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Jamie Nichols
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The Alex Theatre
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Glendale, CA

Celebrate Dance 2012 to be presented March 3, 2012 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA

by Jamie Nichols
March 3, 2012
The Alex Theatre
216 North Brand Boulevard

Glendale, CA 91203
818-243-7700
WHAT: Executive Producer Jamie Nichols presents CELEBRATE DANCE 2012 Saturday March 3, 2012 8:00pm at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California with a line-up of and eight extraordinary dance companies. The evening of dance promises to be athletic, theatrical, hypnotic and inspiring. CELEBRATE DANCE 2012 offers a fresh blend of new works in a seamless production with gorgeous lighting, premieres and Los Angeles debuts. Celebrating contemporary, modern, ballet and jazz dance this is the hottest ticket in town! CELEBRATE DANCE has sold out for last four seasons so get your tickets now!

Among the eight dance companies CELEBRATE DANCE 2012 brings two companies from San Diego for this season. Malashock Dance under the direction of John Malashock returns to Celebrate Dance after tremendous audience response to the work presented in CD 2011. After a distinguished performing career with Twyla Tharp Dance in New York, John Malashock founded Malashock Dance in 1988. Malashock was most recently named "Faces To Watch in 2011" by the Los Angeles Times. The second company from San Diego, LaDiego Dance Theater, will enjoy a Los Angeles debut on the Alex stage under the direction of Daniel Marshall. Former dancer with Cleo Parker Robinson Company in Denver, Colorado and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in Ohio. Mr. Marshall received the 1997 Tommy Award for Best Male Performer/Choreographer and in 2001 Dance Magazine named Mr. Marshall one of "25 to Watch". Six hard charging award winning and critically acclaimed companies from the greater Los Angeles area will offer enticing premieres as well: Hysterica Dance Company, Invertigo Dance Theatre, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, Monat Dance, Regina Klenjoski Dance Company and RhetOracle Dance Company.

This is the seventh installment of the annual event and promises to be another outstanding night of dance for Los Angeles. For three consecutive years 2007, 2008 and 2009 CELEBRATE DANCE was awarded the Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement for Festival. Numerous participants have received Lester Horton Dance Awards from participating in the annual festival presented by impresaria, Jamie Nichols. Most recently RhetOracle Dance Company was awarded the 2011 Lester Horton Award for work created for and presented in CD10 and Regina Klenjoski Dance Company has been named a finalist in The Dance Under The Stars Festival for a premiere presented in CD11. Continuing her commitment to community outreach, Executive Producer Jamie Nichols has created a partnership with a middle school implementing master classes taught by participating dance companies and has donated hundreds of free tickets to underserved school children. Celebrate Dance continues to be a sell-out show with enthusiastic audiences of all ages. Show time runs approximately 2 hours and is suitable for all ages.

WHO:
Executive Producer Jamie Nichols presents:
Hysterica Dance Company / Artistic Director Kitty McNamee
Invertigo Dance Theatre / Artistic Director Laura Karlin
LaDiego Dance Theater/ Artistic Director Daniel Marshall
Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company / Artistic Director Kate Hutter with choreography by Genevieve Carson
Lydia Zimmer/ Solo Artist
Malashock Dance / Artistic Director John Malashock with choreography by John Malashock and Michael Mizerany
Monat Dance / Artistic Director Sophie Monat
Regina Klenjoski Dance Company / Artistic Director Regina Klenjoski
RhetOracle Dance Company / Artistic Director Nate Hodges

WHERE:
Alex Theatre 216 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, California 91023

WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 2012, 8:00pm

TICKETS: $16-$36 (all children seated with an adult, $12)
Discounts: students, seniors and DRC Members.
Group rates for 15 or more @ 25% off are available by calling the Box Office

HOW: Alex Theatre Box office 818-243-2539 or http://www.alextheatre.org

Executive Producer Jamie Nichols was the Artistic Director and founder of the Pasadena based contemporary dance company Fast Feet for 23 years. Until retiring her dance company in 2003 she self-produced her work in festivals and venues throughout California. Critically acclaimed for the emotional intensity and eloquence of her dancing and choreography, she has been the recipient of six Lester Horton Dance Awards including: Outstanding Achievement in Producing a Festival for Celebrate Dance 2006, 2007 and 2008, and the prestigious Furthering the Visibility of Dance Award (2010) presented by The Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles.

