The 20th Annual ARTS SENSATION! A Benefit Performance for Plastic Ocean Project

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7:30 p.m. April 26, 2024

Thalian Hall Main Stage

310 Chestnut Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

Tickets are $25 general admission. Please contact the Thalian Hall Box Office at 910.632.2285 or online for ticket reservations.

The 20th Annual Arts Sensation returns to the Thalian Hall Main Stage to showcase lively and entertaining local talent for a music and dance spectacular! This year’s beneficiary is Plastic Ocean Project, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based out of Wilmington, NC, whose mission is to attain science-based solutions to the plastic pollution crisis that inspire all to make informed choices to improve human and environmental health. With a vision of a world free of plastic pollution, POP works with storytellers, artists, writers, and film-makers to communicate issues to a wider audience, conducts scientific research to learn about plastic pollution, find solutions, and educate others works to implement science-based solutions through collaborations with fellow scientists, stakeholders, businesses, and political leaders.

Musical entertainment is by singer and songwriter Ava Johnson from Wilmington, NC. She performs throughout eastern North Carolina and recently in France at several clubs on Jazz Row (Rue des Lombards) in Paris and in the Bordeaux region. Ava grew up training in voice and piano and began releasing her own music in 2018. Her influences include Nina Simone, Norah Jones, Adele, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Rufus Wainwright and Rhiannon Giddens.

Arts Sensation also brings a deluge of dance creations from the genres of tap, classical ballet, jazz, modern, cultural and contemporary, presented by local choreographers and dancers. And with their fine style, the captivating Company “T” Tap Dancers, choregraphed by Tracey Varga,  return to wow audiences with their vintage flair. A special presentation of the unique and historic Thunder Roll and Rain Machine showcases these special effects, built right into the Thalian Hall stage, that were innovative and thrilling in their time and are used in performances to this day.

Now presenting its 20th performance, Arts Sensation began in 2001, created by Tracey Varga and produced each year by Forward Motion Dance Company with the intent to bring local musicians and dance artists together to share their vast talents in a variety of genres with the Wilmington community while fundraising and bringing awareness about the great work and services local non-profits provide for humanitarian and environmental causes in the area and abroad. The first Arts Sensation was held at City Stage, and past recipients include the Food Bank of Coastal Carolina, Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Good Shepherd Center, The Full Belly Project, Indo-Jax Surf School, The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, Kids Making It, Cape Fear River Watch, WARM, and the Lower Cape Fear Hospice. We are thrilled to have Plastic Ocean Project as our benefactor for our 20th event. For more information, please visit us on Facebook or at forwardmotiondance.org.

Click here for a printable Press Release!

DANCE AUDITION for the 20th Annual ARTS SENSATION Benefit Performance

In Audition, Music and Dance Event by danceteamLeave a Comment

Saturday, March 23, 2024, 2:30 pm

at The Dance Element

7211 Ogden Business Lane

Wilmington, NC 28411

Forward Motion Dance Company’s

20th Annual ARTS SENSATION Benefit Performance

 is Friday, April 26, 2024 at 7:30 pm

at Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts Mainstage,

to benefit the Plastic Ocean Project, a local non-profit organization.

Interested dancers, choreographers of all genres (classical, jazz, hip hop, modern, tap, ballroom, cultural dance) are welcome.

 

COMPLETED WORK, INCLUDING COSTUMES, IS REQUIRED

6 minutes maximum length. Piece must be “family friendly”.

Click for Flyer to print

For more information please call (910) 232-8151

 or visit www.forwardmotiondance.org

Sunset Cocktail Party at the Penthouse for Forward Motion Dance

In Fundraiser by danceteam1 Comment

Join Forward Motion Dance at The Penthouse where the sunset views are spectacular! 

Tickets are $25 Per Person

Drink Specials, Light Hors d’oeuvres and Live Music By Billy Barwick

We invite you to enjoy an evening with us to help support our
2024 season at the Thalian Hall Main Stage,
including the 20th annual ARTS SENSATION! music and dance event with
singer and songwriter Ava Johnson and dance works from local choreographers and dancers. 

Come on up to enjoy the best views of downtown Wilmington with
your friends from Forward Motion Dance Company!

Tickets can be purchased from any Forward Motion Dance board member,
or email dance@forwardmotiondance.org —

space is limited, so be sure to reserve yours today!

