press

KDH Dance Company Presents Mountains, Ships and Lives

Five Premieres, a Suite of Solos, Three Guest Choreographers, a Paper Installation, and Commissioned Music

WHO:          KDH Dance Company
WHAT:        An evening of original contemporary dances
WHERE:     AustinVentures Studio Theater, 501 W. 3 rd Street
WHEN:       June 12-14, 2008, 8:00pm
TICKETS:   $12-$15, www.kdhdance.com
INFO:          www.kdhdance.com, 512.934.1082

AUSTIN, TEXAS - KDH Dance Company presents "Mountains, Ships and Lives," an evening of original contemporary dance works, Thursday through Saturday, June 12-14, at AustinVentures Studio Theater.

Themes of impermanence and fragility permeate Kathy Dunn Hamrick's haunting new work, "Mountains, Ships and Lives." A large, white installation by visual artist Renee Nunez allows the dancers to move through, and interact with, delicate paper feathers and streamers. Says Hamrick, "The integrity of even the strongest structures can be vulnerable to the smallest of fractures. Renee's 'birdcages' are like micro-observatories. From within, the dancers can hide, witness, deny and reveal these tiny, yet life-altering fractures." Music from The Microphones' Mt. Eerie sets the tone for this dark new work.

While "Mountains, Ships and Lives" is an unusually somber piece for Hamrick, at the opposite end of the spectrum is "YES!" Based on the James Joyce quote, "Yes I said yes I will yes," this exuberant dance exemplifies Hamrick's luscious phrasing, athleticism and humor as the dancers say yes to every temptation. Tim Kerr, an Austin-based composer, musician and independent record producer, has created the original score for "YES!"

In addition to the two group works is a Suite of Three Solos. "Bridgeboard" is a solo choreographed by guest choreographer Cheryl Chaddick (formerly of San Francisco) for Kate Warren, who returns to the stage after a two-year absence. Ms. Warren premieres her solo, "What's Love Got to Do with It" performed by Shari Brown. And Lisa Nicks, who has been recognized by critics and audience members alike for her onstage charisma, quirky humor, athleticism, and audience interaction, premieres "The Spirit in Which it is Given," a solo choreographed and performed by Ms. Nicks.

past press

KDH Dance Company Presents:
The BarreTenders: Where Every Pun is Intended

WHERE: Café Dance, 3307-B Hancock Drive, Austin, TX
WHEN: February 9-10, 16-17, 23, 2008
TICKETS: $10 / 512.934.1082 or www.kdhdance.com

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Austin's own KDH Dance Company presents "The BarreTenders: Where Every Pun is Intended," at Café Dance. This engaging contemporary dance company delights audiences with work that is musical, thoughtfully composed, adroitly executed and often funny, and "The BarreTenders" is no exception.

After the success of last year's acclaimed "FlashDance: 30 Dances in 60 Minutes," Executive Artistic Director and Choreographer Kathy Dunn Hamrick follows up with the premiere of "The BarreTenders," another hour-long work designed expressly for Café Dance's studio theatre. Using the barres, poles, windows, walls, floors and doorways, Hamrick creates environments inhabited by barnacles, barbies, bar backs and more.

Noted for her combined wit, expression and athleticism, Hamrick has been making dances in Austin for 14 years. Her company, now in its 9 th year, opened the season with performances in Corpus Christi, followed by the Austin premiere of "Well Suited," a suite of costume-inspired dances. "The BarreTenders," with its shifting imagery, underlying meanings and inventive use of the space and the body involves the audience in a close-up dance experience that is both visually and intellectually imaginative.

"The BarreTenders" runs throughout February, 2008 at Café Dance. Performances are 5:00pm and 7:30pm on Saturdays and 1:30pm on Sundays. General admission tickets are $10 and available by calling 512-934.1082 or by visiting www.kdhdance.com.