Celebrate Dance Artist Bios

From opera to pop, Kitty McNamee embraces each new project with wit, grace and unique style. Her ability to draw sophisticated, engaging performances from superbly trained dancers, as seen in her opera and concert work, is matched by her sensitive approach to "non" movers. Kitty specializes in developing a creative exchange with performers, which encourages them to blossom and achieve their full movement potential. Kitty is the founder and Artistic Director of Hysterica Dance Company, a prolific and highly respected contemporary dance company in her current home of Los Angeles. Hysterica Dance Company emerged out of the late 90s and has become a creative, consistently prolific, and invigorating force in the Los Angeles dance community with co-artistic directors Kitty McNamee and Ryan Heffington. The company has performed extensively in the Southland andnationally and was nominated for a Lester Horton Award for Best Performance by a Company for their July 2002 performance of Sticks & Stones at the Ford Amphitheatre and again for their performance in Split in April 2005 and Rapture in 2007. Kitty also brings her passion and highly original voice to TV, opera, videos, live events and film. She has drawn amazing performances from Julianne Hough, Margaret Cho, Vanessa Williams, Neil Patrick Harris, Lily Tomlin, the boys of 90210 and the ladies of the L-Word. Kitty has created original works for LA Opera, San Francisco Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera showcasing the talents of Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon, Patricia Racette and Renee Fleming. Kitty's wonderfully inventive work has also been seen with the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, in Man of La Mancha for Reprise! and off-Broadway in Margaret Cho's smash hit Sensuous Woman. This will be Hysterica's first appearance in Celebrate Dance. www.hystericadance.com

Laura Karlin is the founder and artistic director of Invertigo Dance Theatre. She graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with degrees in Choreography/Production and LGBT Rights. She moved back to London, where she studied dance theatre and contemporary dance, trained with Akram Khan and choreographed and performed with Synergy Dance Theatre, Snapdragon Dance and the prestigious Resolution! festival. She moved to Los Angeles to work on a commission by the LA Contemporary Dance Company as choreographer, performer and head of education/outreach. She worked as Assistant Artistic Director for the Beverly Hills High School Advanced Dance Theatre Group for 2 years. She teaches yoga and dance classes to students from 9 to 83 years old.
She founded Invertigo Dance Theatre with the aim of creating a vibrant dance institution in Los Angeles. She choreographs for the company and works to make Invertigo a lively presence in the LA through performance, education, outreach and collaboration.

Daniel Marshall began his dance career in California at the San Diego Creative School of Performing Arts. Soon after Graduation (1992), he went to New York to accept a scholarship at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Mr. Marshall later (1993) found himself with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company. During his four years in Denver Mr. Marshall was able to develop his style and travel across the globe to places including Germany, Kenya, Poland, and Russia. By 1997, Daniel became Artistic Director of the San Diego Contemporary Dance Ensemble. During this time he set several pieces including "Blessed Assurance" which received the 1997 Tommy Award for Best Male Performer/Choreographer. In 1999, become a premiere dancer with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. In 2001 Dance Magazine named Daniel one of its "25 to Watch". Daniel has set ballets for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Vineland Regional Dance Company, Ballet Yuma and South Dayton Dance Theater just to name a few. Daniel Received National Choreography Award NE in 2002 along with being a two time finalist in Dancing Under the Stars Festival in Palm Desert and San Diego's Young Choreographer's Competition. In 2006, Daniel set work on San Diego Dance Theater and directed "Cats" the musical for San Diego Junior Theater. Mr. Marshall has recently been awarded Best Choreography Awards from Hollywood Vibe (2011) in Los Angeles and Dance America (2011) in San Diego. Dance America also awarded Mr. Marshall Teacher's Choice, Best Technical and Overall Performance. He remains the Artistic Director of LaDiego Dance Theater. This is LaDiego Dance Theatre's Los Angeles debut and first participation with Celebrate Dance. www.ladiego.org

