Contemporary Dance: Robin Dunn and Friends, The Lite and LayeRhythm
Major dance companies and rising stars perform over four evenings of Contemporary Dance in June curated by Tiffany Rea-Fisher.
The series opens with a celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop and features performances by Robin Dunn and Friends as well as Harlem-based crew The Lite performing live with LayeRhythm.
Program:
Robin Dunn and Friends
Afro'Dance New York
Choreography: Angel Kaba, Shari Piontowskie, and Jevon Goldson
Music: Various Artists
Dancers: Mila Abauzit, Derek Ang, Régine Bellinger, Teyannah Cook, Aïcha Forbes-Diaby, Dana Foster, Andre Howell, Masayo Kado, Saskia Laurié, Jano Libres, Alanyce Molinar, Christopher Palacio, Shari Piontkowskie, Valerie Shepherd, Babacar Top, Samara Walker
Louise
Choreographer and Dancer: Caleb Smith
Music: Various Artists
Brickhouse NYC
Choreography: Kelly Peters and Brandon Trent
Music: Master Mix
Dancers: Genex Crew of Brickhouse NYC: Jacob Acevedo, Gabriella Agosto, McKinley Alston, Isabella Castano, Melody Cauley, Jada Coleman, Haile Desir, Zion Hurtado, Tamia James, Frida Kasimis, Sofia Montesinos, Krystalee Morales, Sophie Munzer, Simone Oduola, Mileny Ortiz, Tamia Sue, Katherina Wiscovitch, Mia Zaharov, Nicholas Zapata
GhettoMade
Choreography: Steffan "Mr. Wiggles" Clemente, Freestyle by Noahlot Gotit
Music: Mr. Wiggles Mix
Dancer: Noahlot Gotit
Sentimentally Hip Hop
Choreography: Buddah Stretch
Music: Buddah Stretch Mix
Dancers: Ekaterina Ageenko, Jonathan Amable, Imani Arrington, Gyeon Jeong, Daniel Holloway, Valerie Kosnevich, Kyungo Kim, Sun Kim, Khalifa Pharms, Yiran Shu, Yuko Tanaka
Dance Captains: Yuko Tanaka and Sun Kim
Robin describes Hip Hop dance as “the visual language of the streets, the movement response to rap music. It’s no nonsense, it’s in your face and makes you want to say WHAT!"
Creative Director, Choreographer and F.A.C.E. Coach Robin Dunn brings to you a memorable celebration of Hip Hop dance in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. Robin has worked with celebrity clients like Teen Vogue featuring Chris Brown, The Braxtons featuring Jay Z, Missy Elliot, U2 and Saturday Night Live. Robin is the former Director of Amateur Night at the world famous Apollo Theater. She and long-time friends Buddha Stretch and Mr. Wiggles made history in 1989 by being the first to introduce the art form of Hip Hop dance at New York’s Broadway Dance Center. What they have in common is their passion for Hip Hop dance and commitment to showcasing it with excellence.
The evening performance will include the creative contributions and choreography of Buddha Stretch, and Mr. Wiggles with special appearances by MOPTOP UNIVERSAL, Noahlot Gotit, Genex Crew of Brickhouse NYC under the direction of Kelly Peters, Angel Kaba/Afro’ Dance New York and dancer, teacher and choreographer Caleb Smith.
Performers (in alphabetical order)
Angel Kaba/Afro’Dance New York
Caleb Smith
Genex Crew of Brickhouse NYC
MOPTOP UNIVERSAL/(Buddha Stretch)
Noahlot Gotit/Mr. Wiggles solo “GhettoMade”
The Lite celebrates the movement, music, and heart of Harlem's Litefeet movement. Originating from dance moves popularized via social media in the early 2000's - including The Chicken Noodle Soup, The Tone Wop, and The Harlem Shake - litefeet has since evolved into a regionally unique series of steps, styles, sounds, and vernacular language representing the real in uptown contemporary hip hop art. Today, the influence of litefeet can be seen and heard in dance, rap and fashion on a worldwide scale. The Lite will showcase some of the culture's top dancers as they educate the Bryant Park audience on what it really means to "get lite."
LayeRhythm Productions highlights freestyle dance and music voices under-recognized in the traditional performing arts landscape while providing entertainment, building community, educating audiences in cultural history, preserving the legacy of street & club dance forms, transforming individuals’ relationship to music & dance and supporting emotional & social well-being. LayeRhythm is dedicated to risk-taking improvisation and interactive audience engagement through performances and events.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions.
On the lawn
Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn. Attendees can enjoy cuisine from the five boroughs with a rotating line-up of artisanal vendors curated by Hester Street Fair.
Stout NYC also offers giant pretzels, gourmet popcorn and other light bites as well as a selection of beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.
Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first-come, first-served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs.
Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere in the park except for the center lawn "blanket zone".
Find a parachute, giant Jenga, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events.
We love dogs, but dog urine can leave the lawn with bald spots. Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but please do not bring dogs on the lawn.
Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc on Twitter and Instagram for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.