Baltimore County Dance Celebration 'Takes a Leap'

From Baltimore County: Take a Leap, a month-long-plus Baltimore County Dance Celebration, takes to the stage February 2 - March 18, 2017. The celebration, now in its fourth year, highlights the range of dance styles offered on Baltimore County stages, from ballet to bluegrass stompin’ to contemporary.

Featured performances include African American-inspired contemporary dance from Philadanco, edgy multi-media works with original scores from Baltimore Dance Project, an opportunity to meet ballet master Alan Hineline, and Baltimore’s best regional dance companies at the Baltimore Dance Invitational.

“This is one more exciting way we are bringing the performing arts into our communities. Baltimore County has gathered our rich and varied dance community to create opportunities to ‘take a leap’ and try something new,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

“Take a Leap is a wonderful partnership between Baltimore County, the Gordon Center and our dance community. The styles and range of performances are designed for dance lovers and performers, as well as a lively introduction to dance for all ages and interests,” said Randi Benesch, Managing Director of Arts & Culture for the Gordon Center for Performing Arts and Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore.

Featured performances include:

Baltimore Dance Project

• February 9, 10, 11, 2017 8:00 p.m.
• UMBC Performing Arts & Humanities Proscenium Theater
• 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250

Edgy collaborations among dancers, sound and visual artists, with premieres of Doug Hamby’s Duet, Sandra Lacy’s mysterious new solo Lost, and Carol Hess’ reconstruction of Janet Soares’ Image in Red for dancer Franki Trout. Additional works include Carol Hess’ Dolled Up, examining the interiors of five women in fancy dresses. Original scores by sound artist Timothy Nohe and composer Anna Rubin.

Alan Hineline, Ballet Showcase and Meet the Artist

• February 10, 2017 6:00 p.m.
• Goucher College, Todd Studio
• 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204

Meet the artist and enjoy a showcase of a ballet segment by Alan Hineline. Hineline’s artistic and management leadership talents have served Ballet San Jose, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Ballet Phillipines. His body of work is in the repertories of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company and The Juilliard Dance Ensemble.

Ariel Rivka Dance

• February 12, 2017 4:00 p.m.
• Gordon Center for Performing Arts
• 3506 Gwynnbrook Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

This New York company performs The Book of Esther: The Journey of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther

and other works. This evening-length narrative dance work with an original score written by David Homan explores the biblical stories of Queen Vashti and Queen Esther, which epitomize the traditions of community and collaboration.

The Peking Acrobats

• February 19, 2017 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Gordon Center for Performing Arts
• 3506 Gwynnbrook Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

The Peking Acrobats’ daring acrobatic maneuvers deftly defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility and control. A family event, all with the rhythm, choreography and beauty of dancers.

Towson University Dance Majors Performance Projects

• February 23, 24, 25, 2017 7:00 p.m.
• Towson University Center for the Arts, Towson, MD 21250

A concert featuring unique performances by Towson University dance majors.

Philadanco

• February 25, 2017 8:00 p.m.
• Gordon Center for Performing Arts
• 3506 Gwynnbrook Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

Experience the artistry of The Philadelphia Dance Company, aka Piladanco, celebrated for its innovation, creativity and preservation of predominantly African-American traditions in dance.

Baltimore Dance Invitational

• February 26, 4:00 p.m.
• Gordon Center for Performing Arts
• 3506 Gwynnbrook Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

The Baltimore Dance Invitational (BDI) draws the region's top talent together for an eclectic evening of original dance. Dance companies are selected through a juried process that represents high-quality professional dance from the Baltimore region and beyond. Hosted by Baltimore's own The Collective Dance Company.

Maryland Dance Alliance

• Friday, March 3
• Gordon Center for Performing Arts
• 3506 Gwynnbrook Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

With support from the Maryland Dance Education Association, the Maryland Dance Alliance presents an evening concert of public and private high school dance students performing juried work.

Steppin’ at the Junction Featuring Charm City Junction & Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble

• Saturday, March 18
• Gordon Center for Performing Arts
• 3506 Gwynnbrook Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

Acoustic roots band Charm City Junction joins forces with the legendary Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble for an evening of old-time, Irish, and bluegrass-inspired music and dance.

Tickets and full event calendar are available here.

Take a Leap is presented by the Baltimore County Commission on Arts & Sciences in partnership with the Gordon Center for Performing Arts in Owings Mills and Baltimore County’s dance community.

Image via Baltimore County