2nd Annual In-Home Artisan's Market

It's that time of year again! EDC will hold our second Annual In-Home Artisan's Market on Saturday, November 12 from 1-4pm at 6391 Devonshire Lane, Frederick, MD 21703. Start your holiday shopping with unique hand-crafted items while helping to raise funds for a nonprofit arts organization—it doesn't get any better!

Grab your friends for a fun, quaint, and unique holiday shopping experience (or buy something for yourself... we'll never tell!). Featuring hand-made crafts from local artisans including jewelry, photography, mixed media, bath & body products, and more. Plus, live acoustic music, light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will also be available for all attendees. Please plan to join us and invite your friends!

Equinox Dance Company Presents “Regard/React” in Response to Sculpture at Artomatic

Equinox Dance Company is thrilled to perform, "Regard/React" on Wednesday, November 2nd at 6:30 followed by a master class at 7pm at Artomatic Frederick. Performance will take place in the sculpture garden on the fourth floor at Artomatic (located at 115 E. Church Street, Frederick, Maryland). The audience will follow the performers around the fourth floor, as EDC explores the use of space around, under and in front of the artwork. The master class at 7pm is for all ages and levels. Participants will work on creating their own movement that relates to the sculpture pieces. The event is free and open to the public.

During the show, audience members will get to move around as each dance takes place in a different location on the fourth floor. Equinox will use dance to explore the desire to feel a sculpture and use their bodies to express the lines and shapes they see. Sculptures that inspired the performance are by Luc Fiedler, Michael Judd, Michael Winger and Homer Yost. The show includes site-specific choreography from EDC Artistic Director Andie Ligon, and works by Sandra Atkinson and Kristie Genovese.

It is sure to be a wonderful, unique evening of art and dance combined! We hope to see you there!

Frederick's First Saturday Open Rehearsal & FREE Dance Classes

Our popular open rehearsal and free dance classes are back during downtown Frederick's First Saturday celebration on Saturday, October 1 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at The Cultural Arts Center. We'll host a children's dance class from 6:00-6:30pm and an adult dance class from 7-8:30pm. Plus, don't miss open rehearsals, including a sneak preview of our spectacular 10-year anniversary season throughout the evening (Dance Works-In-Progress and Open Rehearsals at 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30!)

It is sure to be a fantastic evening for all, and the best thing is— it's all FREE!!

Plus, when you're done visiting EDC, be sure to walk the streets of downtown Frederick for various “Into the Night” First Saturday Festivities, including an evening of Halloween fun for the family. See more details here.

First Saturday Dance Classes & Open Rehearsals

Date: Saturday, October 1

Schedule:
5:30 - 6:00 pm: Tap Rehearsal and Dance Previews
6:00 - 6:30 pm: Children's Dance Class (FREE!)
6:30- 7:00 pm: Modern Dance Rehearsal and Dance Previews
7:00- 8:30 pm: Adult Dance Class (FREE!)

Price: FREE

Location: Cultural Arts Center (located at 15 West Church Street, Frederick, MD)

EDC Announces 10th Anniversary Season Calendar

We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary season with some great performances, community outreach, and fundraising events. This year we'll be bringing back some of our popular performances including our Children's Performance and Annual Spring Concert. Don't miss our free dance sessions and open rehearsals during Frederick's First Saturdays in October and February. Plus, mark your calendars for our Children's Dance Workshop series this January!

Not to mention some of our new events, including a unique performance at Artomatic at Frederick, followed by free adult dance classes, guest performance with Jane Franklin Dance, as well as an in-studio master class and sneak preview performance!

To celebrate our 10th anniversary season, we will be revisiting works from over the past 10 years, including some favorites such as The Sleepy Dance, The Stone, Catch Breath and Falling. We are welcoming back returning dancers: Andie Lignon (Artistic Director), Pat Burns, Kimberly Dow, Madeleine Benda, Emily Bonham Owen, Jessica Fitzwater, Stephanie Peters and Jennifer Smith. And we are thrilled to announce our newest company members: Kara Durrschmidt, Kara Jenkins, Grace Gonzalez, and Krista Jenkins.

It's gonna be a great year! Be sure to check out out website for a full list of performance dates and information and we look forward to seeing you in the audience or as a dancer at one of our free classes!

So You Think You Can Dance? Join Us for Company Auditions!

Equinox Dance Company (EDC) will hold auditions for new company members on Sunday, August 21 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. at 24/7 Dance Studio, 482-A Prospect Blvd., Frederick MD. The audition will consist of a 45-minute contemporary/modern dance technique class, followed by a series of phrases from past repertoire. EDC recommends, but does not require, dancers come prepared with a short movement piece to show style and choreographic skills—please provide your own music. All auditionees must be 18 years or older.

The auditions are run by EDC artistic director, Andrea Ligon, and company members. Ligon is a DC based professional dancer and choreographer. “I look forward to meeting dancers from the community. I have an exciting year planned for EDC including more free educational shows, site specific performances in Frederick and travel.”

Auditionees should come prepared to dance, wearing proper shoes and attire, including loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. No shoes are required. It is suggested that participating dancers arrive approximately 15 minutes early.

Equinox is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that functions solely by the support of the community, including the Frederick Arts Council and 24/7 Dance Studio. Equinox Dance Company presents an annual Spring Performance at the Cultural Arts Center, as well as a Children’s Benefit Show in the winter. EDC also performs at various community events such as Frederick Festival of the Arts, Frederick’s First Saturdays and local out door sites in Frederick.