Genevieve Carson (choreographer / dancer) L.A. Contemporary Dance Company, is a native of Juneau, Alaska. She received both academic and dance scholarships to study dance at Chapman University, where she was named "Best Student Choreographer" two years in a row. In 2007, she graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance, and was named "Most Outstanding Senior" by her department. Carson's choreographic work has been showcased at the Los Angeles Dance Invitational, American College Dance Festival, Pulse Annual Showcase, the Waltmar Theatre, the Standard Hotel, and most recently at the Los Angeles Convention Center with LA ContemporaryDance Company. In March of 2011, she set choreography for a new Comedy Central series, marking her television debut. Genevieve has taught modern and contemporary movement at several studios and schools throughout the Los Angeles area, including the Oakwood School, Renaissance Arts Academy, and most recently, Creative Energy Dance School in Palos Verdes. She has had the honor to perform all over the US with Arianne MacBean's The Big Show Company, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Rebecca Pappas' Pappas and Dancers, and Bare Dance Company. L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC) is a non-profit repertory dance company that offers Los Angeles professional and innovative dance experiences throughout the year. LACDC performs a diverse repertoire of modern, ballet and jazz influenced works reflective of L.A.'s vibrant culture. By affording choreographers and dancers the opportunity to create concert length work in an experimental and collaborative environment, LACDC strives to foster the development of new forms in the contemporary dance genre relevant to today's audiences. This is LACDC's first appearance in Celebrate Dance. www.LADanceCo.org.

John Malashock brings 35 years of experience in dance, theater and film to his current endeavors as Artistic Director of Malashock Dance & The Malashock Dance School, during which time he has created over 70 choreographic works, dance/theater collaborations, theater and opera productions, and award-winning dance films. John founded Malashock Dance in 1988, after a distinguished performing career with Twyla Tharp in New York. Under his leadership, Malashock Dance has grown to become one of California's premiere dance companies and his work has now been presented throughout the United States, Central America, Japan and Central Europe. With the Tharp Company, he performed worldwide; appeared in the Academy Award-winning film Amadeus; was featured in numerous television specials; and performed in benefit concerts with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Malashock has many notable collaborative credits to his name. He has choreographed for productions at the La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe Theatre, and the San Diego Rep. and has also been commissioned by the San Diego Symphony, La Jolla Music Society and SanDiego Opera. He has garnered four Emmy Awards for his dance films, which have aired on over 30 affiliate PBS stations nationwide. His recent collaboration with The San Diego Museum of Art, The Floating World, was widely praised. John teaches classesworkshops throughout the year at The Malashock Dance School and has served as guest faculty for the American Dance Festival, Cal State Long Beach, Dance Space New York, ADF/Tokyo, Connecticut College, and University of Utah, among many others. A leader within the local and national dance communities, Malashock currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Dance USA and is proud to have taken the leadership role in conceiving, developing and establishing Dance Place San Diego at Liberty Station. This is Malashock Dance's second appearance in Celebrate Dance. www.malashockdance.org

Michael Mizerany is the Associate Artistic Director for the San Diego-based Malashock Dance and teaches advanced modern dance at The Malashock Dance School. Michael studied dance at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and then joined The Modern America Dance Company (MAD/CO) in 1986. After three seasons with MAD/CO, Michael relocated to Los Angeles to join Loretta Livingston & Dancers and, in 1996; Michael joined the internationally renowned Bella Lewitzky Dance Company for their final season of touring. He has also served as a guest artist with such companies as Yorke Dance Project, Francisco Martinez Dance Theater, and LosAngeles Chamber Ballet. Michael has been nominated a record seven times for the Lester Horton Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance, winning the prestigious award in 1995 and 1996 for his solos Tin Solider and Bump In The Road, respectively. Additionally, Michael was nominated for a Regional Emmy Award for his portrayal of the misogynistic antagonist in John Malashock's dance film The Soul Of Saturday Night. He has danced in venues across the nation, including Orange County Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center in New York City and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Michael has choreographed extensively, and his works are in the repertory of such companies as MAD/CO, San Diego CivicDance Company, Michigan Dance Collective and Malashock Dance. Recently, his male duets, Far From Eden and Let me Into Your Skin, premiered at Diversionary Theater's Dance/Theatre event with much critical acclaim. Most recently, Michael produced Malashock/RAWwhich was presented at the La JollaPlayhouse in October. www.malashockdance.org

