Free dance lessons at 7.30p, concert at 8p

Cajun Sounds in the Hudson Valley

‘Bons Temp Roulez…Let the good times roll!,‘ as they say in Cajun country, Louisiana. Sugarloaf Music is proud to present, direct from New Orleans’ most famous music club, Tipitina’s, The Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, winner of the Big Easy Award for Best Cajun Group and Grammy nominee for two extraordinary ’fai do do’ dance-party concerts.

Coupled with Daigrepont’s appearance for two evenings at the Pavilion of the Lycian Performing Arts Center on Kings Highway in Sugarloaf,  Friday December 4^th and Saturday, December 5^th, attendees will get free dance lessons.  Lessons begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a dance-concert at 8:00.  Tickets may be purchased at Village Music on Main Street in Warwick and Van Gelder Music, Route 17M in Monroe.  For more information and reservations, call (845) 258- JAZZ (5299).

On the heels of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Sugarloaf Music Series made a commitment to host at least one New Orleans-based artist in a series of concerts and educational workshops in the Hudson Valley and northern New Jersey. They selected the Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band. “Their appearance here was so well received by the community-at-large in 2005 and the  Warwick Valley School District, that, by popular demand, Sugarloaf Music in partnership will with Zatarain Foods wiill host their return to Warwick Middle School and Sanfordville School, both co-sponsored by their respective PTA‘s,” says Russ Layne, Executive Director of Sugarloaf Music.

Bruce Daigrepont was born in New Orleans.  His parents, from a rural Cajun farming community in Avoyelles Parish (County), Louisiana, moved to New Orleans shortly after World War II. Cajun French is their first language which is evinced in Daigrepont’s music—totally sung in French. “Gumbo and fricassee are almost always simmering on our stove,” explains the Cajun Music Hall of Fame artist. “We never get tired of those flavors.”

Bruce grew up in a family surrounded by music.  Every family gathering included singing and playing traditional Cajun music. His first instrument, at the age of five, was a guitar his father gave him. At the age of 20, after attending the annual Festival Acadians in Lafayette, Louisiana, he became inspired to play the accordion.  In less than two years, he had formed his own band, instituted Cajun music at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans and almost single-handedly popularized Cajun music, a genre exclusively heard in rural Cajun country.  In 1986, his weekly dance concerts became so popular, he was able to move his performances to New Orleans’ Tipitina’s.

Fast becoming one of Cajun music’s more popular ambassadors, he has been called upon to perform at Lincoln Center, the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Folk Festival. His most poignant annual appearances in the Canadian maritime provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick brings him back to his Acadian roots. The Acadians, of French ancestry, were expelled from Canada back in the mid-1700s.

Daigrepont has made several well-received recordings for the Rounder Recording Company.  His infectious, contemporary music “…is pure joi de vivre,” says Layne. “In less than 30 minutes, one can learn to dance Cajun and even zydeco and get a full aerobic workout.”

This concert is sponsored in part by support from New York State Council on the Arts, Zatarain’s Foods, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Target, and The Puffin Foundation.

21 November, 8 pm

Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts
CR-13/Kings Highway
Sugar Loaf, NY

Taped in April 2009 at the Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts, the Parsons Dance and The East Village Opera Company performance will air on WLIW tomorrow night.  You might also find it on WHMT Albany (it aired there on the 10th and possibly will have encore broadcasts).

Pine Bush is looking for more artists to join their arts tour.  All disciplines are welcome, for more information please contact Ellen Quimby at the Chamber.

Saturday, July 4th at 8-30pm, Bluesky Center, Ananda Ashram, 13 Sapphire Road, Monroe, NY 10950
Information: 845-782-5575/783-7514
Choreographed by Pandit S. N. Charka, Produced by the East-West School of Dance & Ananda Ashram, NY.
Performing by the leading dancers from the East-West School of Dance and the character Goddess Ganga by Bollywood actress Rinil Routh.

The theme of this production is the human struggle to bring the celestial river Ganga from heaven down to earth, for the betterment of the entire human race. The music composed by Mr. Rash Bihari Datta from India.

