Arena Dances in residence at Redfern Arts Center

Arena Dances in Residency at Redfern Arts Center to Work With Community and Campus Members on New Dance

Mathew Janczewski’s Arena Dances, a Minneapolis-based dance troupe, will be in residence September 9 to 12 at the Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College to work on a new dance with community and campus members. Dancers from KSC’s Dance Program, MoCo Arts in Keene, and senior citizens enrolled in the Cheshire Academy for Lifelong Learning will work with Arena Dances on The Main Street Project at various times throughout the week. Arena Dances’ inter-generational residency will culminate with a performance of excerpts of The Main Street Project at the Redfern’s Season Kick-off Party on Thursday, September 12, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Main Street Project (to be completed in Spring 2014) is an evening-length performance that moves between physical and digital space to explore how technology alters our personal connections and changes the face of small town America. Within the piece, electro/techno/pop music combines with folk-inspired songs to illuminate themes of isolation and belonging, and filmed interviews with everyday people from multiple communities bridge the gap between today and yesterday. The Main Street Project combines explosive movement with intimate narrative to ask the question, “Does Main Street still exist?”

Everyone is invited to watch the Arena Dances residency programs that follow. Admission is free. For further information, contact Sharon Fantl at 603-358-2167.

• Monday, September 9, Student Center, Mabel Brown Room: 12-1:45 p.m. Dance master class with KSC Professor William Seigh’s Modern II class; 4-5:30 p.m. Main Street Workshop #1.
• Tuesday, September 10, Student Center, Mabel Brown Room: 4-5:30 p.m., Main Street Workshop #2 (includes visit from Keene City Planner Michele Chalice); 6-7:30 p.m. MoCo Arts master class.
• Wednesday, September 11, 4-5:30 p.m., Student Center, Mabel Brown Room: Main Street Workshop # 3.
• Thursday, September 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m.: Excerpts from The Main Street Project at Redfern Arts Center’s Season Kickoff Party.

In between these events, Arena dancers will be rehearsing The Main Street Project in the Redfern’s Main Theatre and on Thursday preparing for the season kickoff presentation.

About Redfern Arts Center on Brickyard Pond

The Arts Center is named in honor of Dr. Leo F. Redfern, Keene State College President from 1969 to 1979 for his vision, commitment, and eloquence on behalf of the arts that made funding and construction of the facility a reality. In 1981, KSC inaugurated this new performing arts center, with the goal of providing unforgettable artistic encounters for the campus and community. Since then, the Redfern stage has hosted hundreds of amazing shows, from internationally renowned artists to emerging young talents to KSC’s own student performers. Over the years, the Redfern has expanded its outreach programs, curricular and community partnerships, becoming an indispensable resource for the Keene community and beyond.