SHOW
PROGRAM
SHOW PROGRAM
Check back here on the day of performances for the show program!
Our events are free to the public.
Donate $10 and get a champagne toast!
Jamaica Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that our show today is on the native land of Munsee Lenape and Lekawe people, who continue to live and work on this land to this day.
SHOW PROGRAM
Sunday July 28, 2024
Performances in Rufus King Park, Jamaica
*Denotes Queens Premieres
IT’S LIKE THAT!*
“IT’S LIKE THAT” is a high-energy, excerpt performance of the full-length show titled “CHARGED” featuring music by Queen’s very own Run-DMC. “CHARGED” is an interactive Hip-hop experience creating a forum for open dialogue on topics affecting our youth and BIPOC communities like bullying, self-esteem, sexuality, racism, and social justice.
Company: IMMA KAT
Choreography by EXCEL “DATDANCINKAT” GARNER
Dancers: Alexandra Joseph, Robert Taylor Jr., Christina “CC” Cruz, Tayka Bois, Milerka Rodriguez, Nashiea Sapphire Latiera Allen, Nicole Delise, Paige “QueenTut” Stewart, Melissa DiNatale, LaNeese Chantal, Kim Rosario, Brianna McCollin, Jason Daniel Bams, Alexandra “A-Lexx” Bernard-Simmons, Cassandra Toussaint, Mackenzie Elliot
Music: “It’s Like That” by Run-DMC
IMMA KAT (Jamaica)
Excel Garner, Born and raised in Hollis Queens, is a world-renowned choreographer and teacher with over 27 years of experience working with the likes of Whitney Houston, Run-DMC, Ashanti, and more. With his company IMMA KAT, he hopes to continue bringing his unique hip-hop style from Queens to the world.
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Konark Kanti
Konark Kanti is a vibrant dance interspersed with expressiveness depicting aspects of Hindu mythology, showing rhythmic variations and sculpturesque poses carved on the walls of the ancient Sun Temple at Konark, India. It is poetic and has lyrical illustrations depicted through various traditional musical instruments like the Veena and Mardala.
Company: Monali NandyMazumdar
Choreography by Guru Aruna Mohanty, Guru Manoranjan Pradhan, Sri Bijaya Kumar Dash
Dancers: Monali NandyMazumdar, Pompi Mukherjee, Setu Patel, Kaustavi Sarkar
Music: “Konark Kanti” by Guru Sachikanta Nayak, Surmani Ramesh Chandra Das & Guru Sumanta Mohanty. Rhythm by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan & Guru Bijaya Kumar Barik
Monali NandyMazumdar (Sunnyside)
The original choreographers are Guru Aruna Mohanty, Guru Manoranjan Pradhan & Sri Bijaya Kumar Dash, based in India. Adapted for group presentation by Monali NandyMazumdar.
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Ublabadu*
“Ublabadu” is a playful song by FANIA legend Hector Lavoe. The choreography is meant to celebrate the joy of partner dancing among pairs of individuals dancing NY Style Salsa.
Company: Cucala Dance Company
Choreography by Andre Irving & Gabriela Nunez
Dancers: Andre Irving, Kalliopi Siamidou, Juan Chauta, Paul Gonzalez, Julia Handal, Duygu Iltuzer
Music: “Ublabadu” by Hector Lavoe
Cucala Dance Company (Jamaica)
Cucala Dance Company was formulated by four awesome people from a variety of backgrounds: Andre Irving(Jamaica), Kalliopi Siamidou(Greece), Gabriela Nunez(Puerto Rico), Paul Gonzalez(Ecuador/PuertoRico). Dance is unity, it brought us all together & we want to share that unity with you.
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Chacarera simple and Zamba*
Chacarera is a vivacious dance from the Northern part of Argentina full of energy and joy, while Zamba is a love story told between 2 people without the use of words, using only the handkerchiefs to express the feelings between the hopeful lovers.
Company: Silvana Brizuela Weigel
Choreography by Silvana Brizuela Weigel
Dancers: Oscar Magallanes and Silvana Brizuela Weigel
Music: “Chacarera del Monte” by Coco Gomez, “7 de Abril” by Nestor Garnica
Silvana Brizuela Weigel (Jackson Heights)
Born in Argentina, professionally trained in ballet at Teatro Colon, contemporary dancer trained at Teatro Municipal G. San Martin, Folk and Tango teacher with over 27 years of experience dancing and performing. Trained by Master teachers like Gabriel Misse, Lojo Vidal, Norberto Guichenduc, Mingo and Esther Pugliese among others.
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Let the Groove Get In*
The Kingdom Dance Company performs “Let the Groove Get in” which explores the introspective struggle against negativity and isolation. This dynamic piece delves into the weight of our internal thoughts and external influences, Told through the lens of Hip Hop to illustrate our journey towards liberation from mental burdens.
