Springing Forward - Putnam County Dance Project Rescheduled to Tomorrow March 13

Putnam County Dance Project is joining with Arts on the Lake to present Springing Forward, March 13 at 5 PM. This program of spring dances includes dances choreographed by the revolutionary “mother” of modern dance, Isadora Duncan. Ducan helped free ballet from its conservative restrictions, beginning the development of expressive modern dance. The dancers will speak about the dances, helping the audience to better understand the roots of the modern dance movement. The performance also includes their own choreography.

Marie Carstens and Erin Jennings co-founded the Putnam County Dance Project, wanting to bring quality dance performances and events to Putnam country and surrounding communities. With help from the Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition and the Putnam Arts Council, PCDP has put on events such as the 2019 and 2021 Global Water Dances and other performances in studios like Dancing Dialogue and Studio Around the Corner. This marks the beginning of an artistic residency at Arts on the Lake.

Three performers, who are leading Duncan dancers, have performed around the world and studied the work extensively. They will present dances that have been handed down from generation to generation as well as pieces recreated through archival research steeped in the Duncan technique.

PCDP Co-director, Marie Carstens co-founded the Duncan Dance Collective in 1999 and choreographed in the style for the next decade. She received a Certificate in Isadora Duncan Studies from Isadora Duncan International Institute, Inc. in 1999 and continued to study and perform Duncan repertoire with leading Duncan companies. She currently performs with Dances by Isadora/NYC.

Choreographer and repertory teacher MaryBeth Hraniotis is a 3rd generation Duncan dancer, passed from Isadora to Maria-Theresa Duncan and then from Jeanne Bresciani at the Isadora Duncan International Institute founded by Maria-Theresa and Kay Bardsley. MaryBeth continues to perform and present her work in the U.S. and abroad drawing from Isadora’s great repository of dances steeped in archetype, myth and images.

Faith Kimberling danced with the well-known Lori Belilove & Isadora Duncan Dance Company from 2005-2021, performing many Duncan solo and group works in NY and around the world. For this concert, she will be performing Duncan pieces new to her.

PCDP Co-Director Erin Jennings, who performed professionally for over two decades with various well-known dance companies will also be dancing in three new modern dances created by the company. Steven Jelstch, who grew up in Kent, NY now dances professionally and returns to join PCDP for Springing Forward.

This project is made possible, in part, through the Putnam Arts Council Arts Link Grant Program with public funds provided through the NY State Council on the Arts with support from the Office of the Governor and the NY State Legislature.
The performance will be held at Arts on the Lake, 640 Route 52, Kent Lakes, NY 10512

The Program for March 12, 7 PM

Springing Forward

Dancers/Directors: Erin Jennings & Marie Carstens

Dancers: MaryBeth Hraniotis, Steven Jeltsch, Faith Kimberling

Intro by Erin & Marie

Part 1:

1. Tanagra Study

2. Call of Spring

3. Linden Tree

Faith – short descriptive talk

Part 2

Excerpts from the Brahm’s Waltzes, Many Faces of Love choreography by Isadora Duncan

· #1 The Greeting

· #2 The Lullaby

· #4 Gypsy

· #8 Seagull

· #11 Spanish Gypsy

· #13 Cymbals

· #15 Rose Petal Waltz

Intermission (Clean up of petals) – Mendelssohn - Call of spring)

Part 3 - Various Dances - Isadora Duncan

Butterfly, Butterfly Etude (Chopin)

Musette, (Gluck)

Harp, Harp Etude (Chopin)

Moment Musicaux (Schubert)

Angel & Spirit Rising, (Chopin Nocturne op 9, no 2, E flat M)

Part 4:

Short story/talk from MaryBeth

Nevin’s Water Scenes, Op. 13, 1-5, new choreography, Springing Forward, from PCDP.

1. DragonFly

2. Ophelia

3. Water-Nymphs

4. Narcissus

5. Barcarolle

Closing: Marie & Erin

Tanagra Improv with audience suggestion/participation