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“The summer festival is a synthesis of the different arms of the company,” said Daniel Gwirtzman, Director of the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, with a wry smile. “No pun intended.”
The company’s “arms” include both performance and teaching, and will be combined at the Washington Heights Summer Musical Theater Dance Festival.
The festival, which runs July 19 to Aug. 1 at the YM & YWHA, is the first festival to be held by the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company.
While the festival may be a new development in Washington Heights, the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company is no newcomer to the Heights. It began in 1998 and has built relationships with the neighborhood throughout its existence. It has been in residence at P.S. 187 on Cabrini Boulevard for the past seven years.
Gwirtzman said he chose to hold the festival in Washington Heights for a reason.
“I think being appreciated in your backyard is important,” said Gwirtzman. “It’s where I live. It’s where I work. It’s where I create.”
In addition, Gwirtzman expects the festival to draw people from other parts of the city.
“Dance is a good calling card to get people here,” said Gwirtzman.
The festival is designed for students age 12 and up, and experienced pre-professionals and professionals ages 18 and up. It will include one-week programs, a two-week program, a free dance workshop at Fort Tryon Park (July 24, 4pm, Cloisters Lawn) and two performances of Encore (July 22, 7:30pm and Aug. 1, 3pm, both at the Y located at 54 Nagle Ave. near Broadway).
Student work will be incorporated into the company and will be showcased at the performance on the last Sunday.
Gwirtzman said he has designed the program to be equally challenging to beginners and experts. The main focus will be expanding the dancers’ palette.
Gwirtzman said that the company’s style is rooted in folk dance, and that its aim is to help dancers grow into their own eclectic styles. The company is known for its accessibility.
“Innovation is something I value. Dance can’t stay a museum. It can’t just be a library.”
For more information on the Summer Dance Festival and the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, visit: www.gwirtzmandance.org.
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