Groups listed in alphabetical order | Aerial Arts Society | Amira Bellydance | Attitude | Badmaash | Ballet Club | Ballroom Dance Club and Team | Brown Breaking | DAEBAK | Dance Ensemble | Dance Extension | DCA | Divine Rhythm | Fusion | IMPULSE | Lion Dance | MEZCLA | New Works/World Traditions | OJA | The Poler Bears | Salsa Club + Alma Salsera Salsa Team | Swing Club | What's On Tap
AERIAL ARTS SOCIETYBrown Aerial Arts Society offers training in various circus arts, primarily trapeze, lyra, fabric, rope, and partner acrobatics. Classes also incorporate strength and flexibility work and are taught by a team of aerialists with extensive experience in performance, choreography, and instruction. The curriculum encompasses material appropriate for beginners, and returning students; no experience necessary! We hold a showcase in December to give everyone a taste of performing and to get them thinking about choreography. We also have a spring show in April in Alumnae Hall!
Time Commitment: 2-6 hours per week How to Get Involved: Send an email to the group! Contact: [email protected] BADMAASHBrown Badmaash Dance Company is a recognizable name to students and faculty at Brown as well as at numerous other campuses across America. As a South Asian fusion dance team, we continue to focus on spreading our talent throughout the many faces of dance, both South Asian and Western. Bhangra, hiphop, garba/raas, lyrical, South Asian classical, salsa, Bollywood - you name the dancestyle, and we have someone working on tying it into our next performance. In the years to come, we hope to continue our progression towards becoming one of the nation's elite South Asian fusion dance teams.
Time Commitment: This is dictated by the individual and is a matter of personal choice. Members of Badmaash choose their level of involvement, with the minimum being about 2 hours a week. Every year/semester, Badmaash holds internal auditions for its members to decide who will represent the university at national competitions and who will participate actively in local performances. Competition members tend to put in longer practice hours. Both sections work in unity and are equally fun! How To Get Involved: Auditions are held every semester to welcome new enthusiastic members to the troupe. For further details, send us an email. Contact: [email protected] Website: http://students.brown.edu/badmaash/ BROWN BREAKINGGround Breakin' represents the true-to-its-roots Hip Hop community at Brown University. Beginners are more than welcome; no experience needed. We host workshops and practice sessions in b-boying/b-girling (break dance), popping, and more, with emphasis on the development of each member's unique style. Training in freestyle, we focus on growing original concepts, finding our own ways to "flow", and harnessing the power of our spontaneity by discovering what it truly means to "have fun" while we dance. Ground Breakin' is tightly linked with the greater Rhode Island dance community via partnership with the not-for-profit organization Project 401, and seeks to make a positive social and cultural impact in local and global communities through Hip Hop. We perform choreographed routines and collaborative shows with other groups on campus, invite world-renowned artists for special events and workshops, and host our own community outreach dance events each semester (from street shows to competitions). Come get down with us!
Time Commitment: 0-6 hours per week How to Get Involved: No auditions necessary! Brown students session Sunday 10p-12a in Nelson 2, Monday 8-10p TF Green 205, and Tuesday 10p-12a in Nelson 2. Brown & open community sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-6 pm in TF Green 205 and Friday 10pm-midnight in Ashamu Dance Studio. Contact: ~ about community sessions: [email protected] ~ about performance group: [email protected] Website:http://facebook.com/browngroundbreakin DANCE EXTENSIONCelebrating its 35th season, DANCE EXTENSION is Brown's oldest dance company. Founded and directed by Julie A. Strandberg, Extension is grounded in the conviction that the training of dancers must include the opportunity to perform, teach, and revisit masterworks. Dancers in the company have the chance to create their own work for the Fall Dance Concert and other Independent venues throughout the year. Extension dancers also have the opportunity, rare in the academy, to work with some of the world's most revered choreographers and exciting contemporary innovators. The company has performed classic pieces by Talley Beatty, Danny Buraczeski, Merce Cunningham, Eve Gentry, Martha Graham, Danny Grossman, Jose Limon, Donald McKayle, Carla Maxwell, Lorry May, Pilobolus, Paul Taylor, and Charles Weidman, as well as contemporary works by Ruth Andrien, Robert Battle, Laura Bennett (Brown ’92), Emily Beattie, Colin Connor, Danielle Davidson, Carolyn Dorfman, Jessica Gaynor (Brown ‘00), Donna Jewell, Anne-Alex Packard, David Parsons, Lisa Race, Billy Siegenfeld (Brown '70), Troika Ranch, and Amy Spencer & Steve Colton. Extension also welcomes emerging Brown student choreographers and recent alumni. Additionally, the group partners with American Dance Legacy Initiative to connect student dancers and the general public with participatory dance experiences and the works of international dance masters. Extension is a uniquely intimate, exciting and collaborative place for Brown's modern dancers! Though not required for participation in the company, interested dancers may take Extension for ½ credit per semester. Both semesters must be taken to receive one class credit.