Company: The Kingdom Dance Company
Choreography by Paige “Queen TuT” Stewart
Dancers: Paige Queen TuT Stewart, Lauren Vaicels, Sherece Rose-Thomas, Amarfi Collado, Amaris Dwarkah, D’Andra, Madison Brown, Francesca Tavano
Music: “Something keeps pulling me back” by H.E.R., “Mr. Morale” by Kendrick Lamar, “Pressure” by Langston Bristol, “Let the Groove Get in” by Justin Timberlake
The Kingdom Dance Company (Rosedale)
The Kingdom Dance Company is a NYC artist collective created by Queen TuT whose credits include BET, MTV, Wyclef Jean, Ariana Grande, & more. Dance styles you recognize are Hip Hop, Tap, Dancehall, Afrobeat and Step. We hope to enlighten hearts and minds, presenting dance that heals all things!
Performances followed by a Danceback with Cucala Dance Company —
join us for a mini dance lesson!
Special thanks to our community partners Jamaica Center for Arts
& Learning and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center for today’s event
Corona Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that our show today is on the native land of Munsee Lenape and Lekawe people, who continue to live and work on this land to this day.
SHOW PROGRAM
Sunday July 28, 2024
Summer Celebrations Party in Corona Plaza, Corona
*Denotes Queens Premieres
5:00 PM Performances:
Guest performances with Urzua Dance Academy, featuring Amy Saori and Naomi Colocho
Established in 2013 with a mission to create a comprehensive program that empowers children and teens to discover the transformative power of the performing arts. Our goal is to foster personal and professional growth through experiential learning, creative expression, and skill-building in a nurturing and inclusive environment. By harnessing the magic of music, dance, and drama, we aim to inspire young minds to reach their full potential and develop a lifelong passion for the arts.
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Bulerias Blastoff*
Bulerias Blastoff imagines Flamenco aliens landing in a spaceship. The Aliens descend and give “the people,” represented as pod-like unformed dance beings, an insidious Flamenco bug! There is no cure and all of “the people” and Aliens wind up dancing Flamenco without cease! It’s a Flamenco Alien Invasion!
Company: Flamenco Latino
Choreography by Aurora Reyes
Dancers: Elena Barrantes, Julissa Cadenillas, Sophia Mintz, Natalia Starkova, Aurora Reyes
Music: “Bulerias Blastoff” composed by Basilio Georges
Flamenco Latino (Jackson Heights)
- REYES is a respected flamenco dancer, choreographer, and teacher in the Flamenco communities of Spain and New York. She is of Spanish descent, which inspired her inquiry into flamenco. Aurora’s collaboration with composer Basilio Georges produced Flamenco Latino, a NY-based Flamenco dance company, fusing Flamenco and Afro-Caribbean traditions.
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Haleakalā Hula; Lāʻieikawai ; Pūpū A O ʻEwa (Shells of `Ewa)
Nā Pua Mai Ka Lani Nūioka presents three pieces highlighting the iconic style of our late Kumu Kale Pawai. These pieces highlight three main creation types: ‘uli’uli (rattle gourd implement), wahine (women’s line), and kāne (men’s line). This selection highlights Kumu Kale’s love of continuous motion, flare, and dynamic emotions.
Company: Nā Pua Mai Ka Lani Nūioka
Choreography by The Late Kumu Kale Pawai
Dancers: Akemi Akaiwa, Jeanna Alvarez, Christopher Chung, Arlise Ellis, Monica Ng, Doris Rodriguez, Gabriela Ruiz, Maria M. Ycasiano, Monica Ng
Music: “Haleakalā Hula” by Leokane Pryor, “Lāʻieikawai” by Hoku Zuttermeister, “Pūpū A O ʻEwa (Shells of `Ewa)” by Keali’i Reichel
Nā Pua Mai Ka Lani Nūioka (Astoria)
Nā Pua Mai Ka Lani Nūioka strives to perpetuate the practice of Hula, Hawaiian culture, and Aloha in NYC. We continue this sharing in memory of our late kumu, Kumu Kale Pawai. Unique to Hawai’i, hula brings together music, spoken-word, and movement to share the stories and history of Hawai’i.
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Excerpts de Monterrey*
These excerpts come from the State of Monterrey, Mexico. The songs are titled Monterrey de Mis Amores and El Naranjo.
Company: Manhatitlan
Choreography by Karla Perez
Dancers: Monseratte Velasquez, Ulisses Velasquez, Jazmin Paola Pérez, Karla Andrea Pérez, Felix Octavio Pérez
Music: “Monterrey De Mis Amores” by Las Canciones De Mi Estado Nuevo León, “El Naranjo” by Hermanos Banda De Salamanca
Manhatitlan (Long Island City)
Manhatitlan has been serving its local community for over a decade as a grassroots effort. Seeing a need for dance representation during traditional Mexican celebrations, a group of children, youth and parents with no formal dance experience, came together to begin a self learning process of dancing Mexican Folklore.
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Ehsaas – Emotion in Motion*
This Kathak Tarana dance in Raga Shyam Kalyan and teentaal, 16-beat time cycle, unfolds with serene grace, escalating in complexity through rhythmic footwork, emotive gestures and rapid spins, symbolizing the heightened emotion and energy of the piece. The dancers engage in dynamic exchanges, showcasing their virtuosity and mastery of rhythm.
