EDC Presents: A Drop at a Time, Free Dance Concert

On Friday, January 25, audience members will connect with each unique piece in EDC's (free!) mid-winter dance concert, "A Drop at a Time."  The modern dance performance includes works from 7 different choreographers who examine the details of everyday life.  Dancers delve into rain covered streets in "An Almost Perfect Day," take a closer look at daily rituals in "Constant Routine," explore limits in "New Day" and worship water in the debut of Sandra Atkinson's exciting new work "Drinkable."  This hour-long performance includes choreography by resident choreographers: Andie de Vaulx and Amanda Migliaccio, and guest choreographers: Sandra Atkinson, Kristie Genovese, LeAnn McFadden, Gaye Meyer and Mary Tawa.

The performance will begin at 7:30pm at the The Kepler Theater at Hagerstown Community College. Tickets are free and available at the door. We hope to see you there!

Equinox Dance Company presents "Pure Exploration"

Equinox Dance Company puts a new spin on their Annual Children’s Performance with a presentation of Pure Exploration on Sunday December 9, 2012 at The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 South Carroll Street. Shows are at 1pm and 3pm and tickets are $7 for Adults and $5 for Children under 12, available at the door, the day of the performance.

Children are swept away as dancers delve into rain-covered streets. They play along as dancers embody musical instruments and even get a turn to become insects as dancers imitate entomologists. This hour-long event includes the modern, jazz and tap dance performance with audience participation and a dance workshop for all of the children who attend. Performers from EDC’s Youth Dance Project will debut their modern dance and improvisation techniques and guest artists include Elite Feet Dance Studio. Audience members will dance along from their seats and each performance includes an interactive workshop where children go "exploring" to create their own dance movements.

 Pure Exploration is directed by Andrea Ligon. The show includes choreography from guests Sandra Atkinson, Gaye Meyer, and Mary Tawa, as well as Equinox’s resident choreographers.

Delaplaine and Fancy Gala

First and foremost, thank you to all those who came out this past weekend to support our 10-year anniversary Spring Performance! A few photos of our performance are posted on facebook, and more to come here in the next week or two!

Second, if you missed our Spring Performance (or just want to see more great dancing) AND want a chance to support the local Frederick Arts community, please attend the Delaplaine and Fancy Gala this Saturday, April 28 from 6:30-11:00 pm at The Delaplaine Visual Arts Center!

The DelaPLAINe & Fancy Gala is a great way to support the arts. The event features fabulous food, awesome entertainment, and an open bar all evening. Continuous musical performances from award-winning bluegrass to heart-thumping dance numbers will keep you entertained throughout the evening. And, of course, some guest performances by members of Equinox will be there too! This year’s silent auction features stunning works of art by Beth Carey, Colleen Clapp, Ed Ramsburg, Gary Schlappal, and Robert Sibbison. All proceeds support programming at the Delaplaine.

Both plain or fancy attire encouraged! Tickets are available via The Delaplaine. We hope to see you there!

Featured on Frederick.com!

That's right...we're famous! We are currently featured on Frederick.com and FrederickNews.com! Check out the promo video for our 10-year Anniversary Performance this weekend! Special thanks to Craig Shipp for the video and photos!



Looking for something fun, cultural and artsy to do this weekend? Join us Friday, April 20 or Saturday, April 21 for our 8pm evening shows or on Saturday, April 21 for our 2pm Matinee show! We are offering special discounted pricing for our matinee performance, so bring the whole family! Tickets and more information are available online!

We hope to see you there!

It's Our Birthday! Celebrating 10 Years of Dance!

To celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we're excited to present our annual spring concert, "Equinox X" on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Frederick. Performance times are at 8 pm with a 2 pm matinee on Saturday (doors open 30 minutes prior to each show). Evening tickets are $15 and matinee tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 12. All tickets are general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at www.equinoxdance.org.

The spring show will include favorite pieces from past seasons, showcasing past and present choreographers. Dances include choreography from EDC resident choreographers Pat Burns, Kimberly Dow, Madeline Benda and Andie Ligon as well as guest choreography from Sandra Atkinson, Kristie Genovese, Mary Tawa, LeAnne McFadden, Gina Korrell and Kara Sicilia. Equinox X will also bring together past and present company members as well as community members in a special dance called Passages, choreographed by Eileen Schwartz.

