Virtually In Motion…a FUN RAISER! Benefiting Forward Motion Dance
Only a few days left! Only a few dollars away from our goal!! Be the one who helps us reach our goal and support local artists while doing it. That way we all will feel like dancing!
Forward Motion Dance is a 501(c)3 non-profit dance organization. Forward Motion Dance donates proceeds from their annual “Arts Sensation” performance to a local non-profit organization.
Purchase Raffle Tickets anytime – we have extended our event thru March! Date to be announced for the drawing to WIN PRIZES & Support the Arts!…
1 Raffle Ticket for $5.00 and 5 Raffle Tickets for $20.00
Tickets can be purchased online: www.forwardmotiondance.org or from a FMD Board Member or by going straight to our Rally Up page! (Click Here!)
Thanks to our Raffle Prize Donation Sponsors!
An Evening with Pierre Bensusan – Live with guests Forward Motion Dance Company
Two Shows Only! 3 pm and 7:30 pm March 7, 2020
Hannah Block Community Arts Center
120 South 2nd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Ticket price $21 in advance – $25 day of show and are available by clicking here.
After a three year sabbatical, French-Algerian acoustic guitar virtuoso, vocalist and composer Pierre Bensusan returns to North America to play nearly 100 shows, presenting the music of his new album Azwan, as well as his new book and brand new Lowden Guitar Artist Model. He opens his tour with two shows in Wilmington and is collaborating with Forward Motion Dance Company and choreographer Tracey Varga to bring the art of dance together with his unique and inspired sound.
Pierre Bensusan, surnamed “Mister DADGAD,” has taken his unique sound to all corners of the globe. Winner of the Independent Music Awards for his triple live album Encore, voted Best World Music guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine reader’s Poll, and winner of the Rose d’Or at the Montreux Festival for his debut album, Pierre is recognized as one of the greatest guitar players of the 21st century.
Born in Oran, French-Algeria, in 1957, when France was decolonizing its Empire, Pierre Bensusan’s family moved to Paris when he was 4. He began formal studies on piano at the age 7 and at 11 taught himself guitar. Influenced in those early days by the folk revival blooming in Britain, France and North America, Bensusan began first to explore his own diverse musical heritage and then moved to the horizons beyond. He signed his first recording contract at 17, and one year later his first album, Près de Paris, won the Grand Prix du Disque upon his debut at the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. Described by the L.A. Times as “one of the most unique and brilliant acoustic guitar veterans in the world music scene today,” Pierre’s name became synonymous with contemporary acoustic guitar genius, long before the terms New Age or World Music were invented. He has literally created a style of playing with the ability to make a single guitar sound like an entire band as he brings the audience on a mesmerizing musical journey. And yet, Bensusan is more than what any musician or music lover expects from a guitarist. He is a composer as well as a bilingual and original and improvisational vocalist, with his own scat technique.
Immortalized by the tune “Bensusan” written in tribute by the late Michael Hedges, and referenced as an important inspiration to many other great musicians, Pierre Bensusan is a one-of-a-kind artist whose music transcends genre and time, with an uninhibited sense of musical freedom and expression, a sense of something both playful and serious, otherworldly yet right here right now. His manner of playing defies classification – crossing world, classical, jazz, traditional, folk, pop and more. None can be isolated as simply World Music, Celtic, Arabic or French; rather, they represent Pierre’s genuine vocabulary and the best part of our world in its current state, a world sharing itself.
These special tour-opening performances with guests Forward Motion Dance Company are not to be missed!
An Evening with Pierre Bensusan is sponsored by Forward Motion Dance Company.For more information, please visit us on Facebook or at www.forwardmotiondance.org.
Find out more about Pierre at:
https://www.instagram.com/pierrebensusan/
19th Annual ARTS SENSATION!
A Benefit Performance for The Good Shepherd Center
7:30 p.m. April 17, 2020
Hannah Block Community Arts Center
120 South 2nd Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
19th Annual Arts Sensation is serving up a lively and entertaining evening showcasing wonderful 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.
Music this year is from Benny Hill, Wilmington’s own alto saxophone virtuoso who is reminiscent of many greats from classical to jazz, yet brings a distinct style and voice of his own. Benny is a true crowd-pleaser and never fails to raise excitement and enthusiasm while on stage.