Sophie Monat, Artistic Director of Monat Dance, was born in London, England and began her professional career in Europe, where she danced with the Lille Opera Ballet in France and the National Ballet ofPortugal. Following eight years as Ballet Mistress to the New Jersey Ballet, she served as Director of the Classical/Contemporary Dance Department at the Orange County H.S. of the Arts and was also Ballet Mistress to the State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara. Ms. Monat is currently a member of the full-time faculty at the California State University Long Beach Dance Department, where she teaches, directs, and choreographs for the department's dance concerts. She also guest teaches extensively and has taught, choreographed, and staged a wide range of classical and contemporary ballets for ballet companies, dance festivals, professional schools, and universities including Stanford University, ODC/San Francisco, the Lyon Opera Ballet, Loyola Marymount University and Montclair State University, New Jersey. A three-time recipient of the finalist award at the McCallum Theatre's Dance Under the StarsChoreography Festival in Palm Desert, Ms. Monat formed her dance company, Monat Dance, in 2009. Most recently, the company won second place for Monat's ballet, Vista, at the 2011 Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival. This will be Monat Dance's second participation in Celebrate Dance. www.monatdance.com

Regina Klenjoski "is one of the most active and ambitious dance makers leading Southland contemporary companies" (Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times). Recognized for her innovative partnering and dynamic energy, she has created 24 works for Regina Klenjoski Dance Company since its inception in 1999. She has received numerous awards including 26 Lester Horton Dance Award nominations, four Choreography awards from the prestigious Dance Under the Stars ChoreographyFestival and in 2008 the Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Achievement inChoreography for The Museum Project. She was recently honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, Ohio University, and has received an Excellence in Arts Award from the City of Torrance for her contributions to the community. In addition to being presented at the Avignon Festival Off in France, her work has been performed regionally and nationally and has been commissioned by the Tennessee Children's Dance Ensemble, Chicago's Next Dance Festival, Loyola Marymount University, California State University, Long Beach, Renaissance High School for the Arts, and Zephyr Dance. She serves as the executive director of RKDC's 500-student Dance School in Torrance, producer of the SOLA Contemporary Dance Festival, and was visiting lecturer in dance at California State University, Long Beach. Regina would like to give special thanks to her dancers for their tireless creative contributions during the rehearsal process. This is RKDC's second time participating in Celebrate Dance. www.rkdc.org

RhetOracle Dance Company was founded, by Nate Hodges, in 2006 and has been striving to bridge the creative gap between commercial and concert jazz dance since its formation five years ago. RhetOracle has collaborated with Jamie Nichols' Celebrate Dance, the Los Angeles Dance Invitational, Vin'Yet Productions, Culture Shock Los Angeles, The Jimmie DeFore Foundation, Fusion Dance Center, Consuming the Arts, and has produced a successful club show The After Hours, an adult-themed dance cabaret for theintellectual, which has been performed at Sachi Bar and The Socal Rock Revolution Music Festival. RhetOracle has been nominated for 13 Lester Horton Dance Awards including five nominations for Best Achievement in Short Form Choreography and won in 2010 for Flowers That Pick Themselves. The company recently completed their 5th full-length production, an adaptation of the classic ballet La Bayadere, in partnership with Irvine Valley College. Thiswill be the 3rd appearance of RhetOracle Dance Company in Celebrate Dance. www.rhetoracle.com

