The Carnival: Getting The "Groove On" For 10 Years
Well, on Wednesday night, celebration and dance were both in the air when I had the honor of attending The Choreographer's Carnival on its 10th anniversary night.
Carnival: A Choreographer’s Ball is a monthly showcase presented at L.A.’s Key Club where dancers and choreographers are given a chance to showcase their hard work and talent in front of the dance community without the constraints of what is needed for a movie script or what is required for a concert. Total freedom of expression is allowed: dance truly becomes art in this showcase.
10 years ago, Carey Ysais, a dancer, choreographer, director and instructor, saw a need to create an event where dancers/choreographers could find a place to openly express their creativity.
“My whole idea was to give choreographers a place to express themselves freely and without restraint, Carnival is a place where they have five minutes of freedom to work completely and artistically”, says Carey.
The Dancers spend weeks to months training and planning. There is an intense emphasis on freedom of movement, costume, make-up, & music. Performances at Carnival range all the way from hip-hop to lyrical, from pop lock to ballet, even from sexual/sensual all the way to insane acrobatics.
Also celebrated Wednesday night, was the unbelievably talented Debbie Allen and her innumerable contributions to the art of dance. She was awarded with the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms. Allen was reunited with some of her old friends, proteges(Nia Pepples), and colleagues.
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