Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The University of North Carolina Wilmington Office of Cultural Arts will host a two-week educational and community residency with acclaimed Latin dance company, CONTRA-TIEMPO. The two-week residency will take place Sept. 20–Oct. 2, and will feature live performances, master classes, free Salsa workshops, films, lectures and an in-school artist residency at Bradley Creek Elementary School.

CONTRA-TIEMPO is a Los Angeles-based dance company fusing Salsa, Afro-Cuban, West African and Hip-Hop to create an invigorating blend of physically intense and politically astute dance-theater. During their two-week residency, members of the campus and community will have the opportunity to interact with the artists through a series of free outreach events. The residency will culminate with a performance on Saturday, Oct. 2 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium. The performance will feature three critically acclaimed works by CONTRA-TIEMPO as well as a new work by students from New Hanover County schools.

"CONTRA-TIEMPO brings to our community and campus artistry of extraordinary energy and vitality," said Norman Bemelmans, UNCW's director of Cultural Arts. "Their work will serve as a pivotal springboard for discussion, lecture, film and educational outreach, in addition to providing a unique opportunity to experience one of the nation's most talked-about contemporary dance ensembles."

One of the many free outreach events includes Salsa workshops for the public. The community will have two opportunities to take free Salsa lessons with the dancers of CONTRA-TIEMPO. "The salsa workshops should be a lot of fun," said Courtney Reilly, UNCW's assistant director of Cultural Arts and residency coordinator. "We will host one on campus at the Burney Center Ballroom and one at the Ramada Conference Center Ballroom on Market Street. The lounge at the Ramada is well-known for their Friday Salsa Nights, so we're excited to be a part of that."

The final performance will take place at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2 at UNCW's Kenan Auditorium. Tickets are $18 (general public); $15 (UNCW faculty/staff); $6 (students); and free for UNCW students will a valid ID. Tickets are available at the Kenan Auditorium Box Office Mon.–Fri. from noon to 6 p.m., 910.962.3500 or 800.732.3643. More information is available at www.uncw.edu/arts.

The CONTRA-TIEMPO residency is presented by the Office of Cultural Arts in partnership with the UNCW Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion, Centro Hispano, the Latino Alliance and Amigos International. This project is supported by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support provided by an Arts & Culture grant from Target.

CONTRA-TIEMPO RESIDENCY
Schedule of Public Events

PANEL DISCUSSION
Wednesday, September 22
The Immigrant Experience: In the Arts and in our Community
UNCW Lumina Cinema (7 – 9 p.m.) – FREE

Nicholas Faherty, of Centro Latino and Amigos International, and UNCW Artist in Residence, Ana Maria Alvarez, discuss the harsh realities facing our immigrant families and youth. Faherty shares real-life stories from his work with local businesses, families and youth, and Alvarez demonstrates how these stories and themes are explored in her work as a choreographer and teaching artist.

FILM SCREENING AND Q&A
Thursday, September 23
Which Way Home (2010 Oscar Nominee)
UNCW - Lumina Theater (7 – 9 p.m.) – FREE

The 2010 Oscar Nominee for "Best Feature Documentary", Which Way Home, portrays the personal side of immigration through the eyes of children facing harrowing dangers as they endeavor to make it to the United States. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Edelmira Segovia (Director of UNCW's Centro Hispano), Nicholas Faherty (Director of Operations, Centro Latino and Amigos International) and Ana Maria Alvarez (Artistic Director, CONTRA-TIEMPO and UNCW Artist in Residence).

SALSA WORKSHOPS
Friday, September 24
Carolina Lounge at the Ramada on Market Street (8–10 p.m.) - FREE ages 18 & up
-AND-
Tuesday, September 28
UNCW Burney Center (7–9 p.m. ) – FREE all ages

The UNCW Office of Cultural Arts, UNCW's Centro Hispano, the Latino Alliance, Amigos International host a second opportunity to enjoy an evening of free Salsa lessons! Learn about Latin American culture and the origins of Salsa and Afro-Cuban dance in a fun and interactive workshop led by Ana Maria Alvarez and Cesar Garfiaz of the acclaimed CONTRA-TIEMPO dance company. Dress comfortably. No experience necessary!

CONTRA-TIEMPO: Live Performance!
Saturday, October 2
UNCW Kenan Auditorium (8 p.m.)
Tickets: Reserved Seating $18 (general public); $15 (UNCW faculty/staff); $6 (students); and free for UNCW students will a valid ID
910.962.3500 or 800.732.3643

The UNCW Office of Cultural Arts presents CONTA-TIEMPO. Hailed as one of the top Latin dance companies in the nation, the Los Angeles-based CONTRA-TIEMPO fuses Salsa, Afro-Cuban, West African and contemporary dance-theatre to create captivating and electrifying performances! The Los Angeles Times proclaims, "…in heart, mind and soul this is the real thing!." The Saturday evening performance will include three works from the company's repertoire, the acclaimed "Against the Times", "Plastico Mundo", and a new work, "I Dream America".

More information at www.uncw.edu/arts.

Media contact:
Courtney Reilly, UNCW Office of Cultural Arts, 910.962.2082 or reillyce@uncw.edu