Invertigo Dance Theatre is a Los Angeles contemporary dance company, founded in 2007 and under the artistic direction of Laura Karlin. She graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with degrees in Choreography/Production and LGBT Rights. Invertigo produces dance theater that tells compelling stories by blending athletic movement, original music and theatricality. Invertigo collaborates with dancers, musicians, choreographers and theatrical designers, and we strive to create performance and outreach programming which draws in a wide range of artists, audiences and participants. Invertigo was named one the top six trend-setting companies to watch in Los Angeles by Dance Spirit Magazine. Our Dancing Through Parkinson's program offers twice-weekly dance classes to people living withParkinson's disease, in Venice and in mid-city LA. This is Invertigo's first appearance with Celebrate Dance. www.invertigodance.org

Lydia Zimmer, a native to Nova Scotia, Canada, graduated from Walnut Hill School in 2007 and joined the Boston Conservatory Dance Division where she received her B.F.A.2011 Magna Cum Laude on The Conservatory Scholarship. Lydia has trained at programs such as Canada's National Ballet School, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Jacob's Pillow Contemporary Traditions, The Movement Invention Project, and Springboard Danse Montreal. Lydia is currently a freelance dance artist in LA and ballet teacher at Talent Lab in Westlake Village. Lydia performs as an improvisation dancer in both solo and group settings internationally and she hopes to bring a new voice to the improvisation scene in LA. This is her formal Los Angeles debut. www.zimmerdance.com

Production Manager/Lighting Designer for Celebrate Dance 2012, Eileen Cooleybecame part of the Bella Lewitzky legacy as the production manager for Bella's seminal 1980's performance series, In The Works. In 2005 she came full circle as co-lighting designer with Andy Milhan for the final Lewitzky Legacy Concert. She currently serves as lighting designer for: Viver Brasil. Danza Floricanto/USA, the Rangoli Foundation, Regina Klenjoski Dance Theater, and Catch Me Bird. Her work in theater has earned her two Dramalogue awards and one L.A Weekly award. Eileen was honored in 2006 by Board of Directors of The Dance Resource Center Of Greater Los Angeles with the Gary Bates Service To The Field Award for her unwavering support and brilliant contribution to dance in Los Angeles. This is Eileen's 6th participation as Production Manager /Lighting Designer for Celebrate Dance. In 2008 she shared with Monique L'Heureux, the Lester Horton Dance Award for lighting design for Celebrate Dance.

Jamie Nichols Executive Producer was the Artistic Director and founder of the Pasadena based contemporary dance company Fast Feet for 23 years. Until retiring her dance company in 2003 she self-produced her work in festivals and venues throughout California. Ms. Nichols has been critically acclaimed for the emotional intensity and eloquence of her dancing and choreography. She is the recipient of six Lester Horton Dance Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the categories of: Performance Individual, Re-staging/Revival, Excellence in Teaching, Production of A Festival /Series (Celebrate Dance 2006-2007-2008). She was honored with the Dance Resource Center Of Los Angeles Meritorious Award for Outstanding and Extensive Years of Service, Overall Volunteer Community Service and Leadership in 2006. Ms. Nichols was honored at the 19th Annual Lester Horton Dance Awards with the Furthering The Visibility of Dance Award and most recently Celebrate Dance 2009 and 2010 were finalists for the Lester Horton Dance Award for Festival. She is the marketing director, fundraiser, press contact and sole producer for Celebrate Dance. She has also produced: modern dance icon Marion Scott's Spirit Dances 10 at Highways Performance Space, the 16th Annual Lester Horton Dance Awards 2007 (the "Academy Awards" of California Concert Dance) at the Alex Theatre, The Los Angeles Dance Invitational Tribute To Stanley Holden and Tribute To Edward Villella and Co-Producer with Theater Bethune of Ray Bradbury's Frost and Fire at the Alex Theatre. She is currently teaching her own powerful and passionate method of Contemporary Jazz at LALA (Live Arts Los Angeles) and Theatre Movement and Dance at the American Academy of DramaticArts in Hollywood, CA. www.celebratedance.org
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