Company: Neela Dance Academy
Choreography by Neela Zareen
Dancers: Neela Zareen, Nivedita Joshi Deshpande, Saranya Devi Sathis Kumar
Music: “Sham Kalyan Tarana” by Guru Prerana Deshpande
Neela Dance Academy (Jackson Heights)
Neela Zareen is an Indian classical dancer based in New York City and has trained in two styles: Kuchipudi with Guru Sadhana Paranji and Kathak with Guru Prerana Deshpande. “Neela Dance Academy” is dedicated to promoting Kathak and Kuchipudi dances and is located in Jackson Heights, Queens.
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Summer Suite 6: Halo-Halo*
“Summer Suite 6: Halo-Halo” (“Mix Mix” in Tagalog), a dance world premiere showcasing street jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop movement by Filipinx-American director/choreographer, Marc Nuñez. “Halo-Halo,” will both dissect and fuse together multiple identities within the Filipinx-American diaspora including Indigenous Filipinx, Southeast Asian, and the colonization by both the Spanish and the Americans. “Halo-Halo” will also include movements inspired by Filipinx folk, Latin styles, and other street styles in collaboration with Emily Hart Lopez and David Cartahena Lee and will feature music by Filipinx Artists like Bruno Mars, H.E.R, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Company: Gotham Dance Theater
Choreography by Marc Nuñez, Emily Hart Lopez, David Cartahena Lee and Stephanie Shin (Dance Captain)
Dancers: Amanda Suzanne Lowe, Annika Wong, Celinna Haber, David Cartahena Lee, Emily Hart Lopez, Marc Nuñez, Nadia Khayrallah, Sarina Gonzalez, Stephanie Shin
Music: “Lover/Friend” by KAYTRANADA (instrumental)
Gotham Dance Theater (Woodside)
Marc Nuñez is Filipinx-American founder/director of Gotham Dance Theater (GDT). GDT Grants/Awards: NYFA Queens Arts Fund (2023), Queens Council on the Arts Grantee (2021-22), Queensboro Dance Festival (2015-2022), City Artist Corps Grantee (2021), Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (2022 Official Selection), Boundless in Brooklyn 48-Hour Film Contest Winner (2017).
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Caporales San Simon Sucre New York*
The Caporales is a traditional Bolivian Dance that originated in La Paz, Bolivia by the Estrada Brothers. The main purpose of our dance group is for others to learn about Bolivia but most importantly Caporales. We represent the city of Sucre, Bolivia with the dance of Caporales.
Company: San Simon Sucre New York
Choreography by Dayanna Miranda
Dancers: Dayanna Miranda, Omar Alonzo, Litsie Monier, Ketssy Infante, Carmella Pineyro, Nayele Loja, Jose Israel Ponce, Brayan, Miguel Barrera, Jorge ChasipantaAllauca, Jorge
Music: Traditional San Simon Sucre music
San Simon Sucre New York (Forest Hills)
San Simon Sucre is a non-profit organization that aims to spread Bolivian culture and folklore through the dance of Caporales. We were founded in the year 2000 and have members from Bolivia and all over the world. We pride ourselves in being open to anyone who loves dancing.
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6:00 PM Street Jazz dance lesson with Gotham Dance Theater
6:15-7:00 PM Open Dance Party with La Cumbiamba eNeYé:
La Cumbiamba eNeYé, established in 2000 brings its new music conceived, and performed, for the traditional instruments format known as; Gaitas y Tambores. The powerfully rhythmic and melodic Afro-Indigenous-Colombian music of La Cumbiamba recreates the traditional open-air Cumbia gatherings known as cumbiambas, the ensemble’s namesake. With traditional instruments such as the indigenous Gaita flutes and the Afro-Colombian drums the group, led by multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator Martin Vejarano, has established itself as one of the finest Cumbia ensembles in the US.
Today’s Event presented in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian
Special thanks also to QEDC, Street Vendors Project, and Louis Armstrong House Museum
Thank you for coming!
Our goal is 100 people, $10 at a time: bit.ly/supportqueensdance
The Queensboro Dance Festival (QDF) was launched in 2014 with the mission to strengthen the dance community in Queens, and inspire a greater appreciation for Queens dance. Presenting Queens-based dance companies of diverse cultures and styles, QDF tours free performances, parties, and classes every summer throughout Queens public spaces. QDF provides free career resources for Queens dancers, and brings local dance programming into Queens neighborhoods.
QDF 2024 Crew
Founding Executive Director: Karesia Batan
Stage Managers: Jenna Arkontaky, Leah Dustin, Cece Gutierrez, Natalie Morrow-Newman
Sound Engineers & Stage Crew: Daniel Figueroa, Oscar Jordan, David Velazquez
Videographers: Michela Monte, Alex Ortiz
Content Manager: Leah Dustin
Additional Stage Crew: Giuseppe De Caro
Marketing Manager: Nadia Conway