Find out more about FMD and ARTS SENSATION!
at our website: www.forwardmotiondance.org

In loving memory of Jennifer Vahamikos

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Forward Motion Dance and the Wilmington dance community mourn the tragic and unexpected loss of company dancer Jenn Vahamikos on January 18, 2024. Jenn was a shining light who brought her special talents, care and dedication to every dance creation. Jenn will be forever in our hearts and missed by all who knew her. We are devastated by our loss, yet know her spirit lives on with us dancing, shining, laughing, and smiling.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Cameron Art Museum on Sunday February 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm.

Our hearts go out to Jenn’s family and friends. More on her life can be found here.
Jennifer Vahamikos
June 4, 1977 – January 18, 2024
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Cape Fear Arts in Motion: Film, Fire and Fusion

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We have a new date!! 

November 7, 2023, at 7:30 pm

Thalian Hall Main Stage

310 Chestnut Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

Tickets are $25 general admission; $22 for seniors, students, military, & children under 12, plus taxes and fees. Please contact the Thalian Hall Box Office at 910.632.2285 or online for ticket reservations.

Forward Motion Dance Company generates an electrifying dance event with their annual performance, Cape Fear Arts in Motion: Film, Fire and Fusion. This performance connects dancers, choreographers, musical and visual artists, and more to bring the art form of modern, contemporary and jazz dance to the beautiful and historic Thalian Hall main stage for a varied and collaborative event that showcases the talents of Choreographer Tracey Varga. Presented are new dance performances along with re-creations of works from the past, with a film by Patrick Ogelvie, vivid stage design by local set designer Randy Davis, live music composed by pianist Barbara Gallagher and performed with flutists Mary Gheen and Deborah Phillips, and an exciting jazz-funk piece by local guest choreographer Qaadir Hicks.

Premiering on the stage are several new works featuring Forward Motion Dance Company dancers and guest performers. Set to music by Vivaldi and Queen and performed by Croatian cellist duo 2CELLOS, nine dancers perform “Show Must Go On” with an opening duet by guest dancers Stephanie Nadeau and Wells Jackson.

In its exciting premiere, three dancers share the stage with eight-foot screens created by local set designer Randy Davis, where movement is explored with silhouettes and shadows and set to music by Andrew Bird from his 2017 album “Echolocations – River”, recorded under the Hyperion Bridge in Las Angeles.

A duet by guest artists Katie Crosby and Linda Ann Webb is danced to live music by pianist and composer Barbara Gallagher with flutists Mary Gheen and Deborah Phillips. “Festival in the Park” was originally written in 2008 for the Duke String School at Duke University and is revised for this Forward Motion Dance performance with an upbeat and playful back-and-forth feel.

New dance and film set to music by Peter Gabriel features six teen dancers from local studios DREAMS, The Dance Element, and the Southeast Dance Academy. The film is created by Patrick Ogelvie with assistant Kate Spivey.

Forward Motion Dance Company is delighted to present local guest choreographer Qaadir Hicks who has set his exciting jazz-funk piece with Forward Motion Dance company dancers Kara Abbott, Savannah Brooks, Nicole Dalier and Jenn Vahamikos.

With a progression of music and dance, “Fusion 2” returns from Arts In Motion 2022 with its high energy and music composed and performed by Joe Cordaro. Also returning is “Resolve” which premiered in 2014 also featuring original music and vocals by Joe Cordaro. Dancers explore friendships with music and poetry in “Friends Revisited” which premiered in Arts in Motion in 2022, and was featured in Dance-a-lorus (part of the Cucalorus film festival) with a film by Patrick Ogelvie. Set to music composed by Latvian composer Eriks Esenvalds with lyrics from a poem by American author Sara Teasdale (1884-1933), the poem is about remembering childhood friends in dreams and is read by Rhonda Bellamy of the Wilmington and New Hanover County Arts Council.

Forward Motion Dance Company dancers are Kara Abbott, Ashley Barnes, Savannah Brooks, Nicole Dalier, Becky Spivey, Susan Turner, and Jenn Vahamikos. Guest dancers are Amanda Brown, Katie Crosby, Wells Jackson, Cassandra McAlister, Stephanie Nadeau, Anna Reign Parker, Trilby Shier, Stephanie Stone and Linda Ann Webb. Teen dancers are Nevaeh Allen, Alexus Harris, Malonie Jean-Julien, Sa’Mya Jones, Kate Spivey and Kai Williamson.

