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 28th.
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 28th. 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
Moscow
Festival Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty
Sunday, February 21st, at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 21st, 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 21st, 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.
Coming
Soon to the Thrasher-Horne Center Theater
Saturday, January 23rd, 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.
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.
Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Melissa
Etheridge has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. On February 17th, 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!
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and friends about the Thrasher-Horne Center. People will appreciate learning
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