Pandit S.N. Charka has won many prestigious awards, and was appointed by the government of India to serve as cultural representative in Japan, Australia and the Fiji Islands. Over the last 25 years, he has presented numerous traditional dance recitals as well as dance dramas, and since 1981, he has been the director of the East-West School of Dance, New York.

July 4th
8-30pm

Bluesky Center
Ananda Ashram
13 Sapphire Road
Monroe, NY

Information: 845-782-5575/783-7514

Recently, one of the parents whose child attends BSP’s programming throughout the school year, arranged for substantial scholarship funding to ensure the SUMMER ARTS INTENSIVE’s existence this year, for youth who would like to attend the program but cannot afford to. Scholarships dollars are to be divided among the applicants on a first come, first serve basis. There are full scholarships, partial scholarships and work trades available at this point.

After running for many years, SAI was put on hiatus last year, due to financial constraints. But now registration is in full swing for the ever popular SUMMER ARTS INTENSIVE for youth in the Hudson Valley.

The Summer Program for youth through 12th grade includes comprehensive Theater Arts, DANCE (including hip hop, choreography, modern, jazz, street dance & more) Audio Recording, Digital Photography, Audio Engineering, Costuming, Vocal Training, Stage Management, Spoken Word, Technical Components and Creative Writing (for stage and song), all taught by specialists in each field.

The entire Youth Program at BSP is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Any donations to the program are tax deductible. The parent arranged for the funding on the condition that they remain anonymous. Our SUMMER INTENSIVE costs a fraction of other programs in the area but the scholarship funds made it possible for us to offer the program once again.

Four (4) 2 week sessions beginning July 6th, offer youth 10 different categories to choose from as their “components”. They rotate through six of their chosen components throughout each day. BSP runs an after school Youth Arts program with a heavy emphasis on Theater & Dance during the school year. The SUMMER INTENSIVE, however, is Monday through Friday from 9:30AM – 3:30PM, and includes 6 – 8 additional components. Regularly scheduled classes are available until 6:00PM that are not part of the SAI.

The program is unique in that each session’s final schedule is completely decided by the enrollees as they sign up for their components. It is designed to be incessant so that the participants can continue with as many sessions as they are able. Skill building is continual and no two sessions are alike. And with our newly designated New York State (17,000 sq/ft) certified sound stage, we are expecting several Movies being filmed on site simultaneously, that enrollees will be able to witness and participate in as well.

The cost is significantly discounted for additional sessions. Information can be obtained by calling 845.338.8700 or writing to info@backstagestudios.net.

College student internships are also available.

Afro-Cuban Dance Class

Come and dance to the warm rhythms of Cuba! Learn popular and folkloric dances of Cuba, including rumba, orisha and comparsa (carnival). Each class will begin with stretching exercises. Fun choreography that is a fat-burning workout! No prior dance experience necessary!

Description: In this eight-week series, participants will learn the African-derived dances of Cuba, including Orisha, Arara, Comparsa and Rumba. Some popular styes (Son and Salsa) will be taught as well .

Offered through Orange Community College, Office of Continuing and Professional Education. Classes to the be held at the Middletown Campus, Physical Education Building.

For registration, please visit SUNY Orange to register, r for more information on the instructors, visit their web site.

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009 (8 Saturdays)
Time: 11:00am-12:30pm

$75 for 5 weeks ($15/class)

Intermediate Bellydance at Brid’s Closet
5 week session
Fridays 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12
8:00 pm
$75 for 5 weeks ($15/class)

Elizabeth Muise is a visual artist and a dancer. She has been dancing for eighteen years and bellydancing for seven of those years.

Please wear comfortable clothes that you can move in! No need to show bellies (unless you want to!) and please bring water!

Contact Elizabeth with any questions.

Bellydance Workshop at Yoga Mountain New City
Saturday May 30th, 2009
1:00-3:00 pm

$30 in advance
$40 at the door

To register for the New City Workshop contact:
Tel: 845-639-0736
info@yogamountain.com

Elizabeth is also demonstrating the dance in Campbell Hall for those curious and interested.