For more information visit www.equinoxdance.org , or contact Artistic Director Andrea Ligon via email at info@equinoxdance.org or by calling 240-401-7484.

It's That Time of Year Again ...

EDC's Annual Spring Concert, "Classics With A Twist" is only a week away! This year's annual show takes a closer look at familiar things. See dancers move in unexpected ways to your favorite music. Explore ways to twist cultural icons through comedy, photography and video. And reconsider moments in history.

Tickets are now available online here.

Catch the show on Friday, April 15 at 8 pm or on Saturday, April 16 at 2 & 8 pm. All performances take place at the Cultural Arts Center, located at 15 W. Patrick St in downtown Frederick, MD. Tickets are $15 for evening shows, $12 for matinees. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Can't make it to a performance? Please consider making a tax deductible donation to Equinox Dance Company to help us continue bringing dance to audiences around the area. Check out more information and make a secure online donation here.

This Past Weekend ... EDC's Children's Show

EDC's performance of The Sand Man and the Sand Witch was this past Saturday, February 26. EDC members and the fantastic participants of the 2011 Youth Dance Project had a great time performing and audience members of all ages really seemed to enjoy the show. Some audience members were kind enough to share their thoughts;

"I wanted to let you know the show was simply SPECTACULAR! You and the cast did such an incredibly awesome job - I loved every minute of watching it!

"It was an excellent experience for my daughter, Ally. I am so glad she was able to be a part of it all." - Amy Larrick

"I loved the Children Show! The story is wonderful and all the choreography, music and costumes were perfect!! I loved that you had so many children dancing ... I enjoyed seeing all of you - you look great!! " - Lee Ek

"The children's show was great. I love that you all told a story through dance - nice work. My kids really enjoyed it!" - Kristie G.

This format was a first for EDC and we are thrilled with the positive feedback! If you were able to attend, we would love to know what you thought!

EDC presents "The Sandman and the Sand Witch"

Equinox Dance Company will put a new spin on our Annual Children’s Performance with the presentation of The Sandman and the Sand Witch on Saturday February 26. We will present 2 shows, at 1pm and 4pm, at The Cultural Arts Center of Frederick. Get your tickets now online or purchase the day of the performance (limited quantities available).

This wonderful children's story, by Maryland author Ellen Cook Nibali, is illustrated through dance. Prancing sandpipers, tap dancing clams and, of course, the Great Blue Crab join the Sandman and the Sand Witch in their nighttime adventure.

The story begins when a child leaves the beach for the night and asks, “what about our sand castle? What will happen to it?” Enter the Sandman and his entourage equipped with sand shovels and buckets ready to sprinkle extra sand on any child who won’t go to sleep. But the night doesn’t go smoothly when the Sand Witch and her little sister stake their claim to the sandcastle. Sand fiddler crabs, jellyfish and other creatures choose sides in a dance battle. Finally, the Great Blue Crab leads a castle ball that ends with a fox-trot and a twist.

“The Sandman and the Sand Witch” is directed by Andrea Ligon. The show includes choreography from local artists with special guest performances by EDC’s Youth Dance Project, the YMCA Youth Ballet, and Oakdale Elementary. The performance will leave you humming along to some of your favorite songs from the 60s and fun, energetic dance numbers in colorful costumes will thrill audiences of all ages.

You won't want to miss it — a fun family friendly performance! Buy Your tickets today!

Details At A Glance:
The Sandman and the Sand Witch
Annual Children's Performance
Saturday, February 26
Performances at 1 & 4pm
Cultural Arts Center
Tickets: $5 Children (under 12); $10 Adults

Frederick's First Saturday FREE Dance Classes

On Saturday, February 5, Equinox Dance Company hosted an open rehearsal and free adult dance class during Frederick's "Fire & Ice" First Saturday Celebrations. Despite the cold, damp weather, many passer-bys stopped in at the Cultural Arts Center's Black Box Theater to watch EDC learn and rehearse a lively tap number as well as participate and/or watch our adult modern class, led by Artistic Director, Andrea Ligon. Thanks to all who stopped by and we hope to see you at our Children's Performance, The Sandman and the Sand Witch on Saturday, February 26!

February 5: Free Dance Classes & Open Rehearsal

Our popular open rehearsal and free dance classes are back during downtown Frederick's First Saturday celebration on Saturday, February 5 from 5:00 - 8:30 pm at The Cultural Arts Center. We'll host a children's dance class from 5:15-5:45pm and an adult dance class from 7-8:30pm. Plus, don't miss open rehearsals, including a sneak preview of our spectacular upcoming Children's performance, The Sandman and the Sand Witch from 6-6:45pm!

It is sure to be a fantastic evening for all, and the best thing is— it's all FREE!!

Plus, when you're done visiting EDC, be sure to walk the streets of downtown Frederick for various "Fire In Ice", February' First Saturday, events including sparkling ice sculptures, live ice carving demonstrations, an interactive ice playground, marshmallow roasting stations and more! See more details here.

We'll see ya in February!

First Saturday Dance Classes & Open Rehearsals
Date: Saturday, February 5
Times: 5:00 - 8:30 pm
Price: FREE
Location: Cultural Arts Center

PS-We apologize for the delay in posts, it was a busy past few months for EDC!