(FORT LEE, NJ) -- BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM), a non-profit professional dance theatre company, returns to New Jersey to premiere its new Out & About series program, Poetry Moves, created in honor of National Poetry Month to spotlight various modalities of poetic communication. This entertaining, family friendly program will be presented at the Fort Lee Public Library on Sunday, April 30 from 2:00pm-3:00 p.m. The event is FREE and open to the public.
BALAM, a New York City-based company, offers a new vision of contemporary dance by combining diverse cultural dance styles from around the world and time periods with Balinese theatre. This latest cross-cultural program features BALAM’s artists from Spain, Japan, Mexico and the United States: Inma Heredia, the world’s first and only flamenco stand-up comedian; Toshinori Hamada, Barbara Romero, Yumiko Niimi, artistic director Carlos Fittante, and guest percussionist Guzeli. Performers will dance in beautiful vibrantly colored traditional and fusion costumes.
The program's range of dance forms and movements from around the world will entertain the New Jersey audience. The program will present a Balinese fusion dance, Rhythm Bird, performed to live percussion; the popular Spanish Andalusian dance, Sevillanas Corraleras; the classic Japanese Noh theatre solo, Yashima; and the Romantic Ballet pas de deux, Giselle. Heredia will demonstrate her charismatic humor in the Shakespearean sonnet, My Mistress’ Eyes. She will also sing a popular Spanish song, charming the audience with her critically acclaimed “salero”, charismatic humor. An audience participation segment inspired by the Balinese Kecak, also known as the Monkey Chant, will conclude the program.
The Fort Lee Library is located at 320 Main Street in Fort Lee, NJ. The library is wheelchair accessible. Parking is available on the street and in the lot behind the library building on Hoym Street. For directions and further information, contact the Fort Lee Public Library at 201-592-3615.
Founded by choreographer and movement researcher, Islene Pinder, BALAM Dance Theatre offers a new vision of contemporary dance that is rooted in the dazzling opulence and magical aura of Balinese theatre.
The New York City-based dance/theatre company creates a unique entertainment experience that has universal appeal. Audiences of all ages and backgrounds enjoy BALAM’s innovative movement alchemy where dynamic athleticism, detailed skills, and movement techniques from around world are fused and enhanced by eclectic music, striking masks, vibrant costumes and fantasy stories.
The company educates the community about dances and cultures throughout the world. Through its Out & About Series, free and affordable performances, workshops and creative events at the grassroots level are made available for families, children, students and community residents.
PHOTOS: (TOP) Toshinori Hamada will perform a Japanese Noh Theatre movement. Photo Credit: Neil Sapienza. (BOTTOM) Inma Heredia in The Melon Peel. Photo Credit: Yi Chun-Wu
