Year: 2014-2015
DanceForce Member: Elena Mosley
Artists: Isabela Del Dia, Kati Garcia-Renart, Stefanie Weber
Community Partners: Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson City Library, Hudson Opera House, Kaatsbaan International Dance Center
Audience: 451
Counties: Columbia, Dutchess
“Rhythm Feet” introduced the relationship of music and movement, highlighting similarities and differences between tap and Flamenco dance. The receiving community consisted of dancers and non-dancers who may have never experienced either of the dance forms. Flamenco artist Kati Garcia-Renart, currently on staff at the Kaatsbaan Dance Center in Dutchess County, tap artist Stefanie Weber of MA, and hip hop artist Anthony Molina shared a variety of experiences which included two history and film/lecture demonstrations, 22 classes, 1 evening concert performance and 2 informal showings. Although all Rhythm Feet activity was open to the public, special outreach was made to several new organizations: Perfect 10, a girls empowering group; Kites Nest, a creative youth initiative; and the Hudson Promise Neighborhood. New community project partner, The Hudson Area Library, hosted the Tap History and Film Lecture Demonstration. The Hudson Opera House hosted the Flamenco History and Film Lecture, as well as a series of classes. Hip hop artist Anthony Molina, an unforeseen partner in the project, was added by happenstance. There was an overlapping of projects during the beginning week of tap dance. The timing of classes and the crossover of participants led us to additional tap classes and the integration of hip hop as a natural Rhythm Feet partner at the Hudson Opera House venue. Another new partner, Kaatsbaan Dance Center, opened their dance studio for the adult Flamenco dance intensive. The reaction to performers of the Isabela del Dia company, Stefanie Weber and blues singer Robin O’Herin was exciting. Guy Apicella’ s reaction (the director of Columbia Greene Community College Performing Arts Center) was surprising to say the least. Immediately after the concert, Mr. Apicella asked to plan a return visit by all artists.

This was one of the most ambitious projects ever, because we cast the net wide to involve as many people as possible using movement, music, lecture and media.