Parsons Dance June 2, 2010

Parsons Dance presents two short evenings as part of the company’s 10th annual Summer Intensive Workshop for professional and pre-professional dancers. The performances are produced in collaboration with the company’s education partners, Marymount Manhattan College and Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, and will feature performances of the acclaimed works: "Wolfgang" (2005), "Hand Dance" (2003), "Caught" (1981), "Swing Shift" (2003) and "Ebben", an excerpt from the dance/rock opera "Remember Me" (2009). Performances will take place on Wednesday, June 2 and Thursday, June 3 at 7pm at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, 248 W. 60th Street between Amsterdam and West End Avenues, a brand new intimate theater space in New York City. Tickets are $25 ($18 for students), and will be available for purchase at the door (cash only) or online at www.manhattanmovement.com/event/parsons-dance.

Wolfgang (2005) juxtaposes the classical music of Mozart with the modern choreography of David Parsons. The three couples in Wolfgang create beautiful pictures throughout this piece, evincing their accomplished partnering skills. Various qualities subtly characterize each section of the piece. Ebben is an excerpt from Remember Me, the dance/rock opera collaboration with East Village Opera Company. Hand Dance (2003), a playful work set to the vibrant music of Kenji Bunch, features ten “hands” that decide to take on a life of their own. Caught (1981) is an internationally renowned stroboscopic dance masterpiece that features a solo dancer performing more than 100 leaps in less than six minutes. Each leap is “caught” by the flash of a strobe light, to create a breathtaking illusion of flight. Caught has been performed thousands of times, worldwide, for more than 27 years. Swing Shift (2003) explores the human journey toward self-discovery through social interaction, as dancers “swing” and “shift” in order to couple, uncouple and couple again with another.

This year’s Summer Intensive Workshop, held from May 24 – June 5, 2010, will give participants the unique opportunity to study with Artistic Director David Parsons and members of Parsons Dance in the heart of the modern dance capital, New York City.

David Parsons’ Master Choreography Workshop will take place from June 7 – 12, 2010. Dancers will have the opportunity to be part of the development process for David Parsons’ next choreographic work. This is the first time that the workshop has been offered.

For more information about either program, call 212-869-9395 or visit www.parsonsdance.org.