Special Recognition ARDC was selected as a second-round grantee for the National College Choreography Initiative (NCCI) funding to foster appreciation for American dance creativity. Established in 2002 with 50 grants to one college/university in every state, the grant became more competitive for the 2003 with only 35 grants funded to institutions in 28 states across the country.

ARDC partnered with University of Nevada, Las Vegas the first year. The 2003 NCCI grant is with University of California Irvine where Bonnie directs an early all-women work of Martha Graham, “Steps in the Street” part of the larger dance, Chronicle (1936) to music by Wallingford Riegger. The restaging is performed at UCI’s “Dance Visions” concert, February 26-29, 2004 at the Claire Trevor Theatre.

To help access knowledge of Graham’s legacy, Bonnie designed outreach activities surrounding the restaging:

• Lecture/Demonstration at Santa Ana High School for students.
• Lectures about the development of modern dance for Orange County Performing Arts Center’s “Informally Yours”.
• A retrospective exhibition, “Gestures of Life” on display at Langson Library, UCI, from May – November, 2004. The exhibition comprised of eight display cases features photographs from the Barbara Morgan Archive as well as materials gathered from Special Collections.

Community/Arts Education Programs ARDC is the resident dance company at the Alex Theatre, a 1,400 seat exquisitely restored 1925 landmark site in Glendale, California. Since 2002, the ARDC/Alex affiliation has produced expansive arts education/outreach programming. Originally funded by California Arts Council’s Exemplary Arts, LAUSD District K & F, and the Honorable Michael D. Antonovich, recent in-school activities were supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation, and DreamWorks among others. Students and teachers in Grades 3 – 12 were treated to “Stories of Heroes” narrated performance and/or in-class dance residency on themes of heroes, journeys/quests and social values. These activities were enhanced by Curriculum Guides and Study Guides for teachers. The content of both booklets align with State standards in Visual and Performing Arts Framework, and integrates with grade level skills in “Language Arts”, “Listening/Speaking”, and “Social Studies.”

“DREAMS” ARDC is launching “DREAMS” a multi-disciplinary arts participation project for under-served children and youth to promote the experience of arts and culture, positive social values, and greater appreciation for our human differences. Structured by the literacy of poetry about the meaning and vision of one’s “dreams, hopes and aspirations” ARDC’s artists and Creative Team members mentor youth from community organizations to find expression of the poetry through dance, music and art. The partnering community groups are:

• Rosemont Avenue Elementary School – Evaristo Barrett, Principal and Brad Rumble, Assistant Principal- is located within a high-risk, economically disadvantaged urban region, with a student population of 1,600 where 17 languages are spoken. The partnership was facilitated by Leah Bass-Baylis, Dance Advisor for the L.A. Unified School District. Tracy Godfrey’s fifth graders were mentored by Grammy-Award songwriter Bunny Hull, shadow puppeteer artist Lynn Jeffries, ARDC choreographer Kathleen McNulty, and costume designer Mariel McEwan.
• Atanian Art Center, founded ten years ago in Glendale, the center has served over 500 youths in aspects of the visual arts while learning the history of European and global art. Bonnie Oda Homsey worked with Vladimir and Irina Atanian to construct a poster contest about “dreams” and engaged the students to craft 400 items as gifts and reminders for audience members to continue to realize their dreams. Eight works from Atanian students were gifted to Rosemont Avenue Elementary to inspire their students about the potency of art and self-esteem.
• Pasadena Civic Ballet Center, a longtime dance institution in Pasadena, has a strong scholarship and pre-professional program comprised of ethnically diverse youths from ages 5 – teens. Directed by Diane De Franco-Browne and Tania Grafos, twelve of PCB’s students work with ARDC choreographer Debra Noble to explore poetry through dance. Inspired by the traditional Chinese ribbon dance students learn about other cultures while deepening knowledge of creative process and performance craft.

The nine-month project culminates with a performance on Saturday May 1, 2004 at 8pm at the Alex Theatre (818) 243-2539. Join us!

Upcoming Dates ARDC is please to announce its second “Dance Retreat” at Kalani Oceanside Retreat on the Big Island of Hawaii. The dates are June 13 – 19, 2004. The weeklong oasis is geared for dance instructors, former dancers and pre-professional students. Featured in the January, 2004 issue of Dance Teacher magazine, the “Dance Retreat” occurs amid the lush southeast coast of Hawaii. Participants can select from morning and evening session classes and use the afternoons for exploring Hawaii’s beauty or partaking in Kalani’s regular array of spa offering including massage, watsu, facials and pre-arranged cultural activities or tours.

All sessions focus on strengthening anatomical perspectives and broadening skills of teaching methodology. Each session is lead by ARDC’s distinguished artists [*see Biographies]. The morning sessions include yoga/stretch, ballet, modern, and hula. Evening sessions include repertory/composition, and jazz/hip hop. The ballet and modern dance classes feature piano accompaniment by Alan Terricciano, Chair of Dance at University of California Irvine and longtime faculty at American Dance Festival.

Contact Lauren Gardner, Group & Facility Manager, Kalani (800) 800-6886 for more information.

Cost: $660-1800 per week, depending on accommodation choice. Includes 4 classes per day, three meals per day, and lodging.