Time Commitment: ~8 hrs/week How To Get Involved: Auditions are held once a year in the fall. Contact: [email protected] or [email protected] Dancers/ Choreographers AllianceThe College Hill Dancers/Choreographers Alliance (DCA) is dedicated to bringing together independent dancers and choreographers within the Brown/RISD community to produce new and innovative movement-based performance art. Began in 2017 as a collaborative effort between independent choreographers and the TAPS department at Brown, the group is always open to new members without audition.
Time Commitment: members are only expected to attend rehearsals for the individual pieces they are a part of. We also periodically offer open workshops and jam sessions. How To Get Involved: An open retreat is held at the beginning of each semester. We are also always looking to collaborative with visual artists, set designers, costume designers, and more! Contact: [email protected]; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCAcollegehill/ IMPULSEimPulse Dance Company was founded on February 12, 2004 by Nefertiti Jaquez and Rishi Sanyal to provide another outlet for dance at Brown University. Auditions were held and a company of 11 dancers from the Brown and RISD dance community created the very first imPulse Dance Company. Originally, imPulse did not specialize in any particular dance style, but with time, we discovered that our company’s passion was hip hop. This is now our focus, but not our only strength; although we are hip hop focused, we are not hip hop confined. Our dancers are versatile, whether experienced or not. We welcome anyone, of any experience level, who has a passion for dance.imPulse Dance Company was established with certain principles in mind. Training, discipline, innovation, and personal growth are the goals of each dancer, and the company as a whole. Each member is encouraged to train individually, and bring original choreography before the group. Every dancer has a different perspective, a distinctive style, and something valuable to contribute. As a company, we will expand upon our creative and technical abilities, so that each successive generation of imPulse Dance Company will improve upon those that came before them. We foster an environment conducive to creativity, strength, and unity. Although the company is led by two elected “co-directors,” and an elected board, this is not a hierarchical relationship. In 2003, our founders wrote: “Founded and based on the idea that the Brown Dance Community would progress and evolve one day—along came (an) imPulse…” That time has come, and the Brown Dance Community has changed dramatically. From this time forward, imPulse will not only foster the training and growth of its own members, but maintain strong ties within the dance community, both at Brown and the Rhode Island dance community at large.
“This is an outlet for passionate dancers to express themselves artistically through dance…”- Nefertiti Jaquez and Rishi Sanyal Time Commitment: IMPULSE rehearses for 3-8 hours per week Mon, Thurs, Sat and Sun, depending on how many pieces you sign up for. We produce an annual show in March, and accept 4-5 invitations for smaller performances around campus and the Providence area each semester. How To Get Involved: We strongly encourage interested dancers to attend our free! workshops with choreographers from the local hip-hop community and beyond, held on Sundays 12-3pm in TF Green 205. Contact: [email protected] Website: Facebook + Youtube |
AMIRA BELLYDANCERaqs sharqi, better known as belly dance in the Western World, is the term for a dance style originating in the Middle East and other Arab-influenced areas. It includes an array of movements and music originating from various regions and cultures, including Spanish gypsies, North African tribes, and Indian dancers. At present, belly dancing has expanded worldwide and has greatly influenced dance styles of the Western world. It is our mission to bring belly dance to the Brown community.
