Spectrum in Motion Celebrates: Bayanihan Festival

Spectrum in Motion returns with a weekend-long virtual fundraising celebration!

Friday, June 4, 10am – June 6, 6pm, 2021

Get Tickets Here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/…/spectrum-in-motion…

Mabuhay and hello everyone! Join us for this celebratory weekend of events! 

Spectrum in Motion Dance Theatre Ensemble, a professional modern dance company and Community Conservatory, has been making dances, raising dancers, and building community by being a place where every body, regardless of race, class, gender, age, ability, or experience is welcomed to dance since 1982. Our roots run deep. We have been serving the Hartford / GH Region for over 25 years with the mission of creating a sustainable home to present dance and develop equitable access to dance education for emerging artists and future leaders. 

This fundraising weekend of events is to meet you where you are, at home. All proceeds benefit the continuous work of our Community Conservatory and Professional Dance Company, particularly our 6-week summer dance intensive, Instruments of Culture. 

Performances, Events, and Classes

New Works Evening: $25

Friday June 4, 2021 at 7PM 

This program will only consist of brand-new works created virtually over the past year. 

Solos & Duets: $50

Saturday June 5, 2021 7PM

This program will include archived works, listen to stories from the voices of dancers of every generation that celebrate the near 40 years of Spectrum in Motion’s history. 

Bayanihan Weekend: $75

All – Access Weekend Pass 

June 4 – 6, 2021

This ticket grants you access to all of our programs during our Bayanihan Festival! This ticket is tailor-made just for you! 

Dance A Story: Giraffes Can’t Dance: FREE ($25 Value)

Sunday June 6, 2021 4PM

You’re invited to The Jungle Dance!

This family-friendly interactive dance class and movie is one of our beloved traditions. 

Community Dance Classes: FREE ($30 Value)

All Weekend June 4 – 6, 2021 10AM

Try something new or return to a long-lost love. These classes are welcomed to all bodies. Bring yourself, friends, families, and colleagues. Adults 18+

A Message From Our Founder and Director

olivia ilano davis

June 2020

Dancing During Quarantine

It is time to dance.  

Now more than any other time, it is time to gather en masse to seek solace and peace of mind; to reach to others, to give & to receive comfort and the space to be and feel safe.  This is what we do.  This is what Spectrum brings.  We create a safe place to land.  This is what dance gives; a journey to self – discovery through mentoring and sequential learning and developing relationships and building community. Through our rigorous training, we raise dancers.  Their training provides them with skill sets and a language of movement and ultimately life lessons, a window to their own individual development.  Each lesson is manifested in the day to day from homework completion to overcoming a plethora of fears to simply loving who we are; how we look, how our bodies are shaped, and how we fit in the world.  How do we belong?    

Now more than any other time, it is time to dance.  When we dance, we can speak in multitude of languages.  When our emotions are at its height of varying degrees from uncertainty to blissful joy, our language of movement is universal.  

Now more than any other time, it is time to dance.  The daily practice of moving through space has the full natural benefit of releasing endorphins; more than simply exercising.  Dance uplifts our spirits, a fulfillment of self – expression, and the unifying force of camaraderie.  We dance in groups, from duets to ensemble work, even as a soloist, we are part of a whole.  

This is what we do.  Through our tailor- made instruments, our mantra is Every “bodies” should be dancing.  

We completed our school year via ZOOM.  As we found ourselves with minute to every minute changes in decisions regarding COVID 19, we as dancers were vigilant and stubbornly hopeful that we can get through the school year as we wait for what the summer might look like.  It was incumbent upon us to keep schedule and expectations normal.  It was the least of which we could bring to our students and families.  In dance terms, we brought ourselves Back to Center.  Now more than any other time, we danced.  From the shortest to the tallest, we maintained a schedule of classes whereby there was consistency in seeing the same faces, doing structured artistic activities, solidifying our foundation and aiming for that full range of movement.  

As we embark into summer, now more than any other time, we will dance.  Our students ache to come together.  The foremost question through the weeks of quarantine has been “WHEN”???  When will we be together again?  The response is simple, we are together now.  We are learning together now.  We are dancing together now.

Now more than ever, we must dance.  Current events of our times COVID 19 living in quarantine compounded with the social and civil unrest, our children have questions.  The hard questions with no direct answers and resolve.  We will engage in this conversation.  We will look at the past and we will not shy away from what is present.  We will commit to bringing ourselves back to center”.  

Years from now, our wish is for the children to remember how during these times of uncertainty, they stayed connected, comforted & nourished in the midst of all of this:

·      The shortest of all (Group 1) felt good about their bodies- how it works and how it moves through the space.  

·      The middle ones (Group 2), the busy bodies, learned to balance and to harness their energy through thoughtful self- investigation of what they can do, what they aspire to do, and what goals to meet.

·      The in-betweens not yet teens (Group 3), the most curious, had the safety net of knowing they are not alone and it is okay to be awkward, and it is always good to ask for help.  

·      The new teens (Group 4), the most vulnerable and yet invincible gained the valuable lesson of resilience.  As a team, they found themselves sturdy and durable and capable.