For the past twenty years, Benny has performed in a diverse set of musical groups and engagements, ranging from orchestra pits to cruise ships to featured artist and soloist at numerous venues across the country and abroad. He is well versed in the many styles and genres of popular and classical music and specializes in jazz performance and steeped in the tradition of many of the past greats including Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley, Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. Benny’s improvisations on the Alto Saxophone are reminiscent of these greats, yet he has a distinct style and voice of his own. Benny is a true crowd-pleaser and never fails to raise excitement and enthusiasm while on stage.
Benny has shared the stage with such notable jazz musicians as Trumpeter Ray Codrington, Guitarist Melvin Sparks, Trombonist and Arranger Slide Hampton, bassist Percy Heath, drummer Winard Harper, Saxophonist Ron Blake, Trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and New Orleans’ Dirty Dozen Brass Band. He has also opened for roots rocker Edwin McCain and RatDog, with legendary Guitarist/Vocalist Bob Weir and Bassist Rob Wasserman and performed with James Brown’s “Soul Generals”. Benny has a Bachelor’s of Music from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Masters of Music from Northern Illinois University. Benny currently resides in Wilmington, NC and is an adjunct professor at Cape Fear Community College.
Arts Sensation also 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 a 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.
ARTS SENSATION! is presented by Forward Motion Dance Company.
Dance Audition
Sunday March 1, 2020 2:30 pm at
The Dance Element
7211 Ogden Business Lane
Wilmington, NC 28411
Audition for the 19th annual ARTS SENSATION performance Friday, April 17, 7:30 pm at the Community Arts Center, Wilmington, NC
Arts Sensation is a benefit the Good Shepherd Center, a local non-profit organization. Interested dancers, choreographers of all genres (classical, jazz, hip hop, modern, tap, ballroom, cultural dance) welcome. Completed work, including costumes, required. 6 minutes maximum length. Piece must be “child friendly”.
For more information please call 910-793-6675
www.forwardmotiondance.org
Forward Motion Dance Company presents Cape Fear Arts in Motion
Forward Motion Dance Company presents Cape Fear Arts in Motion: Kinetic, Energetic, Poetic
7:30 pm September 13 & 14, 2019 Thalian Hall Main Stage, 310 Chestnut Street Wilmington, NC 28401
Tickets are $25 general admission; $22 for seniors, students, military, & children under 12. Please call Thalian Hall Box Office at 910.632.2285 or visit their website for ticket reservations.
Cape Fear Arts in Motion: Kinetic, Energetic, Poeticconnects dancers, choreographers, musical and visual artists and more to bring the art form of dance together for a varied and collaborative dance event from Forward Motion Dance Company. This annual performance showcases the talents of Choreographer Tracey Varga with new dance performances along with re-creations of works from the past. Returning this year is “Wounded Restoration” which premiered at the NC Dance Festival in 2013 and is set to music based on “Sposa son disprezzata” from the opera Bejazetby Antonio Vivaldi. From the 2018 Cape Fear Arts in Motion is “Little Black Dress”, danced to music performed and composed by local musician Barbara Gallagher and featuring three sections from the piano with orchestral arrangements. “Sparkling Spiral”, which premiered at the 2019 Wilmington Dance Festival features visual art by Kristin Gibson creating a stage set alongside the dancers, with music by Andrew Bird.
Several premiere dance works will be presented. The Teen piece is danced by students from The Dance Element and the Wilmington School of Ballet to Peter Gabriel’s composition “Walk Through the Fire”, and includes a film by filmmaker Patrick Ogelvie. The Forward Motion Dance company dancers perform a new classical piece set to original guitar music performed and composed by French guitarist Pierre Bensusan. A fun frolic through the 1930s jazz, swing, and big band era, “Sweet Home Chicago” and honoring the memory of local pianist Grenoldo Frazier, will be premiered.
The Company “T” Tap Dancers join Cape Fear Arts in Motion as guest performers this year, dancing “Swing, Swing, Swing, Swing” to music by Anita O’Day. Forward Motion Dance Company dancers performing are Ashley Barnes, Nicole Dalier, Susan Turner, Becky Spivey, and McCall White and guest dancers from the Wilmington community are Kara Abbott, Anna Bettendorf, Savannah Brooks, Michelle Harman, Emily Lawler, Kate Muhlstein, Ella Richardson, Trilby Shier, Linda Ann Webb, and Elizabeth White along with theadult dancers from the Modern-Jazz class at The Dance Element.
Expect an inspired and exciting evening of music, film, visual arts, and modern, contemporary and jazz dance from Forward Motion Dance Company. For more information please visit www.forwardmotiondance.org.