Time Commitment: We have practice three times a week for up to two hours each time, depending on upcoming shows. How To Get Involved: Auditions held at the start of each semester. Contact: amira.bellydance.brown @gmail.com Ballet Club
The Brown Ballet Club aims to invigorate student interest in one of the oldest Western dance styles of today – ballet. We aim to improve members’ dance technique and performance skills with rigorous weekly training and engagement in campus dance performances/shows. Furthermore, we are interested in building a community support group for ballet dancers on campus as well as promote an appreciative culture around ballet on campus.
Practices: Intermediate/Advanced - Saturday, September 19 8am-10am in TF Green 114 and 10am-12pm in Nelson Studio 2 Beginners - Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 2-6pm in Nelson Studio 2 DAEBAKDAEBAK, or the Brown Kpop Dance Association, is a new non-audition performance ensemble featuring covers of popular Korean Pop dances as well as original choreography. We welcome anyone with an interest in Asian pop music and dance to come to our rehearsals- no experience necessary, bring a friend!
Time Commitment: Between 2-6 hours a week is expected of those interested int eaching/performing for the duration of preparation for a performance, but we also welcome those who want to learn without performing. For more information about upcoming songs and our rehearsal schedule, shoot us an email! Contact: [email protected] DIVINE RHYTHMDivine Rhythm is a performance arts group that incorporates, step, a tradition that involves the clapping of one's hands and feet to create sound. Truly Divine Rhythm acknowledges the past traditions of the origin of step while giving it a contemporary flair. Our steps are unique, intricate, and of course, divine!
Time Commitment: Mondays & Wednesdays 10-12 a.m. (Don't worry, we have lots of fun!!!) How To Get Involved: The first 2-3 weeks of rehearsals are open practices so people are more than welcome to join (Monday and Wednesday, 10pm-12am in Ashamu). For any questions, email [email protected]. For more information, follow us on Facebook (Divine Rhythm - Brown University Step Team), or email [email protected]. Contact: [email protected] LION DANCEBrown Lion Dance is a student group devoted to the practice and performance of Chinese Lion Dance. Since 1996, we have brought this exciting mix of martial arts and dance to celebrations and occasions of all kinds, both at Brown and in the wider Providence area. Lion dance has been a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years dating back to the Han Dynasty (205 B.C. to 220 A.D.) where it was primarily performed during religious festivals. Today, Lion dances are held on the eve of every Chinese New Year to frighten the evil away and bring luck and happiness to the coming year. We welcome all students to join us, and absolutely no experience is necessary.
Time Commitment: One three-hour practice per week. We normally have performances on Fridays or Saturdays, which take up a couple of hours. How To Get Involved: Practices are from 7 to 10 pm on Mondays in T.F. Green 205. Contacts: [email protected] Website: http://www.brown.edu/Students/Liondance/ NEW WORKS/WORLD TRADITIONSNEW WORKS/WORLD TRADITIONS is a transnational company of dancers, musicians, actors, and visual artists who develop new work for the concert stage, perform on tour to local, regional and international venues, and work as teaching artists in- the- schools. As a fully accredited course, TAPS 1370, NW/WT incorporates a “Total Theatre” approach by seamlessly fusing diverse embodied practices including West African Dance, Modern Dance techniques, Contact Improvisation, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Martial Arts, Aerials, Puppetry, and Spoken Word Poetry. Members of New Works have performed with world- renowned choreographers Gaoyan Jinzi from The Beijing Modern Dance Company, Brian Reeder from American Ballet Theatre, Lacina Coulibaly from Troupe Konga Ba Teria, Salimata Soumare from Troupe Kelete, and B-Boy Crew, Project 401. New Works is composed of Brown faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and professional artists from around the world.
