While many people think of ballet as being the primary form of performative dance, Modern Dance has a long and fascinating history — or 'herstory' as the case may be. Few people outside of the dance world really know and understand the complexities and wide variety of forms of Modern Dance, so this virtual event is intended to change that!
Suzanne Caesar is a choreographer, speaker, certified perinatal fitness expert and founder of Maternal Dance™ and Rhythm For Life™ who has dedicated her life to the study of dance. She will present an abridged 'herstory' of the art form, looking at ballet as it relates to the beginnings of Modern Dance, and then focusing on how the women “revolutionists” of dance in the late 19th - early 20th centuries shaped what the art form is today. She will also share about her work on the HERA Odyssey, a show which draws on dance history to tell the story of women’s empowerment and transformation.
You will leave with a better understanding and appreciation of Modern & Contemporary Dance so that you may more fully enjoy experiencing it when we are safely able to return to dance venues.
This is a great event for anyone who:
Is interested in gaining a better appreciation for dance
Has ever thought that ballet is the primary form of dance
Would like to better enjoy experiencing dance as an audience member
This will be a fireside-chat style conversation with some video demonstrations. All attendees are encouraged (but not required) to have their cameras on and bring any questions about dance which they may have always been too scared or embarrassed to ask.
$10 early-bird through May 5th; $15 thereafter
Art-full Members: $5 early-bird through May 5th; $10 thereafter
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This event is part of our Art 101 online series which seeks to give participants a better understanding of different art forms, through their history and in the words of art practitioners, rather than teachers.
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More about Suzanne Caesar:
Suzanne Caesar, MA, is a choreographer, a certified perinatal fitness expert, dance producer, speaker and founder of Rhythm For LifeTM. Considered an innovator in prenatal dance, Suzanne produced and choreographed The Prenatal Belly Dance Workout DVD, endorsed by the March of Dimes and featured on foxnews.com, SELF and Pilates Style Magazines, among other media outlets.
A native New Yorker, Suzanne was a champion Irish dancer by age 13. After a brief career in advertising she decided to follow her passion. She began dancing with Stephen Koplowitz & Company, performing in such venues as The American Museum of Natural History and Dance Theatre Workshop, as well as with other freelance choreographers with performances at The Dia Arts Foundation and Westbeth Gallery, followed by touring throughout Mexico. One of Suzanne’s proudest achievements was when she received a handwritten recommendation from jazz dance legend, Luigi, which she continues to treasure to this day.
While working on her Master of Arts in Dance at NYU, Suzanne became pregnant with her first child, setting the stage for her first program, Maternal DanceTM, as seen on the Discovery Health Channel, NY1, The Bump, Bella Magazine and more. Suzanne has worked in private schools as resident choreographer and dance educator, as well as for the Board of Education in NYC.
She has choreographed for the Somers Theatre Company, events for the Putnam Arts Council featuring cast members of Broadway’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, the United Way Telethon, and at SONY Plaza where she also performed with mambo world champion, Richard Diaz. Her most recent piece, Becoming Aphrodite, has been performed at The Hudson Guild Theatre, Shine On Cabaret, Reflections of the Feminine Soul art opening, and other special events. She is currently producing and choreographing The HERA Odyssey - the heroine’s journey told through dance. It’s an original evening-length dance play, combining both dance and women’s history with an individual narrative that weaves through the collective story.