Mixing Things Up This Summer

March 20, 2012

If you’ve ever taken a look at Dance Magazine‘s Summer Study Guide, you know that there are hundreds of ways to spend your summer dancing, from festivals like Bates and Jacob’s Pillow, to ballet intensives run by major companies like ABT and Houston Ballet, to smaller programs where you can still get excellent training. Here are two of the more out-of-the-ordinary summer opportunities we’ve come across:

 

We haven’t actually been there, but we think we may have found the ultimate combination of summer dance intensive and summer vacation: the New Waves! Institute in Trinidad & Tobago. The main draw of this two-week program is actually not the tropical location (though that’s a big one) but the stellar faculty, which includes Rennie Harris, Ananya Chatterjea, Shani Collins, Chris Walker, and many others. From July 18 to August 1, they’ll offer classes and workshops in contemporary dance, Caribbean dance, hip hop, composition, and repertoire at the University of Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain. Apply soon: the deadline is April 2.

 

If you want to exercise your mind as much as your body, another great opportunity comes by way of Urban Bush Women. Their 2012 Summer Leadership Institute in New Orleans integrates performance-making and social activism, with the added expertise of this year’s guest choreographer and community-builder, Liz Lerman. This 10-day experience, July 20-29, isn’t so much about polishing your technique or learning repertoire as using your knowledge as a mover to think about—and change—the world around you. Anyone over 18, at any level, is weclome to apply. Applications are due by this Friday, March 23. —Siobhan Burke

 

Photo: Shani Collins. By Matt Karas.