Media Invite - DANCE This

DANCE This brings together local teen dancers from diverse communities through the art of dance. Mentored by professional choreographers, these young artists will perform cultural and contemporary dance from around the world including, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. In a special retrospective performance, this year's DANCE This will integrate video and images into the live performances, paying tribute to the last 10 years of the program.

A retrospective of global proportions, the 10th annual DANCE This features over 140 young dancers performing a world tour of diverse dance styles including:

- Traditional African dances directed by Zimbabwean choreographer, Lora Chiorah, with special guests artist Etienne Cakpo.
- Asian cultural dances from India, China, the Philippines, Korea and Cambodia, directed by Seattle choreographer Amy O'Neal.
- A showcase of European folk dances from Bulgaria, Ireland and Croatia, directed by Chicago based Bulgarian choreographer, Petur Iliev.
- A tap/Afro-Peruvian collaboration in partnership with The African ConeXion Project, directed by Peruvian choreographer, Luis Sandoval.
- A special DANCE This Company Tribute, featuring contemporary choreography by Daniel Cruz, Chris Daigre, Sonia Dawkins and Jamel Gaines.

The 2008 DANCE This dance groups include: Cruz Control, Ethnic Dance Theatre, Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team, Kalalaya School for the Performing Arts, Leela Kathak, Morning Star Korean Cultural Center, Northwest Tap Connection, Radost Folk Ensemble, Rainier Vista Cambodian Youth Program, Seattle Chinese Girls Drill Team, Slieveloughane Dance Company, Sukutai Music and Dance Ensemble and Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble.

The 10th annual DANCE This is produced and presented by STG's Education and Community Programs department. This vital community program fosters cross-cultural and collaborative approaches to movement and provides young local dancers the opportunity of mentorship with professional choreographers, intensive dance training and culminates in live stage performances for youth and family audiences at The Paramount Theatre.

The DANCE This training and performance program receives support from the Glenn H. Kawasaki Foundation, Hunt Club, NoStankYou.com, BECU, Hotel Max and Capezio®, NEA, 4Culture.

Partnerships: Appearance by guest choreographer and artists from Lima, Peru is made possible through a partnership with AFrican ConeXions Project. The featured project is the latest installment of the AFrican ConeXion Project, aiming to bring together Latino and African American communities through dance, music and theatre by celebrating African heritage. The dance component will be one aspect of the larger culminating dance, music and theatre that will be presented at Rainier Valley Cultural Center July 24-26, 31 and August 1-2.

Time:
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Show Begins: 7:30 PM
Time: NOON

Date: Tuesday, July 15

Location: Amanda Bedell,