Ballet Blog

AWARD-WINNING, INTERNATIONAL DANCE ARTISTS INVITES PUBLIC TO CELEBRATE THE HEART'S HOLIDAY.

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:22:09 -0500

Lambertville, NJ, February 3, 4, 10, 11 & 12: In celebration of the Valentine spirit, the esteemed Roxey Ballet Company who maintains a roster of commissioned, international & award-winning dance artists invites the public to their unique "Romance & Dance" concert. This production offers romance-seekers and sweethearts alike of all ages a world- class, romantically themed evening filled with culture, making the most beautiful addition to anyone's Valentine plans.
Within the intimate setting of Canal Theater Studios, the Romance & Dance concert performances will capture viewers by awakening the senses through a colorful blend of contemporary dance, classical ballet and neo-classical ballet.
The Romance & Dance concert offers playful and passionate performances designed by award-winning choreographer and international performer, Randy James. James is known as an emotionally evocative choreographer, receiving commissions from dance companies, colleges and universities, while accepting esteemed awards such as the New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education. In addition to being a commissioned guest choreographer at the Roxey Ballet Company, James also serves as an Associate Professor at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. Mark Roxey, Artistic Director states "having Randy James as a guest choreographer is a perfect addition to the Roxey Ballet Company, commissioning artists like James further enhances our established, eclectic dance pieces that we perform throughout the state and throughout the year, offering audiences the most cutting-edge dance entertainment".
While the Roxey Ballet Company reintroduces this romantic dance concert series, each year guests can also expect newly choreographed pieces. For example, Roxey while keeping romance in mind has titled the latest musical dance theatre piece, "Remote Control", which highlights the typical flavor of who controls the remote in our domestic relationships. Remote Control has a fun, contemporary twist where any viewer will certainly enjoy relating.
Guests of Roxey Ballet's Romance and Dance series are guaranteed a unique and memorable experience for their Valentine holiday. To
read more about the performing artists go to the dancer page.
A little about our featured choreographer
Choreographer Randy James is building an international reputation as an exceptionally gifted master teacher and an emotionally evocative choreographer, receiving commissions from dance companies, colleges and universities. The New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State honored him with a Choreographic Fellowship Award in 2004 and 1994 for recognition of his artistic excellence. Mr. James received the New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education and was named Distinguished Teaching Artist in 2002. He has been a guest artist at various institutions including the American Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow, London Contemporary Dance theater and School, VII Annual International Contemporary Dance Conference and Performance Festival in Poland, Tage des Tanzas in Germany and Austria, Fine Five School in Estonia, Via Danse in Latvia, among others. Randy was born and raised in New Jersey and currently lives in Highland Park. He began his training at Rutgers University as a dance and theater major. His performance background includes summer stock, dinner theater, regional ballet companies and nightclub revues. He has also performed with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet at Lincoln Center in Aida and was principal dancer with Dan Wagoner & Dancers for eight years. James received his Bachelor of Arts from Empire State College and currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Dance Department at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.

Blog reader offer:
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Beer and Ballet a perfect pair!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:16:22 -0500

A Painting in Motion made for the perfect date night!

I always have an amazing night out with my “love interest” John in either Lambertville or New Hope, but this time together was not only amazing but so different, and somehow I feel closer to John after our experience at the Roxey Ballet Company’s Beer and Ballet event night.

I love and crave the arts, seeking it out in any form I can, I find exposing myself to creativity and the arts is my form of refuge.
When I discovered the “Beer and Ballet” event, I didn’t quite know if John would consider going, so how was I to persuade him to try ballet with me…well, for once, I attempted to think like a man, I said “they’ll have beer from Riverhorse Brewery & beautiful dancers there”, immediately after my selling points, he said “sure” without a drop of hesitation, naturally I was thrilled, instantly muttering to myself “that was easy”!

As we sat, sipped and observed the Roxey Ballet Company’s gifted and passionate dancers rehearse in their raw form in the studio, we had the chance not only to meet new, local faces but also engage in discussion with the choreographer, who I personally found enlightening. My attention was immediately captured, as the choreographer softly described his vision of the routine in front of us as a “painting in motion” and explaining the inspiration behind every designed step he taught his dancers. I title this evening as a “painting in motion made for the perfect date night” because for the first time this is how we saw dance, an amazing analogy, shared with John and I studio-side. This time spent at Beer and Ballet is where we had an “ah-ha” moment together, stimulating a new way of thinking for us, all the while discovering an interesting way to spend our special moments together.

As the event came to an end, we walked through the snowy streets of Lambertville, sharing our thoughts on our new experience then proceeded to one of our favorite local restaurants, Anton at the Swan - the last brush stroke on our masterpiece of a memory together – thank you Roxey for an incredible and unique night we will always remember.

“JLS Featuring Kwikstep

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:21:54 -0400

Roxey Ballet made its West Chester University debut on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theater in the Swope Music Building. Our 10-member ensemble brought 3 world premieres to the university. The first work on the program was entitled “Somewhere in America” was created by Newark, New Jersey based choreographer Ronnie Carney. The second work on the program was entitled “Wishing Well” and was created by New Brunswick, New Jersey based choreographer Stuart Loungeway. The evening’s final work, “Jonathan,” was choreographed by me and featured an original score by WCU faculty composer Robert Maggio performed live by the Electrum Duo: WCU faculty percussionist Ralph Sorrentino and flutist Sophia Anastasia. I was invited to teach a dance master class for the West Chester University dance Department.
The class was alot of fun and it was so interesting to work with the young people at the University.

In my work “JLS”....
“Jonathan,” was played by my childhood friend and hip hop icon “Kwikstep Dinosio,”.
In the work “JLS” the audience finds a young man frustrated with the meaningless materialism, conformity and limitation of his work life. He is seized with a passion for street dance and dance of all kinds, and his soul soars as he experiments with exhilarating challenges of daring and triumphant street-dancing feats. Eventually, his lack of conformity to the limited corporate work life leads him into conflict with his boss and co-workers, and they fire him, turn their backs on him, casting him out of their society and exiling him. Not deterred by this, he continues his efforts to reach higher and higher goals, finding he is often successful but eventually he can dance no harder or spin no longer. He is then met by two radiant, dancers played by Se-Yong Kim and Julie Cobble who explain to him that though he has learned much, they are there now to teach him more.

The music......
Electrum Duo, comprised of flutist Sophia Anastasia and percussionist Ralph Sorrentino, were a truly dynamic and exciting chamber ensemble. They presents concerts using a variety of flutes and percussion instruments. The duo has been performing engaging recitals throughout the Greater Philadelphia area since its inception in 2007. The duo's tonal spectrum spans a wide variety of colors, making use of various flutes and a multitude of percussion instruments including vibraphone, marimba and multiple percussion.
I love that the Electrum Duo's has an interest in promoting the music of young composers while adding to the flute and percussion duo repertoire has led them to explore several collaborative ventures and commissions.

I can’t help on reflecting on this amazing opportunity to work with everyone who was involved in this project and can’t help but wonder what will be next........

Mark Roxey