In a show not to be missed, come be astounded by an inspired evening of music, film, and modern, contemporary and jazz dance that Cape Fear Arts in Motion brings to the beautiful and historic Thalian Hall main stage.

Forward Motion Dance Company with founder, director and choreographer Tracey Varga is a Wilmington, NC, based non-profit 501(c)(3) dance organization whose mission is to provide local and regional communities with quality modern contemporary dance and education in the art of dance, as well as enhance the local arts community by providing performance opportunities for area dancers and performance artists. FMD is an all-volunteer organization proudly supported by local, state and national grants, and community sponsors. For more information please visit our Facebook page or www.forwardmotiondance.org.

DANCE AUDITION For the 2023 annual performance of Forward Motion Dance Company

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DANCE AUDITION

For the 2023 annual performance of Cape Fear Arts in Motion, from Forward Motion Dance Company

Modern, contemporary, jazz and classical dancers to participate in dance performances at Thalian Hall Main Stage

Performances on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22, 7:30 pm

Audition is Saturday April 29, 2023

2:00 pm for teen dancers (ages 12-18)

The Dance Element of Wilmington LLC

7211 Ogden Business Lane, Suite 205

Wilmington, NC 2841

Please come prepared to move.

Any questions please call 910-232-8151 or visit www.forwardmotiondance.org

Forward Motion Dance Company is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, volunteer organization. We wish to thank all who give their valuable time, efforts and funding so we may continue to bring quality performances to the Wilmington community. Please visit us at www.forwardmotiondance.org.

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The 19th Annual ARTS SENSATION!

In Dance Event, Fundraiser, Music and Dance Event, Performance, Sponsorship by danceteamLeave a Comment

A Show you don’t want to miss!

The 19th Annual ARTS SENSATION!

A Benefit Performance for The Good Shepherd Center

7:30 p.m. April 21, 2023

Thalian Hall Main Stage

310 Chestnut Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

Tickets are $25 general admission. Please contact the Thalian Hall Box Office online or at 910.632.2285 for ticket reservations.

The 19th Annual Arts Sensation returns to the Thalian Hall Main Stage to showcase lively and entertaining local talent for a music and dance spectacular! This year’s beneficiary is the Good Shepherd Center, whose mission is to be a safety net for our neighbors in crisis by providing hot and nutritious meals, case management support, showers and restrooms, clean clothing, warm beds, an onsite medical clinic and a pathway to safe and affordable housing…all with dignity and respect.

Eduardo de Rosamaria’s Tablao Flamenco will transport you to the Andaluz region of Spain for an authentic Flamenco experience. Featuring flamenco dancer Chillona, singer Bella G. and guitarist Eduardo de Rosamaria, this amazing ensemble will perform traditional flamenco dances such as Sevillanas, Guajiras, Alegrias, Malaguenas, and Rumbas. Feel the passion and energy of a night out in Spain, right here in Wilmington!

Arts Sensation brings a variety of dance creations from the genres of tap, classical ballet, jazz, modern, cultural and contemporary, presented by local choreographers and dancers. And with their fine style, the captivating Company “T” Tap Dancers, choregraphed by Tracey Varga,  return to wow audiences with a new salsa flair. A special presentation of the unique and historic Thunder Roll and Rain Machine showcases these special effects, built right into the Thalian Hall stage, that were innovative and thrilling in their time and are used in performances to this day.

Dance presentations also include the Hi Steppers tap group, choreographed by Annette Crumpton, who won1st place in the NC Senior Games Silver Arts, on the local level as well as 1st place in the NC Senior Games State Finals, Silver Arts performing arts competition in Raleigh, September, 2022. Three classical and contemporary dance pieces by Choreographers Rachel Taylor, Rachel Sanford, and Tracey Varga with Forward Motion Dance, were recently performed at this year’s Wilmington Dance Festival.

Dreams Theatre of Wilmington is represented with 11 youth and teenage dancers, who tell a poignant story with “N’awlins”, a contemporary, jazz, and cultural dance from Choreographer Kevin Lee-Y Green. A contemporary solo by Emily Lawler is a premiere piece honoring her grandmother who recently passed and was a great supporter of Emily’s pursuit and love of dancing. Choreographer D’mitri Cápri brings us an interpretive hip hop piece. Eleven dancers performing a high-energy Jazz/ Broadway piece by Linda Ann Webb is choreographed to music by Cy Coleman, Chicago Ensemble and George Benson. Tap solo “Harlem Bound” is restaged and danced by Ashley Barnes with choreography by Anthony Morigerato.

