At F.C. Tucker we talk a lot about “paying our civic rent,” so for the month of November, we would like to express our gratitude to the many organizations and individuals who serve their communities tirelessly and make Indiana a better place to live and work. We obviously can’t highlight everyone, but we would like to salute these 30 organizations that are making a difference.
30 Days of Thanksgiving – Day 20: Dance Kaleidoscope
Dance Kaleidoscope (DK) is one of Indy’s hidden gems. For those who are regulars to DK performances, the company is a treasured friend; to those who see a show for the first time, DK is a beautiful, moving experience.
Seeing a DK performance is energizing. Even though it’s the dancers who perform the amazingly athletic dances, audiences tend to leave the theater feeling pumped up physically and emotionally. Each show moves the audience. The company performs primarily at Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT), 140 W. Washington St., Downtown Indy.
DK’s next show is A World of Christmas, November 30 through December 10 at IRT. From a quirky Sugar Plum Fairy, to Elvis Presley Christmas songs, to stunningly ethereal dance set to Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols,” A World of Christmas will take you to happy places in your heart. Learn more about the show at http://dancekal.org/features/concerts/a-world-of-christmas
DK is a professional contemporary dance company with fifteen dancers. What does that mean? First, the DK dancers are paid and this is their full-time job. They have class and rehearsals Monday through Friday, then they perform with the company several weekends throughout the year. The style of dance they perform is “contemporary,” using Martha Graham technique—you won’t see anyone in pointe shoes in a DK show like in classical ballet. DK dancers perform barefoot in most dances, and the steps they do are more “earthy” than ballet. The music they perform to ranges from The Beatles, to Adele, to classical music, giving each performance during the season a totally different feeling. Your experiences in the audience will be just as varied!
Guest choreographers from all over the U.S. create dances for the company, as does DK Artistic Director David Hochoy. That gives a real diversity to what you’ll see.
DK has a strong education outreach program and offers classes for small children (DK Kids) and adults. Children’s classes range from Try It! (basic movement for younger kids) to early levels of ballet and jazz dance. For adults, DK currently offers Yoga, Ballet and Jazz. Learn more at http://dancekal.org/ DK also offers programs that are taken out to Indianapolis schools, helping to introduce children to dance.
Leading Dance Kaleidoscope is Artistic Director David Hochoy. Now celebrating his 27th season with DK, David is truly an international ambassador. David was born in Trinidad, West Indies. After receiving a B. Sc. at McGill University in Montreal, where he began studying for a career as a doctor, he continued his graduate work in theatre earning an M.A. in directing from Penn State. It was there, at age 20, David took his first dance class and discovered his true love of dance. Read David’s full bio at http://dancekal.org/learn-engage/company/artistic-staff/121-david-hochoy
F.C. Tucker Company’s own Jim Anthony is Dance Kaleidoscope’s current Board President, so DK has close links with (and a personal passion for) the company.
Learn more about Dance Kaleidoscope at http://dancekal.org/ and then go experience a performance. You’ll be glad you did.
