Broadway Dance Center

Maleek Washington: Dance Now Chapter 4
Photo Credits Damian Tierney, Andrea Mohin

*PDD listeners receive a discount on tickets to the Dance Now February chapter with code PDDCH421 – see below for details!

In this  installment of PDD’s spring series covering the Dance Now 25th anniversary season, Paul Hamilton speaks with the extraordinarily talented dancer, choreographer and teacher Maleek Washington.  Maleek is one of four commissioned artists presenting works in February’s chapter (#4), along with Alice Shepard, Subject: Matter, and Kate Landenheim. The lineup also includes archival works from Mark Gindick and Adam Barruch.

In the interview Maleek shares his thoughts about navigating a path in the dance profession. He covers everything from working with brilliant choreographers Camille Brown and Kyle Abrahams, to how the ongoing pandemic has affected his career, to his newly commissioned work for Dance Now. You can find more information about the Dance Now season here or check out the full season and ticketing options at https://dancenow.online/! 

Dance Now is offering Pod de Deux listeners a discount on tickets to Chapter 4 of the DANCE NOW Story! For just $7 (regular price is $10), PDD subscribers will have access to Chapter 4’s new and archival dance pieces until June 30, 2021. You can watch the digital performances at your leisure or join the Watch Party on Thursday February 11 at 6pm EDT. 

The PDD subscription offer is good starting TODAY (Feb. 9th) through Feb 16th!

For more info and to purchase a Chapter 4 ticket, visit: dancenow.online. Use the code: PDDCH421

A native New Yorker from the Bronx, Maleek Washington is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist. Washington began his dance training at Harlem School of the Arts, Broadway Dance Center, and LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. He attended Boston Conservatory on a full scholarship and began his professional career with Commonwealth Ballet, CityDance Ensemble, and Kyle Abraham’s A.I.M. for four seasons. Following that, Washington performed with Punch Drunk’s “Sleep No More” as the first African American male performer. He is currently in his third season with Camille A. Brown & Dancers.

LLAB Ep 4: Navigating the Professional Field while Black Pt II – w/ Tash Crudup & Keenan Cooks

In our previous episode of the LLAB, we spoke with three Black dancers about their experiences and challenges navigating concert dance. This week, we talked to dancers on the other end of the field, in commercial dance. Our guests Tash Crudup and Keenan Cooks share stories and lessons about the challenges, triumphs and what it takes to make it as a Black commercial dancer. 

Tash has danced with Rihanna, Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, and Lorde; has choreographed for Meg thee Stallion, Goldlink, and Tyler the creator; and is the Founder/CEO of Lil Vegan Shawty. Keenan has danced for Big Sean, Nicki Minaj, Ne-Yo, Kendrick Lamar, Halsey, and Dua Lipa; has choreographed for Cardi B, Meek Mill, and Yo Gotti; and teaches regularly at Broadway Dance Center.

Social Media:

Keenan Cooks
Instagram: @ayokeenan
Twitter: @ayokeenan_
Facebook: KeenanCooksDance

Tash Crudup
Instagram: @TashCrudup
Website: lilveganshawty.co

BY EVERYONE, FOR EVERYONE: EPHRAT ASHERIE

ephrat-asherie

In this episode we had a fascinating interview with b-girl, house dancer, choreographer and recent Bessie award winner Ephrat Asherie of Ephrat Asherie Dance. Ephrat revealed how she discovered and became drawn to the “immediacy” of breaking and house dancing. In the process, we learned about the history, music and context behind these dance traditions and how she brings them to the stage. We ended with a valuable discussion on the importance of the role that dance choreographers must assume in understanding and acknowledging their influences, using the example of the widespread influence of hip hop in the contemporary dance world. (more…)