through a multi modal process whenever possible in order to shepherd growth. Xavier was chosen to be an EMERGING choreographer for LIFT, Evari was chosen to be an EMERGING choreographer for CiCi Kelley’s Phases of Love, and to become an EMERGING artistic director, and Lauren Debrick went on to have her previous EMERGING piece filmed for a video, which is in the process of going viral on the web! Joining EMERGING for the first time will be Anthony Hart, Kristen Massenburg, Nateli Ruiz, Nikki Thompson, Mario Tyler, Anthony Rodgers, and Guest Choreographer Xavier Wilcher. New this year will be ChoreoLab. ChoreoLab is a composition course taught at GDA, and culminates with a matinee performance before EMERGING on Saturday December 7th at 3pm. The ChoreoLab performance is free, and will include a master class by a GDA instructor. ChoreoLab participants are Desiree Dixon, Chris Plunkett, Brandon Forrest, Mallory Hazen, Michael Anderson, Kate McMahon, Shervoski Couture, Keith Nedd, Quentin Sledge, and Toi Brown. All events will be held at the Drama Tech Theater at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center for the Arts. You can purchase your EMERGING wristband for $15.00 at the door, from a choreographer, or at Gotta Dance. Please visit www.Men.Dance.Life.com/EMERGING or www.Got2dance.net for additional information. 

THE ATLANTA DANCE COMMUNITY IS ON FIRE

The choreographers of "LIFT"

Project 7 - SHE "Promise"

Can we say what a weekend! The city of Atlanta was on fire with dance events all weekend long. From dance performances to master classes, the dance community was creating a buzz all over the city and of course ATL Dance Source had to be a part of the festivities.

On Saturday afternoon, we attended Daryl Foster's presentation of "LIFT" at The Woodruff Arts Center-Hertz Stage. The performance was absolutely phenomenal! 10 of Atlanta's hottest choreographers wowed the audience with their diverse conversations of spirituality and compelled untouched feelings through inspiring movements. Bravo to Darly Foster, Codie Wiggins, D-Ray Colson, Xavier Durman, Corian Ellisor, Bubba Carr, Monica "Mo" Noble, Stephan Reynolds, Gary Beauford and all the amazing dancers. The performance touched lives and introduced an on going movement of creative growth through spiritual expression. Bravo!

On Saturday evening, we headed over to Project 7's presentation of "SHE" at the Balzer Theater. And with no surprise, the show was outstanding! Full of athleticism and grace, "SHE" (Seek.Hope.Evolve) focused on women's progression in fields of dance and in life. Cherrise Wakeham, 11 members of Project 7, and Renee Locher took the audience on a thrill ride. Each piece took you on a chain of emotions as it explored life's ups and downs through the journey of success. Let's just say, the ride was absolutely riveting as the props and lighting created movie stills through out each piece. Bravo to the members of Project 7 and Renee Locher! Nevertheless, a huge bravo to Cherrise Wakeham for being a great leader in the Atlanta dance community and for inspiring women everywhere to keep chasing your dream through life's unscripted journey.

We were truly inspired this weekend! We look forward to the continued growth in the Atlanta dance community!