DANCES FOR A VARIABLE POPULATION PRESENTS REVIVAL 7 REVELRIES
WITH FREE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES IN JUNE 2023

Performances will honor lives lost during the time of COVID, transforming grief into
a celebration of life through the lens of twentieth-century dance.

NEW YORK, June 2022 – REVIVAL 7 Revelries will honor the beloved individuals who have been lost during the time of COVID through new dances that focus on joy: a transformation of grief into a celebration of life. This project is conceived in the context of a series of works that create opportunities for legendary older dancer artists, linking multigenerational communities in a celebration of movement. By devoting each dance to an individual person and their impact on the community, REVIVAL 7 Revelries will highlight the power of legacy, further extending the reach, impact, and artistic vision of this important project. The performances are envisioned as shared moments of celebration, remembrance, and catharsis emerging from the COVID pandemic as a period of significant loss.

Now, as part of DVP’s 13th year of free performances in iconic spaces, the world premiere of REVIVAL 7: Revelries will take place Saturday, June 10, at Queensbridge Park at 4 PM, and Saturday, June 17, at Grant’s Memorial Tomb at 5 PM and 7 PM. All events will include All Together Dance workshops that are open to the public. 

The work is series of individual dances, with choreographers devoting each piece to one person, drawing on the memories of those who knew them but didn’t have the chance to publicly remember them. Individuals honored through these dances will range from community organizers to grandmothers to friends and neighbors. 

For REVIVAL 7 Revelries, Dances For A Variable Population welcomes choreographers Ellen Graff (Martha Graham Company), Audrey Madison (Charles Moore Dance Theatre), Myna Majors (The WNBA N.Y. Liberty Timeless Torches), Sandra Rivera (founding member of Ballet Hispanico), Marnie Thomas Wood (Martha Graham Company) and Alfred Gallman (Pepsi Bethel, Talley Beatty and Alvin Ailey) along with DVP artistic director Naomi Goldberg Haas and the multi-generational DVP dance company. We also welcome back Daniel Carlton (NYC playwright) as dramaturg. REVIVAL 7 Revelries will also feature 50 seniors from DVP’s free MOVEMENT SPEAKS^® zoom classes and phone conferencing classes, which take place in homes across the city. 

REVIVAL 7 Revelries is a series of individual dances, with choreographers devoting each piece to one person, drawing on the memories of those who knew them. Individuals honored through these dances will range from community organizers to grandmothers to friends and neighbors. 

The REVIVAL series begun in 2017 is a project of historical, social, and artistic innovation highlighting six choreographers, extraordinary artists who trained in dance traditions of the 20th century. They transmit and interpret the essence of Martha Graham, Charles Moore, and Alvin Ailey, celebrating the past performing careers of these artists and the impact these techniques have had on dance history and their lives in a completely new way. Through exploration in rehearsals, in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, REVIVAL 7 Revelries will bring audiences the unique expression of older adults mixed with the power of older trained professionals.

This one-of-a-kind event will be free to the public. Reservations are recommended. The event will provide diverse audiences an opportunity to see movement distilled from the seminal techniques of legendary geniuses, to see the eloquence of the older brain/older body, and witness the intergenerational connection in the spirit of creation and collaboration. Performances will also include daily interactive, free, open-access workshops for adults of all 

ages and abilities. Through these workshops, audiences, including adults of all ages and abilities, will dance in ways that are new to them, be stretched physically and intellectually, and gain new experiences of personal mastery. To learn more about the choreographers, please visit our website dvpnyc.orgorrevival7.org.

REVIVAL 7 REVELRIES PROGRAM & VENUE INFORMATION 

Saturday, June 10, 2023, Queensbridge Park

Live, In-Person Performance: 4 PM

Post-Performance All Together Dance workshop: 5 PM

41st Avenue and Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101

Reservations are recommended at revival7.org.

Saturday, June 17, 2023, Grant’s Memorial Tomb

Live, In-Person Performance: 5 PM and 7 PM

Pre-Performance All Together Dance workshop: 4 PM

122 and Riverside Dr, New York, NY 10027

Reservations are recommended at revival7.org.