KDH Dance Company to Present “And Then There Were Twelve”
NEW DANCERS IN NEW DANCES
Who: Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company
What: “And Then There Were Twelve,” a summer concert of original modern dances
When: Saturday, July 8th at 8pm and Sunday, July 9th at 5pm
Where: State Theater, 719 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX
Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors, gettix.net or the State Theater/Paramount Box Office
Information: www.kdhdance.com or 512.934.1082

AUSTIN – KDH Dance Company offers three premieres this summer in “And Then There Were Twelve.” Half the company members pass their time passing each other and getting passed in Kathy Dunn Hamrick’s new work “Half Passing.” Lisa Nicks questions self-sufficiency, the super human and the supernatural in her new dance, “Recognizing the Angel on My Shoulder.” And David Steaman premieres a dance film called “The Five Challenges.” Also on the program is “I’m Coming Back for My Wings,” Carolyn Pavlik’s poignant trio of struggle and re-birth.
Over the past year, this high energy modern dance company has doubled in size. With so many new dancers on the roster, it’s Kate Warren’s job to prepare them both technically and aesthetically for their debut performances July 8-9 at the State Theater. Warren figures prominently in Austin’s modern dance community, having spent the past 28 years performing, teaching, directing, choreographing and mentoring.

In her role as the company’s Associate Artistic Director, Warren helps the dancers meet the specific needs of each choreographer. “It’s about helping each dancer develop his or her artistry while fulfilling the choreographer’s intent,” says Warren. In Hamrick’s work, the movement flows organically and seamlessly through the body and through space. Dynamic and rhythmic changes intensify the kinesthetic experience for both dancer and audience member.
“ I love a good stage,” says company member and Guest Choreographer Lisa Nicks. And the State Theater provides the perfect setting for Nicks’ bold, expansive movement and intricate stage design. Her new work requires physical strength, an attention to detail, presence, and the ability to constantly adjust to ever-changing fluctuations in time, space and energy.

For Guest Choreographer Pavlik, the emphasis is on style. At first tethered by tulle, the dancers flutter and lean impossibly. Once they are released and free to move about the space, Pavlik’s loose-jointed, skeletal movement style is apparent.

Dancer Cherami Steadman is currently on maternity leave, but she has teamed up with visual artist and husband David Steadman to make a dance film called “The Five Challenges.” Now in her fourth season with the company, Cherami Steaman credits Kate Warren for helping her become the dancer she is today. “Kate recognizes the potential in all of her students and guides them to the next level in their dancing.”KDH Dance Company produces an evolving repertory of original modern dances for the general public and engages in community outreach and education programs. In addition to performing, KDH Dance Company directs “New Art Kinnections,” a multi-arts enrichment program for high-risk children and teens.

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A Glimmer of Hope Foundation Awards Austin Dance Company $15,000

What do you get when you partner A Glimmer of Hope with Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company?

- A group of animated teens attending their first live dance performance at an Austin theatre

- High school students exploring the creative process on Friday nights in a local dance studio

- Second-graders moving bravely through space in creative movement classes

- Student-directed exhibits and culminating performances throughout the year

- Opportunities to see the world in a new way and experience the power of creative thinking to transform lives

In addition to performing original modern dance works, Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company directs several outreach programs in the Austin community. One of these, "New Art Kinnections," has recently been recognized by A Glimmer of Hope with a $15,000 grant.

"New Art Kinnections" reflects the company's vision of sharing its improvisational and collaborative creative process with youth in order to effect profound changes in their thoughts, attitudes and actions. Students participate in creativity classes and workshops, attend performances throughout Austin, and produce culminating exhibits and performances.

A Glimmer of Hope supports innovative grassroots programs that empower at-risk youth in the Austin Community. It has funded 42 projects around the city in the past two years and has had a direct impact on the lives of more than 20,000 young people.

Together, A Glimmer of Hope and Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company will provide adult guidance, peer mentoring, and in-depth enrichment opportunities for 150 children and teens residing in East and South Austin.

"We're excited about creating space in life where youth can be creative and feel connected. We're not creating a project, but building memories," says the dance company's Outreach Director Barbara Jo Stetzelberger, LCSW, DTR.

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Press Release: KDHDC Featured in Article
The Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company has a feature article in the latest Langdon Review of the Arts in Texas, published annually by Tarleton State University. Written by former Austinite Neil Ellis Orts, the article profiles the dancers in the company as well as its history and creative process.

The Langdon Review of the Arts in Texas was founded in 2004 by editors Donna Walker-Nixon and Marilyn Robitaille. Information on the journal may be had at www.tarleton.edu/~langdonreview or by emailing langdon@tarleton.edu.