We are so excited to be celebrating our 10-year anniversary and hope you'll be able to join us April 20 & 21!

Inspired: Art Goes Around, Art Comes Around Annual Children's Performance

Equinox Dance Company puts a new spin on our Annual Children’s Performance with the presentation of Inspired: Art Goes Around, Art Comes Around on Saturday February 25, 2012 at The Cultural Arts Center in Frederick (located at 15 W. Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701). Shows are at 1pm and 4pm and tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Children under 12, available at www.equinoxdance.org or the day of the performance.

This year's performance will include a series of dances inspired by visual art, music, movies and the art of daily life. EDC dancers will dance amongst the sculptures of local artists. Other dances will use multimedia, video and photos. Performers from EDC’s Youth Dance Project will debut their modern dance and improvisation techniques with a special guest performance. Additional guest artists include Oakdale Elementary’s Dance Club. Audience members will dance along from their seats and each performance will be followed by an interactive workshop where children can create their own art and dance movements.

Inspired: Art Goes Around, Art Comes Around is directed by Andrea Ligon. The show includes choreography from guests Leanne McFadden, Sandra Atkinson, Kara Sicillia and Kristie Genovese, as well as Equinox’s resident choreographers, Pat Burns and Kimberly Dow.  

We hope to see you there!

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.

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!

Artisans Market this Weekend!

Equinox is very excited for our upcoming In-Home Artisan's Market on Saturday, November 20th from 1-5pm! The Market will feature unique, hand-made gifts from some of our finest local (and not so local) artists and crafters, plus attendees will have a chance to listen to soothing acoustic music and enjoy seated massages (on a first come, first serve basis, additional fees will apply).

Artists will include:
Character Bags by Chrissy Moore
Love & Kindness Natural Soaps and Candles
Modern Day Cowgirl by Leianne Klein
Turtle Jewelry by Leslie Moore
AnneChristine Designs
Naha Fine Art Photography
Marney & Swa Designs
Little City Style
Talisman, Amulet, Mandala
Lou+Sara Custom Magnets

Seated Massages by Patricia Burns and A Time to Unwind Massage Therapy Studio

Details:
What: EDC's In-Home Artisan's Market
When: Saturday, November 20 (Market open from 1-5pm)
Where: 8311 Edgewood Church Rd., Frederick MD 21702: View Map (one of our own dancers has volunteered to host this event and has opened up her home to all attendees...brave!)

We hope you can join us!

EDC's First Annual In-Home Artisan's Market

Equinox Dance Company is pleased to host our first-ever Annual In-Home Artisan's Market on Saturday, November 20 from 1-5pm! We've gathered some of the Frederick-area's most talented artisans and crafters for a cozy and quaint one-stop shopping experience. Start your holiday shopping with unique hand-crafted items while helping to raise funds for our nonprofit arts organization. It doesn’t get any better!

Grab your girlfriends 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, scarves, knit hats, totes, purses, photography, mixed media, candles, bath & body products,and more. Plus, seated massages, live acoustic music, free light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will also be available for all attendees. Partial proceeds from all sales will go to Equinox Dance Company.

Details:
What: EDC's In-Home Artisan's Market
When: Saturday, November 20 (Market open from 1-5pm)
Where: 8311 Edgewood Church Rd., Frederick MD 21702: View Map (one of our own dancers has volunteered to host this event and has opened up her home to all attendees...brave!)

Please join us on November 20 and bring your friends! Plus, stay tuned to this blog for more information on the Artisans/Crafters who will be featured at our event!

Think You Can Dance? Company Auditions & Free Dance Classes

Equinox Dance Company (EDC) will hold auditions for new company members on Sunday, August 8 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. at The Cultural Arts Center, located at 15 West Patrick St. in Frederick MD. Prior to the auditions, the company will host free modern dance classes at the same location on Saturday, August 7 for both children and adults. The children’s class, for ages 7 and up, will take place from 5-5:45pm and the adult class will take place from 6-7:30 pm. All classes will include modern dance technique, all levels welcome.

The free dance class if offered by EDC’s artistic director, Andrea Ligon. Ligon is a DC based professional dancer and choreographer. “I look forward to meeting dancers from the community. We have an exciting year planned for EDC including more free educational shows, site specific performances in Frederick and more.”

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

The company auditions held on Sunday will consist of modern and jazz combinations, as well as a brief tap combination for those interested. 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.

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.