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SIDEWAYS Gets One Step Closer to Wonderland!

December 12, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

It’s show week and SIDEWAYS is getting revved up for this weekend’s performance of Once Upon A Holiday at 7 Stages Theater!
Sunday was our first full run-through with costumes and it was a great success! The dancers are really getting into the holiday spirit and are excited to share their winter adventure with all of you! Things are really coming together and we’re having a blast getting things perfect for our Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows!
Here are a few *sneak peaks* at what to expect this weekend!

Cheerful and mischievous snowmen!

One of Mrs. Claus’ reindeer getting into the holiday groove… Hawaiian style!

Blue Christmas blues!

SIDEWAYS dancers rehearsing “Wintersong” aka the Snowflake dance!

The Mad Hatter is opting for HOT CHOCOLATE instead of tea this holiday season, and has brought some friends along for the party!

Alice taking a moment to think about all her new WONDERLAND friends have taught her.

Jeremy and Mary Ann help Alice remember the true meaning of Christmas!

Gingerbread fun!

Mrs. Claus is always cheerful and bright!

Once Upon A Holiday even comes with PRESENTS!

Toy Soldiers fall in!

These penguins mean business!

Visit our website to purchase your tickets today and don’t miss out on all the fun this weekend!!!
Performances are:
Friday, December 16 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 17 @ 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 18 @ 3:00 pm

See you there!

Filed Under: 7 Stages Theater, Atlanta Georgia, Atlanta Performing Arts, Blog, Georgia Arts, Once Upon A Holiday, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

Introducing Bailey Thacher as Alice!

December 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Bailey Thacher is thirteen years old and making her second appearance as Alice in Once Upon A Holiday. The role of Alice is extremely demanding with extensive rehearsal time and very little breaks during the show. Bailey connects with the audience to bring them on the journey through Wonderland with her, each time bringing something new to the story.
We asked this very special cast member about her thoughts on the upcoming show:

What is your favorite part about being in Once Upon A Holiday?
I love having the experience of dancing with a professional company and it’s also really fun to dance with my friends and spend the holiday season with them.

What is the most fun section of the show to perform?
I would have to say the opening party scene. It’s fun being the annoying little sister.

What is the hardest thing about the role of Alice?
There are a lot of times when I am on stage but I am not really dancing – more reacting to the dancers. It’s hard to remember all that type of blocking.

If you could be another role in the show, what would it be?
I’d love to be one of the gingerbread children but of course that’s not really possible since they are so small. Their dance is so cute and I’m glad I get to do a little bit in the show!

Bailey attends Crabapple Middle School. In addition to dancing in Atlanta Rising Talent dance company at Atlanta Dance Central, Bailey is choreographing the Alice in Wonderland musical for her school. Don’t miss Bailey in action at the show next week!

Tickets available at www.sidewaysdance.org

Filed Under: 7 Stages Theater, Atlanta Georgia, Blog, Once Upon A Holiday, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

An Interview with the Grinch from Once Upon A Holiday!

November 10, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

We were fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to catch up with the Grinch after rehearsal and managed to get the DIRT on all his nasty, wasty, tangled-up, mangled-up mischief this holiday season! After all, audience members are itching to know!

So Mr. Grinch . . . What is the reason for the season?

Well . . . at first I thought it was all about presents, but now I’m beginning to think it might be cookies. I do have to admit, I love biting the heads off of all the gingerbread men and leaving the rest for old Fatso and that chipper wife of his.

Can you explain to us why you dislike Alice so much?
That’s easy. She’s joyous, happy, and is always spoiling my fun by stealing my spotlight or foiling my plans! Life is far more cruel when she is not there… and you know how I love a cruel, cruel world!

What is your favorite holiday song?
Monster Mash . . . talk about the perfect holiday toe-tapper!

What can our audiences expect from your performance this year?
This year I have devised an appalling new plan to be extra mean and steal what cheery Mrs. Claus loves the most – and it’s NOT her Mistletoe Margarita. We’ll see if sweet little Alice can stop this one!

When you are not stomping around in Wonderland, what do you enjoy doing?
I like long walks on the beach and reading romantic novels. I’m a softy when I’m off the job! Oh wait, you aren’t going to publish that one are you??

See the Grinch in action at Once Upon A Holiday December 16-18! Tickets go on sale November 15th at www.sidewaysdance.org.

Filed Under: 7 Stages Theater, Atlanta Georgia, Blog, Dance, Grinch, Once Upon A Holiday, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

Make a Wish Gala 2011

October 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Last weekend SIDEWAYS was joined by members of Atlanta Rising Talent to perform as the opening number at the Make A Wish Foundation Gala here in Atlanta.
It was at the beautiful St. Regis hotel and the dancers performed a number from the upcoming Once Upon A Holiday show coming this December.
Here are a few snapshots from the glamorous evening!

rehearsing in the ballroom

getting ready for the performance!

before the performance

Rockin’ on top of the world!

The crowd loved it!

We were so happy to be able to perform for such a wonderful event and give everyone a taste of what’s to come in December!

Filed Under: Atlanta Performing Arts, Atlanta Rising Talent, Blog, dane, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

We’re back…

October 11, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

… and OH, how we’ve missed you!