Time Commitment: Rehearsal Tuesday and Thursday evenings with selected weekend rehearsals near performances. How To Get Involved: New Works holds auditions in the fall. Contact: [email protected] Website: www.brown.edu/Departments/Theatre_Speech_Dance/about/newworks.html The POLER BEARSWhile the Poler Bears are proud to bring pole dancing to the Ivy League, we appreciate and acknowledge that pole dancing has deeper roots. Around the world, the art of vertical dance has been developed by various cultures and classes. By partaking in this art form, we aim to learn about its beauty and range as a medium for self-expression. Through our collaborative performances, we work to facilitate the destigmatization and appreciation of the artforms of pole dancing and associated ones, such as stripping, within our community.
We strive to include a diverse group of students to foster each member’s exploration of their own personal style and their unique, powerful body. We do not categorize our pole dancing as only athletic or only sexy: It is both and more. This club is a family built on love and confidence. We perform in multiple contexts and venues, always aiming to share the beauty of pole dancing with both the Brown community and the Providence community." Time Commitment: Members practice about 6 hours per week in the studio. We also participate in several fundraisers and workshops, and we host at least one major show per semester. Tech weeks require more time! How to Get Involved: The Poler Bears hold auditions in the fall of each year. However, it is never too late to get involved! Poler Bears workshops run at once a semester and anyone can come. If you’re thinking of auditioning, taking a workshop is a great way try it out. Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brown-University-Poler-Bears/164376823587460?fref=ts WHAT's ON TAPWhat's On Tap? is Brown's best and only tap dance group. We are entirely student-choreographed, and perform all styles of tap, from rhythm to Broadway. In addition to performances on campus, we aim to spread tap in the dance community by holding workshops, inviting guest teachers, and collaborating with other groups.
Time Commitment: We have full company rehearsals every Monday from 10pm-midnight. Additional rehearsal time can range from 2-8 hours weekly, depending on how many pieces you choose to perform in each semester. How To Get Involved: Auditions will be held once each semester.We perform at various dance showcases throughout the year, leading up to our very own all-tap showcase in the spring, usually the first weekend of reading period. Contact: [email protected] Website: https://www.facebook.com/BrownTap/ |
ATTITUDEAttitude Dance Company was founded in 2004 as a multi-style group where dancers of all backgrounds can come together to learn, grow and celebrate our love of movement. We are entirely self-choreographed and perform in many genres including jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, musical theater, and other culturally influenced styles. We love most to entertain and perform, so come check us out!
Time Commitment: Attitude rehearses 3 times a week for a total of 8 hours. We organize one major show each semester: the Movement Charity Dance Showcase in the fall and our own end-of-the-year annual show in April. How To Get Involved: Attitude holds auditions once each semester, in September and in February. Contacts: [email protected] Website: www.youtube.com/attitudedanceco AbhinayaAbhinaya is a brand new South Asian dance group at Brown which focuses on classical styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathak. Members of Abhinaya are involved in choreography, solo performances, or group performances (or sometimes all three!). We love to perform at events such as the annual SASA Culture Show on campus so that we can bring our excitement about classical Indian dance to the Brown community. This year and onwards, we hope to have our own annual showcase in addition to our performances at events on campus!
Time Commitment: 2 hours/week; around 5 hours/week during show rehearsals How to Get Involved: Auditions held at the start of each semester (send us an email for more info!) Contact: [email protected] BROWN BALLROOM Dance Club + TeamBrown Ballroom is the Umbrella Organization for competitive and social ballroom dancing at Brown University. It comprises of two groups: Brown Ballroom Dance Team, and its sister organization, Brown Ballroom Dance Club. BBDT is trained in dances in both International and American ballroom styles, or roughly 19 dances total. It also competes at the intercollegiate level throughout the year. BBDC learns roughly 10 of these dances and does not compete.
