Greetings dance enthusiasts… Let it be known that we’re amidst the 19th Annual Bay Area Dance Week initiative from April 21-30, 2017. The founding organization of the annual event is Dancers’ Group – a thriving San Francisco based non-profit established in 1998. Much like the grassroots movement that formed National Dance Week in 1981, Dancers’ Group serves as a vital resource for the Bay Area dance community — helping to facilitate collaborative and innovative programs and services to maximize visibility efforts.
For the remainder of the week, Bay Area Dance Week event highlights happening now through April 30th include the following:
Bay Area Dance Week FREE DANCE EVENTS now through April 30
Smuin Contemporary American Ballet – Thursday April 27, 11am
Come see Smuin dancers up close in an open studio rehearsal in honor of Bay Area Dance Week! Observe our 16 dancers during a typical day in the studio, working in conjunction with our ballet master and various choreographers to perfect the Company’s new works for the stage. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at our upcoming program Dance Series 02; featuring a world premiere by acclaimed choreographer Trey McIntyre, the return of choreographer-in-residence Amy Seiwert’s “Broken Open,” and a world premiere from one of Smuin’s very own dancers, Nicole Haskins. LOCATION: Academy of Ballet, 2121 Market St., San Francisco, CA, 94114
DZine And Amy Seiwert’s Imagery – Friday April 28 6pm San Francisco
Amy Seiwert’s Imagery performs at DZine in conjunction with the launch of the gallery’s show “Pure: Burning Bright.” Gallery opening from 6-9, exact dance performance times TBA. LOCATION: DZine, 128 Utah St, San Francisco, CA, 94103
AXIS Dance Company Friday April 28, 11:30am Oakland
Join AXIS Dance Company as they prepare to celebrate 30 years of innovation under the new artistic direction of Marc Brew. All abilities welcome for this company class geared towards experienced adult dancers. Following our 1.5 hr company class, we invite participants and dancers of all ages and skill levels to attend a sneak peek of Amy Seiwert’s work The Reflective Surface that will be premiered in October 2017. Participants are welcome to either or both the class (11:30am-1pm) and open rehearsal (1pm-2pm). LOCATION: Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street, Suite 200, Studio E, third floor, Oakland, CA, 94612
San Francisco Public Library and the San Francisco Dance Film Festival – Saturday April 29, 2:30pm
In honor of Bay Area National Dance Week (April 21 – April 30) San Francisco Public Library in partnership with the San Francisco Dance Film Festival and the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library are pleased to screen selections from the San Francisco Dance Film Festival’s October 2016 Fall Festival. Schedule: 2:30pm: 2016 SFDFF Shorts Highlights 3:30: feature documentary”Kick, Ball Change” Kick, Ball Change – A glimpse into the creative, crazy, and inspiring mind of Maxim Kozhevnikov, five-time professional world champion in Latin ballroom dance. For more information about the feature documentary – visit: http://www.sfdancefilmfest.org/2016-schedule/kick-ball-change/ Visit: http://www.sfdancefilmfest.org. LOCATION: San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco , CA, 94122
San Francisco Ballet – Saturday April 29, 11:45am
Want to see the artists of SF Ballet up close and in action? Go behind the scenes with San Francisco Ballet, the oldest professional ballet company in America. Observe the dancers of SF Ballet in action in a Company class, led by one of the Company’s Ballet Masters, on stage at the War Memorial Opera House. Guests will enjoy open seating in the Opera House auditorium. LOCATION: War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave,
San Francisco, CA, 94102
Alonzo King LINES Dance Center – Saturday April 29, 9am
If you’re new to the Dance Center or you haven’t taken class with us for more than a year, come take any of our open classes FREE of charge. The number of free slots are limited so come early. LOCATION: Alonzo King LINES Dance Center, 26 7th Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94103
Mary Sano Studio Of Duncan Dancing Saturday April 29, 12pm
Deborah Slater Dance Theater Saturday April 29, 11am
Dance & Theater Workshop open to artists & creatives of all disciplines. Experiment using writing, moving & vocalization to create new material, gain specific, repeatable tasks to take home and use in your own creative process. How do you locate source material, transform it into your art form & translate it for an audience? Dive deep into your creative process and end up somewhere unexpected! LOCATION: 3435 Cesar Chavez, Studio 210, San Francisco, CA, 94110
Margaret Jenkins Dance Company (MJDC)/Resist: a Conversation with Artists about Activism – Sunday April 30, 5:30pm
Margaret Jenkins will facilitate a conversation between Choreographer and Activist Larry Arrington, Performance Artist Dohee Lee, Dancer, Writer, and Equity Analyst Tammy Johnson and Afro Futurist Conjure Artist Amara Tabor-Smith. The discussion will center on the intersection of their work and social justice. Whether you are defiant in the way you make work or the way you make waves, all forms of resistance are needed. Join the discussion around activism and artmaking and leave the evening with new tools to utilize in both performance and protest. LOCATION: Margaret Jenkins Dance Lab, 301 8th Street, 2nd Floor, Studio 200, San Francisco, CA, 94103
The MiNAPRESS Column 
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