ABOUT DANCES FOR A VARIABLE POPULATION

Founded in 2009 by Naomi Goldberg Haas, Dances for a Variable Population (DVP)’s mission is to promote strong and creative movement among older adults of all abilities, enabling them to build creativity, improve their mental and physical health, strengthen social connections, and enhance quality of life. Our artistic vision is to bring participatory dance experiences and performances to older adults throughout NYC, and to train teaching artists to expand our impact across NY and beyond. DVP’s free workshops and public performances promote a democratic, interactive, and inclusive vision of dance that highlights the power and beauty of older bodies.

During Covid 19, the company served more than 500 older adults with free daily movement classes. Through classes held at citywide senior centers, outdoor parks, and remote classes, DVP monthly currently serves over 1,100 NYC older adults.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

The development and performance of REVIVAL 7 Revelries has been made possible with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Department for the Aging, in partnership with the City Council and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. Special support is provided by Council Members Shaun Abreu, Erik Bottcher, Shahana Hanif, Christopher Marte, Althea Stevens, and Julie Won. Support is also provided by the Alpern Foundation, the Jody and John Arnhold, Columbia Community Service, Morningside Heights Community Fund, the Pasculano Foundation, Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation administered by LMCC, and the West Harlem Development Corporation. This program was also made possible through support from CRNY’s Artist Employment Program, a three-year, $125 million investment in the financial stability of New York State artists and the organizations that employ them.

Dance for Seniors is part performance and part interactive workshop. This city-wide tour visits nine separate NYC senior centers from October through December, and invites older adults of all abilities to join in on individual expression and community empowerment!

Check out this video of our recent Nov. 9th Dances for Seniors 2022 performance/workshop at the Queensbridge Riis Senior Center in Long Island City!

Don’t miss out on our last few performances! Join us:

Nov. 30th at 1:00 PM- Central Harlem Senior Center at the Kennedy Center Site @ 34 W 134th St. New York, NY 10037

Dec. 7th at 1:00 PM- Penn South Social Services @ 290 9th Avenue Suite 21K New York, NY 10001

Dec. 14th at 2:00 PM – Hudson Guild Fulton Senior Center @ 119 9th Avenue New York, NY 10001

Hope to see you dancing soon!

We invite you to join us as we look back at our September production of Revival 6: Home / Body / Care! Dances for a Variable Population’s Fall 2022 Revival 6 performances featured six seasoned dance artists and 50 non-professional senior dancers, who use dance to reflect on the innovation and beauty of aging. This was DVP’s 12th year of free public performances in iconic spaces like Washington Square Park and Yolanda Garcia Park. Every performance included a pre-show workshop with an interactive and inclusive “All Together Dance”. With each performance we bring our dancers and the public together to learn and enjoy to the power of movement and dance. Please enjoy this beautiful highlight video as we reflect back on what we are thankful for this week! We are so thankful to be able to share the power of dance with our communities and see the joy it brings!

Special thanks to all our choreographers Ellen Graff (Martha Graham Company), Audrey Madison (Charles Moore Dance Theatre), Myna Majors (The WNBA N.Y. Liberty Timeless Torches), Sandra Rivera (founding member of Ballet Hispanico), Marnie Thomas Wood (Martha Graham Company) and Anthony Howell (Dances of the African Diaspora) along with artistic director of DVP Naomi Goldberg Haas and the multi-generational DVP dance company. We have also engaged Daniel Carlton (NYC playwright) as dramaturg. REVIVAL 6 Home/Body/Care will also feature 50 seniors from DVP’s free MOVEMENT SPEAKS® and zoom classes as well as phone conferencing classes which take place at numerous senior centers and in homes across the city.

Video by: Will Kitchings

“When the actual show started, the performances ranged from invigorating clap-along quick foot movements to soulful sways, African drum beats leading dancers clad in white, and various mixes of modern dance – a lot of smiling, moving, energized seniors in motion – a few seated on chairs set up on the stage, but still participating.”

