newsy bits: flashmob, spectrum, men in dance, pnb, classes

NEWSY BITS

– Wanna Dance With Somebody? Flash Mob at Seattle Public Library (video below)
– Au revoir, Anne Derieux: Spectrum Executive Director Resigns (press release below)
– Save the Date for Men in Dance  (press release below…partial list of choreographers)
– PNB Announces Program for Fall Gala (see below…not a story ballet in sight!)
– Classes…I don’t normally post them here, because there are other places you can find them, but some pretty amazing folks are teaching around town in July and August. (Know of others? Please comment below!)

• Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation 
• Strictly Seattle at Velocity
• Evergreen City Ballet (including Patricia Barker and Louise Nadeau)

SPECTRUM PRESS RELEASE
(verbatim)

For Immediate Release
July 1, 2010


Executive Director Anne Derieux to Leave Spectrum Dance Theater

Seattle – Anne Derieux, Executive Director of Spectrum Dance Theater, has announced her resignation effective the end of July.  Derieux joined Spectrum Dance Theater in January 2005 as Development Director.  Shortly thereafter, Spectrum Dance Theater offered her the position of Managing Director. She was soon promoted to Executive Director with the goal of creating a professional, administrative structure to support the artistic vision Spectrum Dance Theater had created under its Artistic Director, Donald Byrd.  With their combined leadership, Spectrum Dance Theater has flourished.  Its school programs increased to serve over 500 students per week and the Academy Program was created for students aspiring to become professional dancers.  Spectrum’s professional dance company ranks as the second largest in the State and provides competitive, lengthy contracts to its company members.  Spectrum offers a full season of performances that include two Studio Series and mainstage productions at The Moore Theatre. During Derieux’s tenure, Spectrum Dance Theater has toured both nationally and internationally.

“The five years I have spent at Spectrum have been very fruitful and enriching”, said Derieux, “shaping the development of a professional dance company in Seattle has been immensely rewarding.  I feel fortunate to have been part of Spectrum’s growth and I am very proud of what has been accomplished under my executive leadership.  Today Spectrum is in a strong position and I wish it a very bright future.  At this stage of my professional career, I am eager to expand my horizons and work in a different field. I have accepted the position of Director of Advancement at the French American School of Puget Sound.”

“We are grateful to Anne Derieux for her outstanding leadership over the past five years,” said Tricia Stromberg, Spectrum’s board chair. “She leaves us healthy, vibrant, and enjoying a very successful year. We’re looking forward to more great things under new leadership.”

A search for a new Executive Director is underway. JoAnna Lau, who is a 20 year Spectrum supporter and current board treasurer, will serve as the Transition Coordinator.  Donald Byrd continues as Artistic Director.  Spectrum’s Studio Manager of 25 years, Shirley Wong, is a studio point of contact until a new Executive Director is found.  The Spectrum School, including the Academy Program, will continue to be led by Shawn Roberts Hensley.  Hensley is the Director of School and Outreach Programs and has been with Spectrum for eleven years.

About Spectrum Dance Theater: Established in 1982, Spectrum Dance Theater is the largest professional contemporary dance company in Washington, presenting works by Artistic Director Donald Byrd and guest artists, with a focus on Northwest choreographers.  Its mission is to produce and present contemporary dance that challenges expectations and calls forth strong emotions, deep feelings and thoughtful responses. Three organizational components comprise Spectrum: the Professional Company, the School (serving over 500 students), and Outreach Programs. The school provides expert dance instruction in diverse dance forms to all. Through its outreach programs, Spectrum Dance Theater seeks to educate the community about dance as an art form and as a social/civic instrument.

Under Donald Byrd’s visionary artistic leadership since 2002, Spectrum has embarked on an exhilarating transformation that has attracted world-class dancers, produced some of the most engaging works in contemporary dance, and generated acclaim in both local and national press.

PNB GALA
(From a postcard I got today)

First Look 2010 Opening Night Gala
September 24 at McCaw Hall Petite Mort- Kylián
Six Dances – Kylián
Jardí Tancat – Duato
Glass Pieces – Robbins

Dinner, performance, and onstage party: $250…but cheaper tix for party + performance or just performance are available.


Happy 4th of July!
– Rosie