SIDEWAYS took a break for the summer after a FANTASTIC run of Breaking Bounds at 7 Stages Theater but we are back in the studio and back in action preparing for our holiday show December 16-18. Better yet, we even have one performance under our belt this season!

SIDEWAYS joined Atlanta Dance Central’s ART company for an “illuminating” performance at the Firefly Run in Piedmont Park.
Here’s just a taste of all the fun…

stay tuned for more pictures and VIDEO from the night!

Filed Under: Atlanta Georgia, Atlanta Performing Arts, Atlanta Rising Talent, Blog, Dance, Georgia Arts, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

BECOME A MEMBER OF SIDEWAYS!

August 15, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

CALLING ALL DANCERS!!!

SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance Company is seeking trained, passionate and driven dancers for their 2011-2012 season!

The season will begin September 2011 and will run through June 2012, with major repertory concerts held in December & June. Rehearsals are held every Sunday from 2 PM to 7 PM and usually begin with a modern or ballet technique class.

*Dancers are paid for major concerts.

The audition will consist of:
Ballet Barre
Contemporary Repertory from SIDEWAYS
Improvisation
Interview
Solo Performance – Dancers should prepare a one-minute solo showcasing their strengths. (It does not need to be contemporary, modern, or ballet.)

Dancers should bring a current headshot and resume to the audition.
Registration begins at 9:30 AM.

For additional information check us out on YouTube, visit us on Facebook or email director Charlotte Foster at sidewaysdance@bellsouth.net.

We hope to see you there!

Filed Under: Atlanta Performing Arts, Blog, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

OPENING NIGHT! Let the fun begin!

June 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

IT’S OPENING NIGHT!!!

The final dress rehearsal was a great success last night and we got some really enthusiastic feedback from some arts supporters who were able to get a sneak peak.
It’s positive feedback and support from people within the community that make us excited to share our passion with every member of the audience.

The dancers are ready and excited about OPENING NIGHT so let’s get to it!

There is still time to shag a ticket for tonight’s show (and for Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm) so check us out at www.sidewaysdance.org and come enjoy a wonderful performance of Breaking Bounds at 7 Stages Theater in Little Five Points.

Filed Under: 7 Stages Theater, Atlanta Performing Arts, Blog, Breaking Bounds, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

Tech Week Day 3

June 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Three down, ONE to go!

Opening night is TOMORROW and we’re so thrilled with the progress we’ve made in the theater. Last night’s 2nd act cue to cue was another great success and some of the more emotionally gripping pieces were given the finishing lighting touches and look simply fantastic!

As always… here are some more snapshots from the evening!

Sweet hippies – “Trip”

Wanting daughter/wayward mother moment in “1000 Miles”

Waiting for 1000 Miles

“King of Grey”

“Gone”

Jeremy caught watching videos of the old folks RAP choir!

Tonight we’ll have a final dress rehearsal and then tomorrow is the BIG DAY!
Can’t wait… don’t forget to purchase your tickets today!
And for a special treat, our last webisode of the season. Video creation by Mary Ann!

Filed Under: 7 Stages Theater, Atlanta Performing Arts, Blog, Breaking Bounds, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

Tech Week Day 2

June 22, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Two down, two to go!

We had another fantastic rehearsal last night at 7 Stages and, considering it was the first time we saw most of the pieces with full lights and sound, things are really looking SHOW WORTHY!

We did a Cue to Cue of Act 1 as well as a full run of Act 1.
The cue to cue allows us to walk through each piece very slowly to set the lighting changes like:
At this point we need to highlight a specific dancer.
At this time we need to brighten the entire stage.
At the fade out in the music we’ll have a complete blackout to transition to the next piece.

It’s a time consuming process but has great payoff in the end and Technical Director Mack has a great eye for what really makes the pieces come together.

Today we will do a Cue to Cue of act 2! It’s getting REALLY exciting now!

Nothing like a good stretch before Cue to Cue

Waiting to run BEING

Andrea and Sara – To Build A Home

Susanna – Being

Filed Under: 7 Stages Theater, Atlanta Performing Arts, Blog, Breaking Bounds, Sideways Contemporary Dance Company

Tech Week Day 1

June 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

One down, three to go!
We had a great rehearsal last night at 7 Stages, setting the pieces in the performance space for the first time! Although we had the privilege of bringing a few pieces to a preview performance back in January it was definitely exciting to get everything blocked out on stage.
I’ve you’ve never been to 7 Stages, it’s quite a unique space, especially because the audience is above the performers. It’s always a learning experience to transition out of rehearsals and into performances, but even more so when the dancers have to adjust their line of sight to meet the audience. But they quickly got a hang of it and all of the numbers are looking really good.
Last night we walked through each piece (there are 17 total in Breaking Bounds) with costumes specifically to look at spacing on the stage and make adjustments for entrances and exits through the wings. We’ll add the lights in tonight and tomorrow, which is always an exciting process. Although the dancers can hold their own on a blank stage, the pieces really become “complete” when you add in lights to help create a mood and enhance the message being conveyed.
Stay tuned for more tech week updates and here’s to another great SIDEWAYS rehearsal tonight!

For your “inside scoop” viewing pleasure, here are a few candid (mostly) shots from last night!