Time Commitment: Time commitment varies from person to person, but a team member should expect to attend two hours of lessons and at least one hour of practice a week. There is also plenty of available space to practice more if desired. A club member can expect to attend one hour of lessons per week with an optional one hour practice. Because team members represent Brown at competitions, there is greater expectation from team members to regularly attend classes and practice. How To Get Involved: No auditions, partner, coordination, or experience necessary to join! Watch for tableslips and Morning Mail advertising the first club class in September. Beginner classes are held Sundays at 3 pm in Sayles Auditorium, beginning on Sunday, September 13th, 2015. Contact: For any questions about either group, email [email protected]. Website: http://students.brown.edu/ballroom-dance-team/ DANCE ENSEMBLE
The Brown Dance Ensemble brings together independent dancers on a project-by-project basis to work with visiting guest choreographers. The Ensemble has performed works by Carol Abizaid (Brown ’84), Gwiyoung Bae, Talley Beatty, Merce Cunningham, Chris Elam (Brown ‘98), Jose Limon, Liz Lerman, and Yin Mei, to name a few.
How To Get Involved: Auditions are throughout the year depending on the project. Watch for announcements! Contact:[email protected] FUSION DANCE CO.Fusion Dance Company was founded in 1983 by student Paula Franklin who felt that there was a need for more student choreography on campus. As Brown's oldest student-run dance company, Fusion tries to uphold this tradition by providing a space for all types of dancers and movers to create and perform original works of choreography. Past years have showcased Contemporary, Hip Hop. Modern, Jazz, and Tap, among many other styles!
Time Commitment: Fusion rehearses on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the year and holds an annual show in late February or early March. How To Get Involved: Auditions are held once per semester, in September and April. Contact: [email protected] Website: https://www.youtube.com/fusiondancebrown MEZCLAMEZCLA is Brown’s Latino Performing Arts Troupe. Every semester we work hard to prepare and exhibit a cultural show to the Brown/Providence community performing everything from salsa and merengue to samba, bachata, banda, folklorico, hip hop and everything in between. MEZCLA is always looking for new and exciting ways of entertainting the audience. Through our dance, theater, music, art and poetry we strive to convey, and at the same time teach the beauty, diversity, and richness of the Latino culture to the Brown community at large. This is what has made MEZCLA one of the prominent performing troupes at Brown.
Time Commitment: Depending on how many pieces a member is in, indicates the time commitment. Usually, being in one dance piece requires about 4-6 hours of practice a week. How To Get Involved: MEZCLA holds auditions at the beginning of each semester. Although MEZCLA is a Latino performing arts troupe, it does not discriminate on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, or sexuality. Once in the troupe, members try out for specific dances that are to be presented in the show at the end of the semester.MEZCLA is always looking for new ideas and talent. All are welcome to audition! Contact: [email protected] Website: www.brown.edu/Students/Mezcla SWING CLUBThe Brown Swing Club offers free lessons open to the community every week! No experience needed, in fact, almost all of us started dancing here at Brown! So try something new, take a break from everything else - and look good doing it as well! Lessons are every Monday and Thursday evenings. Beginner and intermediate lessons are offered. We also host great dances with live music each semester! So keep an eye out and try something new!
Time Commitment: Come when you can! Even if you miss a few lessons we have instructors who can catch you up! Monday: 8:00-9:00PM Intermediate Lesson; 9:00-10:00PM Beginner Lesson. Thursday: 8:00-9:00PM Jazzing it Up: Swing Solo Jazz and Technique; 9:00-10:00PM Swing Swag: Styling and Variations How To Get Involved: Come to lessons! We also orchestrate a large social dance every semester, so keep an eye out for All That Jazz in the fall and Zoot Suit Ball in the spring. You can also contact Swing Club President Kirsten Bredvik for more information. Contact: For more information or to contact us, please visit our website or BearSync page, below. To receive our weekly newsletter during the school year, email [email protected] or [email protected]. Website: Bear Sync: https://orgsync.com/102041/chapter Website: http://students.brown.edu/swing/ SALSA CLUB +
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