·      The young interns (rising high school seniors & graduating seniors) found hope mentoring younger students.  They were empowered with their own self – worth.

·      The junior faculty (BFA – UHARTT students – rising seniors) discovered their voice and gained immeasurable tenacity in their chosen field of dance.  

·      They ALL were introduced to new faces and made friends from faraway places.

·      They ALL were given permission to have fun and enjoy a summer filled with learning about themselves and others.

Now more than any other time, we will dance.

Black History Month

Our stories matter. Stories of the African diaspora matter.This annual event is a moving testament that honors and celebrates our ancestors. We will bring forth the achievements, perseverance, and joy of our collective stories through dance.For a near 40 years, it is a Spectrum in Motion tradition to name and carry the histories of our fallen, unsung, and trailblazing leaders. This year is no different.This year, we dig deeper into our roots. Many of the choreography in this year’s celebration are works that numerous generations have passed down.Join us in hearing these timeless and living histories: The integrity of expressing it on stage and the empowerment of passing it to the next.

Dugo Alaala: Blood Memories

Saturday, February 27 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Our stories matter. Stories of the African diaspora matter.This annual event is a moving testament that honors and celebrates our ancestors. We will bring forth the achievements, perseverance, and joy of our collective stories through dance.For a near 40 years, it is a Spectrum in Motion tradition to name and carry the histories of our fallen, unsung, and trailblazing leaders. This year is no different.This year, we dig deeper into our roots. Many of the choreography in this year’s celebration are works that numerous generations have passed down.Join us in hearing these timeless and living histories: The integrity of expressing it on stage and the empowerment of passing it to the next.

These video performances will be presented on Zoom.Registration is required. Please log in 5-10 minutes early as the presentation will begin promptly on-time.
2 p.m. Matinee:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfuuoqDgsHtKp–SJMxzobucPx3fAKFPq
7.p.m. Evening Performance:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoceyhrTIoGtBVjof7CeQjg8IgAMdZgpiR

EVERYONE IS DANCING!

Join us for our 4th Annual Spring Performance, Sumyaw Sa Lahat: Everyone is Dancing!

EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF 6 GENERATIONS OF SPECTRUM DANCERS SHARE THEIR LOVE OF DANCE!

Join us for the culmination of our student’s hard work this year. We will be highlighting the development of our Children’s Ensemble.

Tickets:
$10 Adults
$5 Students & Children 10+

Asylum Hill Congregational Church
814 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105

Spectrum TOO! Auditions

Calling all High School Students! We are having auditions for our Pre – Professional Modern Dance Company, Spectrum TOO!

  • Have the opportunity to perform beside professional company dancers.
  • Learn to perform in site specific spaces, including a performance where over 5,000 people will see you.
  • Participate in Master Classes
  • Learn a variety of dance techniques including various forms of traditional dance
  • AND SO MUCH MORE!

Join us Saturday May 25th or June 1st from 8am – 11am or 12:30pm – 3:30pm.
Regisration: $10
Walk In Registration: $15

Asylum Hill Congregational Church
814 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105

8th Annual Solos & Duets Fundraiser

Join us for Spectrum’s 8th annual Solos & Duets Fundraiser Dinner.

It is a wonderful night of performance, dinner, silent auction, and good people.

All proceeds go towards Spectrum’s student education programming: Stretching for Life After-school program and Instruments of Culture, 6-week summer dance intensive.

$75 per reservation
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4034162
Contact: spectruminmotion@gmail.com
413.218.0013

Asylum Hill Congregational Church
814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford CT, 06105
5 – 9pm


Winter Sharing

Join us in celebrating the dedication of our young dancers and the completion of the fall semester. This performance will be a culmination of class material and a Nutcracker Suite featuring different renditions of Trchaikovsky’s masterpiece.

 

Family Friendly. Come one, come all.

Treats crafted by TPD: Tasty Peaceful Design will be provided.

 

$10 Adults

$5 Students & Children 10+

Future Performances!

 

Join us for a full year of Raising dancers. Making dances. Building Community.

 

 

FALL PERFORMANCES:

Polaris Awards: Oct. 10.2018                                                          Winter Sharing: Dec. 14.2018

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts                                     Asylum Hill Congregational Church

5:30 – 9:00pm         $150 per Gala Ticket                                      6:00 – 7:30pm                     $10 Adults / $5 Students & Children 10+

 

 

SPRING PERFORMANCES:

Boars Head Yule log Festival: Jan. 4 – 6.2019                              Dugo Alaala (Blood Memories): Feb. 22 – 23.2019

Asylum Hill Congregational Church                                                Asylum Hill Congregational Church

More Info at https://www.ahcc.org                                                  6:00 – 7:30pm                  $10 Adults / $5 Students & Children 10+

 

 

8th Annual Solos & Duets: Apr. 13.2019                                      Sumayaw Sa Lahat (Everyone is Dancing): Jun. 7 – 8.2019

Asylum Hill Congregational Church                                             Asylum Hill Congregational Church

5:00 – 9:00pm        $75 per Fundraiser Ticket                            6:00 – 7:30pm                      $10 Adults / $5 Students & Children 10+