BUILDING COMMUNITIES, SUSTAINING ARTISTS
MERIÁN SOTO’S BRANCH DANCES WORKSHOP & PERFORMANCE / MAY 2014
Arthur Avilés, Photo: Ricardo Muniz
Harold E. Smith, Photo: Ricardo Muniz
Marion Ramirez, Photo: Ricardo Muniz
On three consecutive weekends Merián Soto guided 10 Bronx choreographers and dancers in her Branch Dances meditative performance practice. Workshop participants balanced and interacted with tree branches in multiple ways, practicing detailed sequencing movement through inner pathways, and paying close attention to the effects of their actions on their bodies and states of mind. The workshop culmintated in a public performance on the streets of Westchester Square and in Owen Dolen Park as a part of the sixth annual Fair @ The Square festival organized by Westchester Square BID.
WORKSHOP
May 3, 4, 10,11,17,& 18; 12 to 3 pm
BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE
Saturday May 10; 1:30 to 3 pm
Westchester Square and Owen Dolen Park
Marsi Burns, Photo: Aviva Davidson
Arthur Avilés, Photo: Aviva Davidson
MERIÁN SOTO is a Bessie-Award winning choreographer and performance artist who, for over 35 years, has created and performed group and collaborative pieces across the US and internationally. Puerto Rican born, Soto came of age in the Bronx, where she co-founded Pepatián with Patti Bradshaw and Pepón Osorio. Soto is Professor of Dance at Temple University. Since 2005, she has developed Branch Dances performances for indoor and outdoor spaces, including Lincoln Center and Wave Hill. For more information on Branch Dances, visit: http://www.meriansoto.com/credits.html
Merian Soto, Photo: Ricardo Muniz
Branch Dances Workshop was co-presented with BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance in Partnership with Westchester Square BID.
The Branch Dances workshop received generous support from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
