JDF Promo Video (30 Sec version - CC-lossless - lower res)
Anoushka Shankar - Dancing in Madness | Barkha Patel Choreography
Can We Dance Here? | 2024 Trailer, Soles of Duende
PRATYASHA Script RUPASREE MALLICK Concept, Choreography and Music design by SANDIPMALLICK
We hosted the inaugural Jamestown Dance Festival, a vibrant celebration of diverse dance forms and cultural expressions. The festival featured captivating performances from award-winning dance companies, including Barkha Dance Company (Sept. 7), Biodance (Sept. 7), Soles of Duende (Sept. 8), Sandip Mallick (Sept. 8), and Sukanya Burman Dance (Sept. 8).
Workshops
In addition to these performances, we offered guest workshops led by Barkha Patel (Sept. 8 - 10am) and Soles of Duende (Sept. 7 - 3pm). These workshops provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn directly from leading figures in Kathak, Flamenco, Tap, and more, offering a hands-on experience that deepened their understanding of these diverse dance forms.
Schedule of Events
FRIDAY - SEPT 6
Film Screening - “Obsessed with Light” Screening - Jamestown Community College, Student Union Room - 5-6:30 PM (Free event)
SATURDAY- SEPT 7
Workshop - Soles of Duende Workshop - Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet- 3-4:30 PM
Performance BioDance + Barkha Dance Company - Reg Lenna Center for the Arts - 7-9:15 PM
SUNDAY - SEPT 8
Workshop - Barkha Dance Company - Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet - 10-11:30 AM
Performance - Sandip Mallick + Sukanya Burman Dance + Soles of Duende -Reg Lenna Center for the Arts - 4-7 PM
The Jamestown Dance Festival, spearheaded by Sukanya Burman Dance and co-presented with The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, marked its inaugural year in Chautauqua County with a weekend full of dance performances, workshops, a film screening, and panel discussions from September 6th to 8th, 2024. Set in Jamestown, NY, JDF showcased global dance genres through unique collaborations with dancers, artists, and musicians. The festival prioritized pay equity in the arts and aimed to make dance accessible and affordable, fostering a robust artistic community. With a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, 60% of the featured artists were artists of color, embracing a range of cultural dance forms and contributing to gender and geographic diversity.
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Featured Dance Companies
Barkha Dance Company, based in New York City, is led by the acclaimed kathak dancer and choreographer Barkha Patel. With performances at prestigious venues like Jacob’s Pillow, Joyce Theatre, and Lincoln Center, her work blends traditional Indian classical dance with contemporary elements, earning her numerous accolades, including the 2023 Juried Bessie Award.
Soles of Duende is a dynamic trio from New York City, uniting the dance forms of Tap, Flamenco, and Kathak, and the group was nominated in 2023 for the Bessies "Outstanding Breakout Choreographer" Award. Comprised of Amanda Castro, Arielle Rosales, and Brinda Guha, the group celebrates their diverse cultural backgrounds and shared passion for music and dance, creating powerful and joyous performances that transcend disciplines.
Biodance, directed by Missy Pfohl Smith, is a contemporary repertory company from Rochester, NY. Known for its multidisciplinary collaborations and site-specific works, Biodance addresses social, political, and environmental issues through dance. The company engages with the community through performances, benefit concerts, and dance education programs.
Sukanya Burman Dance, based in Jamestown, NY, is a contemporary dance company led by Artistic Director and Choreographer Sukanya Burman. The company combines Indian diasporic dances and modern dance to explore compelling ideas and create shared visual experiences. With roots in Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Modern dance, Sukanya Burman Dance tells stories relevant to today's world through innovative movement.
Sandip Mallik, a distinguished Kathak dancer, trained under luminaries like Pandit Birju Maharajji and Pandit Chitresh Das. With a first-class postgraduate degree in Dance from Rabindra Bharati University, he has performed extensively in India and internationally, including the UK, Italy, and the USA. Sandip has won prestigious awards, choreographed acclaimed ballets, and developed 64 types of basic Kathak movements. He teaches at his institution, NADAM, and conducts workshops globally, continuing to innovate and inspire in Kathak.
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Jamestown Dance Festival wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our community, regional and state partners
