Clinard Dance is a place for artists to grow professionally and have a positive experience with dance while connecting with the surrounding cultural community
URBAN GATEWAYS
After School Matters
Clinard Dance’s Flamenco Quartet Project works in partnership with Urban Gateways to present a program titled Flamenco: The Music of Movement. The evolution of flamenco is showcased by a solo dancer and trio of musicians who emphasize the importance of collaboration, echoing the way many cultures came together to influence the creation of this Spanish style of music and dance. This program opens with historical references to the cultural migrations that made their way to the south of Spain both influencing and contributing to what we now recognize as the flamenco art form. Audiences will hear Arabic and Balkan rhythms as well as classical turn-of- the-century pieces in order to learn what it means to draw from traditional forms as inspiration for other musical and dance genres. After showcasing the influences and traditional style of flamenco, the performers will demonstrate examples of different projects flamenco artists have explored in recent years such as hybrid forms which incorporate art forms like quawli and hip hop into their work. This will lead into some of the quartet’s originally devised and unique interpretations informed by Gypsy jazz and the larger American jazz repertoire.
In the past, our studio has offered an Apprenticeship Program which allowed students to study devoid of economic challenges. Our ensemble members led, in partnership with After School Matters, a dance program at Jane Adams High School. When professional artists go into the schools to teach all sorts of barriers break down. Some of which are: what is an artist, what it means to make art as well as gives students the confidence and skills to continue their art curiosities in formal studios and schools post their After School Matter's experience. Additionally, Clinard Dance welcomeed students into our school if the curiosity persisted after their work with After School Matters.
Clinard Dance feels that artists are a valued part of our community so we need to create live experiences for the neighborhood as well as work inside the Elementary and High Schools so that they have a first hand experience about that valuable exchange. There are very few spaces for dance studies in Pilsen so we offer free monthly performances through the 2nd Friday open studio walks to foster our belief in the power of dance, http://chicagoartsdistrict.org/. Most importantly we feel that art and culture have the ability to create real and deep meaning in a place.
As a Pilsen Dance School, we are committed to serving as a good neighbor, friend and cultural collaborator in the surrounding neighborhoods that's why we actively seek dialogs and performance opportunities with the greater Chicago; this can help to amplify the work we do.
Large and small institutions bring culture to life in a place. We are not doing this work alone and have the pleasure of sharing the vision of a dense tapestry of culture with many others throughout the city. We work with the Mexican Fine Arts Museum locally to host our school performances as well as have relationships with other fine arts organizations throughout Chicago.
CLINARD DANCE TEACHING TEAM:
