Schedule: Theater/Dance Stage from Central Square Theater, The Dance Complex and Jean Appolon Expressions
11 - 11:30 a.m. - Soul Dance with Allison Talis
A guided improvisational movement practice that engages somatic awareness to facilitate personal growth, emotional well-being, and collective healing. Release, Unleash, Connect.
12 - 1:20 p.m. - Your Town: A Love Story to Cambridge Featuring Dance, Theater and Music!
Created by Central Square Theater in partnership with The Dance Complex, Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of
Motion and Jean Appolon Expressions
Your Town is a multi-year project that weaves together over 30 theater artists, dancers, musicians, composers, designers, singers and community members to create and perform an original play based on the lives of the people of Cambridge.
Hyper-local at its heart, the script of Your Town was conceived from interviews with Cambridge residents and people who work or visit the city. A day-long event was dedicated to reaching into the community through free dance lessons, interviews, food and participatory art. Held at Starlight last summer, this event was the launching point for the next 8 months of writing and devising.
With an homage to Thornton Wilder’s quintessential play, Our Town, Central Square Theater’s Your Town explores a day in the life of regular people making their way through the city. A love story to Cambridge, Our Town showcases the hopes and dreams of our diverse and vibrant home.
1:30 - 1:55 p.m. - RootsUprising
"Witness Trees" is inspired by the historic gardens and former plantation of Middleton Place, in Charleston, South Carolina, as a backdrop to a thematic narrative of landscapes, rememory, and healing. The work explores the symbiotic relationship between nature and the enslaved African laborers who lived and worked there, and who dared to listen to the hidden and meaningful stories housed in the roots of the trees and the dirt of the earth.
1:55 - 2:30 p.m. - ‘Froca Fitness with Sylver Rochelin
‘Froca is a celebration of songs and dances from across Africa and the Caribbean. Set to the latest popular African and Caribbean music, ‘Froca draws on movements and dances rooted in deep tradition as well as steps that have gained popularity in recent years. Through nonstop dance and choreography, 'Froca allows everyone to internalize the steps, feel the rhythms, and work up a sweat – celebrating each other’s cultures. ‘Froca classes include steps and rhythms from Madagascar, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Guinea, Ghana, Togo, Senegal, Trinidad, Jamaica and more.
2:30 - 3:05 p.m. - House Dance with Sean Bjerke
House is a freestyle dance whose sound was born in Chicago. The dance was born in New York nightclubs. Come learn some of the steps and fundamentals of house dance, and listen to amazing club music in the process! No experience necessary!
3:30 - 4:50 p.m. - Your Town
(See description for 12 noon performance above.)
5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Music & Dance Circle
If you are a mover, come join us as we wind down the day at the Theater/Dance Stage. We'll have a few surprises in store, but there is sure to be some fun music to dance to provided by Dance Complex musicians. RiverFest will melt into a YouFest as you dance the hour away!