Dance Event

"Breaking Ground 2013": Three-Day Contemporary Dance and Dance Film Festival Coming to Tempe in January

By Lauren Saria Tue., Dec. 18 2012 at 1:30 PM

Categories: Events

Photo courtesy of Conder/dance

To kick-off the New Year with an infusion of artistic flair, more than two-dozen top American choreographers and filmmakers will present their newest works at Breaking Ground 2013, CONDER/dance's annual showcase of dance and dance film work. The three-day festival, which will run from January 24 through 26, will include a student showcase at Arizona State University's Tempe campus as well as two professional programs at Tempe Center for the Arts.

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"This is our sixth year and we are seeing a real connection between the films we feature and our live dance offerings," company founder, Carley Conder says. " We adhere closely to a format emphasizing work that is not just contemporary, but also intensely, creatively innovative."

Conder says she also intends for the festival to support new choreographers and invite outside artists into the Phoenix community.

On the first night of the event students from ASU, local community colleges as well as from outside the state will present their work at ASU's Margaret Gisolo Studio Theater. The next night will feature the second set of dance works and films in a grouping titled NOW I. The evening's program includes "Vias de Vuelo," an "achingly lovely film" by Mexican filmmaker Alfredo Salomon.

The second night of the festival, NOW II, will include the premier of a 20-minute solo piece from Arizona-based dancer Ashley Leite.

The festival includes performance art, highly technical pure movement, multimedia collaborations as well as site-specific work with performances being held throughout the center. For example, some works will take place in the sculpture garden and films will be screened on the walls of the building.

"The idea is that people will be truly immersed in the work," Conder says.

Attendees will also be able to participate in two Master's classes, which will be held in Tempe and taught by visiting artists.

"[Breaking Ground] is our way to try to pull in the general public," Conder says. "We have the opportunity to bring in so many great people, it's a wonderful way to get outside influences into Arizona."

Tickets are available as a three-day pass of for each day of the event and range from $7 to $35. For more information including the complete program of performances visit the Conder/dance website.

Photo courtesy of Conder/dance