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Dance
Philadelphia has been on the map as a dance hub since the 1930s, when it was the main stop on the vaudeville circuit and the home of one of America’s first ballet companies (founded by Katherine Littlefield). Nowadays the city has a strong showing in almost every dance genre, with fresh forms brought in by recent influxes of newcomers from Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.
Dance is presented in venues that are shared with music and theater, including the Perelman Theater in the brand-new Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Wilma Theater, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater, all centrally located on the Avenue of the Arts. Other major venues include the Zellerbach Theater on the University of Pennsylvania campus, the Painted Bride Art Center in Old City, and the Community Education Center in West Philadelphia. Experimental works have been presented in many other venues: churches, art galleries, and other spaces such as parks, restaurants, garages, and city streets. This city is home to two modern dance companies that in recent years celebrated their 30th anniversary and are still going strong. The Philadelphia Dance Company (fondly nicknamed Philadanco, or simply “Danco”), led by Joan Myers Brown, is Philadelphia’s answer to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and delights audiences around the world with a repertory of works by leading modern dance choreographers. The Group Motion Company, a collective facilitated by director Manfred Fischbeck, presents collaborative creations choreographed by its members and international guests.
Established in 1963 in the tradition of ballet maestro George Balanchine, the Pennsylvania Ballet graces the city with regular seasons of modern works and classics from September through June, highlighted by Balanchine’s world-famous version of The Nutcracker for the Christmas season.
The Koresh Dance Company has staying power, carving a niche for itself as a leading jazz ensemble on the cutting edge of the techno tip. Native son Rennie Harris and his group, titled Puremovement, perform their “concertized” hip hop choreographies on stages at home and abroad, with rousing support from a widespread, loyal fan base.
New modern dance groups include the Headlong Dance Theater, Leah Stein Dance Company, Jeanne Ruddy Dancers, At Marah Dance Theater, Paule Turner’s Court, Moxie, Genghis Dance Company, and the Bald Mermaids. Tap Team Two, a rhythm tap ensemble, and Phrenic New Ballet are other recent companies making their mark as artists to watch. The city is bursting with dance activity and is gaining a reputation as a dancer-friendly environment.
Dubbed “The City of Neighborhoods,” Philly’s diverse communities offer a cornucopia of performances by locally based groups such as the Kulu Mele African American Dance Ensemble, Flamenco Olé, Brandywine Ballet Company, Dancefusion, the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, and the Ione Nash Dance Ensemble.
Besides dance companies, there are outstanding individuals who work as freelancers. LaVaughn Robinson, tap dance legend, is one whose life in dance as a performer and master teacher has helped shape many young artists.
There are additional companies and venues and several festivals, including the Odunde and Philly Dance Africa festivals, the Fringe Festival (which sponsors many events devoted to dance), and the Next Wave Festival, Philly’s answer to Brooklyn’s New Wave Festival. To keep abreast of this flurry, visit the Dance Advance website, www.danceadvance.org, and the Philadelphia Dance Alliance, www.philadancealliance.org
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