Modern and Classical Dance at Thrasher-Horne Center

The Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts is dedicated to developing and nurturing the artistic potential and growth of the students, residents and visitors of the community by offering the very best of professional theater, dance, and music performances and visual art exhibits. Dance education and dance as a performing art provide numerous benefits to students and ultimately to the communities in which they live.

“Education in the art of dance develops the knowledge and skills required to create, perform, and understand movement as a means of artistic communication. Exposure to dance history and cultures, kinesiology and anatomy, and movement theories further enriches the dance educational experience.” National Dance Education Organization

Research shows that students of dance are:

• Self-motivated, disciplined and focused in their everyday lives.
• Expressive in their communication of emotions, thoughts and feelings.
• Creative and imaginative.

In keeping with the Thrasher-Horne Center’s mission to offer the best in dance performance, two highly regarded touring productions will soon grace the main stage of the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater.

Thodos Dance Chicago presents A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, Thursday, January 28^th.

Thodos Dance Chicago was founded in 1992 by Artistic Director, Melissa Thodos, as a hub for dancers to grow, not only as performers, but as well-rounded dance artists. The company’s unique mission of inspiring expression through dance education, dance creation, and dance performance has established TDC as an original force in modern dance.

For over two decades, TDC has been performing with captivating style described as “breathtakingly athletic” and “powerfully beautiful.” The company’s dedication to the American voice in contemporary dance has established TDC as an innovative presence in the modern dance landscape. Reaching young minds through dance education is vital to the mission of Thodos Dance Chicago.

TDC will present a touring production of A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater On Thursday, January 28^th. This inspiring story ballet explores how a caring teacher helped guide a blind and deaf girl into a career as an internationally acclaimed writer and political activist.

The story is based on Anne Sullivan's autobiography and The Miracle Worker by William Gibson.  Choreographed by Melissa Thodos and Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, this performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. As part of the Dance Touring Initiative program, South Arts awarded three regional touring grants to Thrasher-Horne Center. Two of these grants were completed in 2015 with Eisenhower Dance Company in February and Koresh Dance Company in April. In January of 2016 Thrasher-Horne Center will welcome Thodos Dance Chicago with their performance of “A Light in the Dark” as the third Dance Touring Initiative grant. South Arts strengthens the South through advancing excellence in the arts, connecting the arts to key state and national policies, and nurturing a vibrant quality of life.

The following excerpts are from recent reviews.

“When young Helen is first introduced to her teacher, Anne Sullivan, she almost smothers her with gropes and touches - unmistakably the blind-and-deaf girl's only way of absorbing the world. The scene is visceral illustration of the power of dance to enlighten - not just Helen's isolation, but her feverish hunger to know and learn is telegraphed, a kinetic tribute to forbearance and curiosity… The dancing is lilting and infectious, glossed with a warm evocation of the past, an old-fashioned storytelling art not often seen in choreography today.” Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune

“We see the struggle played out between the impetuous, uncontrollable “wild” child and her patient but equally strong-willed teacher, Sullivan, who “civilizes” her by teaching her table manners and preparing her to take her place in her family and society… A particularly poignant and revelatory scene is when Keller learns and is able to articulate the word for the liquid she splashes on her face: water. In the process of discovery, the world opens up for her.  Acted, as much as danced, this work was performed with tremendous empathy.” Ginger Lane, L.A. Splash

“The larger-than-life gestural language of the choreography weaves a tale with an almost mythic tone that gives us new insight into Helen Keller’s world… The choreography renders each character as a distinct, three-dimensional personality… Bruce Wolosoff’s original score lends a once-upon-a-time melodic backdrop that evokes the gentility of late 19th-century society in the American South, yet supports the characters’ contrasting motifs with contemporary phrasing.” Lynn Colburn Shapiro, Dance Magazine

Buy tickets to Ragtime, The Musical

Moscow Festival Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty
Sunday, February 21^st, at 3:00 p.m.

Marius Petipa is widely regarded as the most influential ballet master and choreographer in ballet history. The Sleeping Beauty was the crowning jewel of his legendary career, and it is often considered the finest achievement of the Classical ballet. The ballet is based on Charles Perrault's well-known fairy tale. Tchaikovsky, one of the greatest composers of them all, wrote the music.

The story features a king and queen, fairies, a beautiful princess, a handsome prince, magical stage effects, and courtly splendor. The setting is a storybook kingdom set in the realm of the imagination. A baby princess, condemned by an evil fairy to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday, is saved by the Lilac Fairy, who declares the princess will only sleep until awakened by the kiss of a prince.

The Sleeping Beauty has been produced many times all over the world. On Sunday, February 21^st, The Moscow Festival Ballet will perform The Sleeping Beauty at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater. The Moscow Festival Ballet was founded in 1989 when Sergei Radchenko, legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, sought to create an independent new company which would bring together the highest classical elements of the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies.

This performance of The Sleeping Beauty promises to be enchanting and magical.

Buy tickets to The Sleeping Beauty

Coming Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater

Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Saturday, January 23^rd, at 8:00 p.m.

Stu Cook and Doug "Cosmo" Clifford were members of the legendary group Creedence Clearwater Revival. In 1995 they launched the Creedence Clearwater Revisited project. The band performs Creedence Clearwater Revival hits live for audiences who love that music all over the world. Although they may not have intended it, their band Creedence Clearwater Revisited has taken on a startling life of its own. Their shows are vibrant and exhilarating.

Gladius Flamenco Guitar in Thrasher-Horne Center Cabaret Theater
Sunday, January 31 at 4:00 p.m.

In an era when expertise and originality are often overlooked in lieu of fleeting flash and flare, Gladius defines innovation as a composer and mastery as an instrumentalist—perpetually pushing the boundaries of his Baroque-Ethnic-Metal fusion: on both the classical and electric guitar.

More than a fabulous performer and AWARD-WINNING composer, listeners have called Gladius a miracle in the making. The renowned guitarist has prevailed over a crippling case of nerve damage which greatly hindered the dexterity of both hands, and could have easily ended a musician's career.

Inspired by the great composers, Spanish guitar maestros, and much more, this musical mad scientist fuses the elements into a refreshing formula—evoking the Spanish spirit, yet distinctly unorthodox, mixing influences ranging from classical to rock and beyond. 

Melissa Etheridge: This is M.E. Solo
Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Melissa Etheridge has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. On February 17^th, she will take the stage at Thrasher-Horne Center to perform songs from her new album, This is M.E., as well as some of her greatest hits like "Come to My Window", "I'm The Only One", and "I Want To Come Over." Known for her iconic voice, profound lyrics, and riveting stage presence, Melissa will share personal stories about her remarkable journey through life and the inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs.

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In this article, I’ve written about the upcoming performances A Light in the Dark and The Sleeping Beauty at the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater. I’ve also noted other upcoming performances, including Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Gladius Flamenco Guitar, and Melissa Etheridge. 

Tickets for these events and others are on sale now on the Thrasher-Horne Center’s website.

The Thrasher-Horne Center is one of the nicest venues of its type in Northeast Florida. From concerts by renowned artists, to live theater, to magic and other fantastic shows, you can see it all at the Thrasher Horne-Center! 

Spread the word about one of Northeast Florida’s best kept secrets! Tell your family and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. People will appreciate learning about what they have been missing.

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