Expect an inspired and exciting evening of music and dance that is sure to bring you lasting memories of the amazing talent in our community. ARTS SENSATION! is presented by Forward Motion Dance Company. For more information, please visit and like us on Facebook!

 

 

Music and Dance Return to Thalian Hall Main Stage!

In Uncategorized by danceteamLeave a Comment

Forward Motion Dance Company’s 19th Annual  ARTS SENSATION Benefit Performance  is Friday, April 21, 2023 at 7:30 pm at Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts Main Stage, to benefit the Good Shepherd Center, a local non-profit organization. Along with Forward Motion Dance Company and works from local dancers and choreographers, Flamenco guitarist Ed Stephenson will bring his exciting Eduardo de Rosemarie Presents Noche Flamenca for an authentic Flamenco experience!

A DANCE AUDITION for this performance will be held

Sunday, March 26, 2023, 3:30 pm at The Dance Element, 7211 Ogden Business Lane, Wilmington, NC 28411

Interested dancers, choreographers of all genres (classical, jazz, hip hop, modern, tap, ballroom, cultural dance) are welcome.

COMPLETED WORK, INCLUDING COSTUMES, IS REQUIRED

6 minutes maximum length. Piece must be “family friendly”.

For information on the audition, click here, call (910) 232-8151, or visit www.forwardmotiondance.org

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The 19th Annual ARTS SENSATION!

In Dance Event, Fundraiser, Music and Dance Event, Performance, Sponsorship by danceteam2 Comments

Reserve your seats today for The 19th Annual ARTS SENSATION!

A Benefit Performance for The Good Shepherd Center

7:30 p.m. April 21, 2023

Thalian Hall Main Stage

310 Chestnut Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

Tickets are $25 general admission. Please contact the Thalian Hall Box Office online or at 910.632.2285 for ticket reservations.

The 19th Annual Arts Sensation returns to the Thalian Hall Main Stage to showcase lively and entertaining local talent for a music and dance spectacular! This year’s beneficiary is the Good Shepherd Center, whose mission is to be a safety net for our neighbors in crisis by providing hot and nutritious meals, case management support, showers and restrooms, clean clothing, warm beds, an onsite medical clinic and a pathway to safe and affordable housing…all with dignity and respect.

Eduardo de Rosamaria’s Tablao Flamenco will transport you to the Andaluz region of Spain for an authentic Flamenco experience. Featuring flamenco dancer Chillona, singer Bella G. and guitarist Eduardo de Rosamaria, this amazing ensemble will perform traditional flamenco dances such as Sevillanas, Guajiras, Alegrias, Malaguenas, and Rumbas. Feel the passion and energy of a night out in Spain, right here in Wilmington!

Arts Sensation brings a variety of dance creations from the genres of tap, classical ballet, jazz, modern, folk dance, and street dance/hip-hop, presented by local choreographers and dancers. And with their fine style, the captivating Company “T” Tap Dancers return to wow audiences with their vintage flair. Expect an inspired and exciting evening of music and dance that is sure to bring you lasting memories of the amazing talent in our community.

Stay tuned in to hear about all the performers bringing  this year’s show alive. ARTS SENSATION! is presented by Forward Motion Dance Company. For more information, please visit and like us on Facebook!

 

 

FMD Fundraiser at the Penthouse Returns!

In Uncategorized by danceteamLeave a Comment

Forward Motion Dance is back at The Penthouse and the sunset views are spectacular! 

We invite you back to enjoy an evening with us to help support our
2023 season at the Thalian Hall Main Stage,
including the 19th annual ARTS SENSATION! music and dance event with
Eduardo de Rosamaria and his Tablao Flamenco,
and works from local choreographers and dancers. 

Come on up to enjoy the best views of downtown Wilmington with
your friends from Forward Motion Dance Company!

Tickets can be purchased from any Forward Motion Dance board member,
or email dance@forwardmotiondance.org —

space is limited, so be sure to reserve yours today!

Find out more about FMD and ARTS SENSATION!
at our website: www.forwardmotiondance.org