– Karen Camela Watson

Read more HERE!

DANCES FOR SENIORS

During the Fall 2022 season, Dances For A Variable Population (DVP) will bring DANCES FOR SENIORS, free, community based performances with interactive creative movement for all ages and abilities. Presented by five members of DVP’s multi-generational company and featuring highlights of dances performed in public performances at Washington Square Park, Grant’s Memorial Tomb,  and Yolanda Garcia Park, these 75 min community events will feature dances from the styles of modern dance, jazz, flamenco and hip-hop. The performances will be followed by a creative movement and dance experience highlighting moving together in fun and friendship.

Adults of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate!

The entire event is designed to be accessible to individuals of all abilities, bringing the power of dance in connecting communities. The performance presents dances from concert stages and social dance; the workshop invites the audience to dive into individual expression and discover new possibilities inspired by our company dancers and seasoned guest artists.

Through performance and a following interactive experience, New Yorkers become participants as well as audience members.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes for moving! 

LOCATIONS AND DATES:

• Oct 12 Wednesday at 1 PM: Park Slope Center for Successful Aging, 463A 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
• Oct 19 Wednesday at 1 PM: Morningside Retirement and Health Services, 80 La Salle Street, New York, NY 10027
• Oct  26 Wednesday at 1 PM: Jackie Robinson Senior Center at Grant Houses, 1301 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
• Nov 2 Wednesday at 1 PM: PSS Manhattanville Senior Center Manhattanville Community Center, 530 W 133rd St, New York, NY 10027
• Nov 9 Wednesday at 1 PM: Queensbridge Senior Center, 10-25 41st Street, Long Island City 11101
• Nov 16 Wednesday at 1 PM: William Hodson Senior Center, 1320 Webster Ave, Bronx, NY 10456

• Nov 30 Wednesday at 1 PM: Central Harlem Senior Center, 34 W 134th St New York, NY 10037
• Dec 7 Wednesday at 1 PM: Penn South Social Services, 290 9th Avenue, Suite 21K New York, NY 10001
• Dec 14 Wednesday at 2 PM: Hudson Guild Fulton Senior Center, 119 9th Ave New York, NY 10001

###

ABOUT DANCES FOR A VARIABLE POPULATION

Founded in 2005 by Naomi Goldberg Haas, Dances for a Variable Population (DVP) promotes strong and creative movement among people of all ages and abilities with a focus on seniors. The organization’s programming includes: a multigenerational performance company that engages community members as participants and audiences; MOVEMENT SPEAKS® and Dances for Seniors, which are free, community- based programs for modest income and culturally underserved older adults, annually serves over 700 seniors; ALL TOGETHER DANCE and Fitness classes for adults of all ages, offered year- round; and performance and training opportunities for older professional dancers and choreographers. DVP’s site-related performances have been presented in some of New York City’s most iconic public spaces, including Times Square, the New York Botanical Garden, Washington Square Park, and the High Line. Naomi Goldberg Haas is the 2019-2020 recipient of a Dance/USA Fellowship to Artists, for artists addressing social change, 

The development and presentation of Dances For Seniors has been made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Department for the Aging, in partnership with the City Council and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. Special support is provided by Council Members Shaun Abreu, Erik Bottcher, Gale Brewer, Christopher Marte, Althea Stevens, and Julie Won. Support is also provided by the Alpern Foundation, Jody and John Arnhold, Columbia Community Service, the Mertz Gilmore Foundation, the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, and the West Harlem Development Corporation. 

Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY), a project of the Tides Center, is a three-year, $125 million investment in the financial stability of New York State artists and the organizations that employ them. This program was made possible through support from CRNY’s Artist Employment Program.

Check out the full article HERE!

“It was certainly a happy atmosphere at the recent Saturday evening event in bustling Washington Square Park where the crowd quickly filled to standing room only at the start of the “Revival 6” dance performances.”

– Karen Camela Watson, Chelsea News