Forward Motion Dance Company 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. We are an all-volunteer organization proudly supported by local grants and sponsors.
Sunset Cocktail Party at The Penthouse
Whether it is wintertime and summertime, the sunset views from The Penthouse are spectacular! We invite you back to enjoy an evening with us at our now, it seems, bi-annual fundraising event.
Come on up to The Penthouse, and enjoy a fabulous sunset and the best views of downtown Wilmington with a Special Cocktail and your friends from Forward Motion Dance Company!
We are hosting this event on Sunday, August 25 from 6 to 9 pm.
Tickets are $25 per person, and includes 1 special cocktail, or a glass of wine or beer. Tickets can be purchased from any board member of Forward Motion Dance Company, or email dance@forwardmotiondance.org to reserve your spot today.
Proceeds of this benefit go to Forward Motion Dance Company in support Cape Fear Arts in Motion: Kinetic, Energetic, Poetic, our annual performance at Thalian Hall Main Stage, coming up on September 13 & 14.
Be a Part of Cape Fear Arts in Motion!
Cape Fear Arts in Motion: Visuals, Vocals and Variations is the annual showcase for Forward Motion Dance Company and choreographer Tracey Varga, and also features many other genres of local talent, all brought to the Thalian Hall Main Stage for an exciting performance in September. As a non-profit organization, Forward Motion Dance Company is grateful for our dedicated sponsors, many of whom have supported us through the years.
We are always looking for ways to provide funding for the costs associated with putting on a large production on the historical Thalian Hall stage. Sponsorships and program ad sales are one of the many ways we can. Program ads can go for as little as $50 and provides an opportunity to recognize your business as well as identify you as supporter of the Arts.
Click on this link for an ad form or here for a sponsor form that you can save or print. All information on how you can support us are listed on these forms and you can follow the instructions to reserve your place in our production.
Thank you!
Arts Sensation! Raises $1000 for WARM!
Susan Turner of Forward Motion Dance Company presented a check for $1000 to Tammy Tierney, Development Manager of Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM). The money was raised from proceeds from Arts Sensation! at Thalian Hall in April, a benefit performance for WARM which showcases local musicians, choreographers and dancers. Pictured with Susan and Tammy is Andy Jones, Program Development and Kelley Mawhinney, Development Coordinator.
Every year, Forward Motion Dance Company produces Arts Sensation to raise money and awareness for local non-profit organizations who provide services to the people in the Wilmington Area. This year, WARM was selected as a group who not only provides on-going support for the elderly and disabled, but this year offered recovery assistance for many of the survivors of Hurricane Florence.
The 18thAnnual ARTS SENSATION!
A Benefit Performance for Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Inc.
7:30 p.m. April 26, 2019
Thalian Hall Main Stage
310 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
The 18th Annual Arts Sensation is building up to a lively and entertaining evening showcasing wonderful local talent for a music and dance spectacular! This year’s beneficiary Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM) has a mission to repair, rebuild and make homes accessible; and to inspire service, generosity, and hope. WARM serves low-income homeowners in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties, many of whom are elderly and/or disabled. By preventing home accidents and illnesses, WARM helps people age in place safely, preserving their dignity and independence, and recently has increased their impact by helping Hurricane Florence recovery efforts.
Arts Sensation showcases the unique and historic Thunder Roll and Rain Machine. These special effects, built right into the Thalian Hall stage, were thrilling in their time, and are used in performances to this day. Music this year is Stray Local, Wilmington’s indie folk duo Hannah Lomas and Jamie Rowen. With a unique and electrifying sound, and hints of their southern roots, Lomas and Rowen push the boundaries of the genre and pave the way for a new indie folk sound. Stray Local have performed their unique sound across the east coast and on two international tours including performances in France, Germany, and across the United Kingdom.
Arts Sensation also 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, including Linda Ann Webb, Cedric Kopa, Qaadir Hicks, Tracey Varga, Nancy Carson, a performance by students from Snipes Academy, choreographed by Jeneen Cleare Floyd and a duet by DREAMS students choreographed by Kevin Lee-Y Green. Film by filmmaker Patrick Ogelvie will be shown in collaboration with choreographers and dancers. And with their fine style, the captivating Company “T” Tap Dancers return to wow audiences with a vintage flair.
Tickets are $20 general admission through the Thalian Hall Box Office at 910.632.2285 or online at www.thalianhall.org/events.
ARTS SENSATION! is presented by Forward Motion Dance Company. For more information, please visit us on Facebook or at www.forwardmotiondance.org.