Things You Should Know: Peridance's 30-Year History

photo Karli Cadel

PERIDANCE HISTORY

1983: Peridance Center, now Peridance Capezio Center, opens its doors on 18th Street, downtown New York.

1984: Peridance Ensemble is founded, now known as Peridance Contemporary Dance Company (PCDC).

1983‐1984: Peridance acquires the Carnegie Hall based International Dance School. Peridance establishes an International Student Program and a Scholarship Program.

1984: Peridance launches a Studio Theater Series, now known as Faculty and Student Showcases.

1985: Children’s Program’s first semester – then called the PeriChild Program, now The School at Peridance. PCDC receives its first New York Times review.


1986: PCDC debuts performances at The Joyce Theater in New York.


1985‐1995: PCDC tours to Korea, Alaska and Italy.


1991: Peridance Center relocates to a new home on 4th Avenue and 13th Street.


Early 1990’s: Peridance pioneers the offering of open Hip Hop and Street Dance classes.

1992: Peridance establishes a Summer Intensive program, featuring an international roster of master teachers and choreographers.

1993: First year-­end recital of the PeriChild Program at the Pace University theater.

2000: Peridance pioneers a full Bournonville Intensive with master teachers from the Royal Danish Ballet.

2004‐2005: The Limon School finds a home at Peridance Center.

2006‐2007: Peridance establishes a unique partnership with Capezio/Ballet Makers, and construction begins for a new home.

2009: Peridance begins hosting a full New York Style Salsa program, together with Baila Society.

2009: Djoniba Dance Centre finds a home at Peridance.

2010: Peridance Capezio Center celebrates the Grand Opening of its new location, a landmark building on 13th Street.

2011: The Salvatore Capezio Theater is established, and the Certificate Program is launched.

2012: Grand opening of the Salvatore Capezio Theater, and launch of APAP Showcases at Salvatore Capezio Theater. Blueprint Summer Intensive is launched.

Peridance Capezio Center's rich history and 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration live on in its Facebook fan page.

Don't miss out on your last chance to receive 30% off ALL Peridance Capezio Center Merchandise, in honor of the 30-year milestone. Visit the Cafe now through June 30, 2013, while supplies last!

Our thanks to our 30th Anniversary Gala Partners!

A few words from our partners...

"It is an honor to partner with Peridance Capezio Center and be a part of of their 30th Anniversary Celebration. I have been a friend of Igal Perry since the studios  were on 18th Street,  where I taught Ballet, Jazz and African dance classes.  Throughout the years, we've mutually admired and respected each other. I congratulate Igal, wish Peridance a Happy 30th Anniversary, and thank everyone at the Center for their continued dedication and work in the world of dance." - Djoniba Dance Centre

"The Limón School and Company are proud to be a part of this 30th Anniversary celebration.  Throughout our 20-year partnership with Peridance Capezio Center, we have offered an in-depth program of classes and workshops in the Limón Technique to dancers who are drawn here from around the world.  We congratulate Peridance for 30 years of commitment to quality dance training, and look forward to the next 30 years!" - JOSÉ LIMÓN DANCE FOUNDATION

"We are proud to partner with the Peridance Capezio Center to unite the salsa community with the concert dance world. Together, we look forward to supporting diversity in dance and culture by passing on salsa's rich history and by ensuring its future on dance floors and stages everywhere." - Baila Society

Peridance Capezio Center would also like to thank our media partners at DancePlug for the 30th Anniversary Gala Contest. Our congrats to the Contest winners, who each won a pair of tickets to the Gala:
- Dana Marie
- Mikelle Rindflish

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night. Seats are almost gone, get your tickets now!

And don't miss your last chance to enter our Gala Giveaway, enter for a chance to win today!

What Peridance means to long-time friend Deborah Damast

"Peridance gives you wings." - Deborah Damast

Deborah Damast is a long-time friend of Peridance. We asked her to share her views on, "What does Peridance mean to you?" Below are her thoughts. 
  
Peridance Capezio Center is different from other studios I've worked with because of its unique sense of community. At its core, Peridance is a place of professionalism and integrity, where aspiring artists and professionals put their dreams into practice.

Peridance has given me immense opportunities to explore dancing, teaching and choreography. I first became involved when I was offered a scholarship. Soon after completing the program, I began teaching, with a small, first class of about 35 students. I've seen the young dancers I worked with blossom into strong, young adults. A student from one of my earliest classes, actually, went on to study dance and graduate at my alma mater, Purchase College!

Yet, even for students who don't become professional dancers, Peridance is a place to gain life skills like self-reliance, discipline, confidence and teamwork.

Since I've been involved with Peridance, it's been supportive of numerous viewpoints. Still, one vision -- that of the founder Igal Perry -- remains. This vision is inclusive of many voices, incorporates diversity and every style of dance/genre. It is a safe and encouraging environment for all people to strive for excellence, achieve their best and really develop as artists. As an instructor, I've also had the privilege of making life-long friends through Peridance...

To me, Peridance has always been an all-encompassing home and family for dancers, teachers and choreographers from various disciplines, and artists from around the world. Its undergone enormous growth throughout the years and its identity, which has been so well grounded, remains intact. Today, I'm proud Peridance is the same non-competitive, nurturing environment I entered as an young, emerging professional, 25 years ago.

DEBORAH DAMAST (MA, Dance Education-NYU:  BFA, Dance-SUNY Purchase, DEL certification) Deborah is the Artistic Advisor of the Dance Education Program at NYU Steinhardt and Master Teacher  of technique, pedagogy, production, and choreography courses. At NYU she is also Artistic Director of Dance Concerts, the Uganda study abroad program, and of Kaleidoscope Dancers. She has collaborated in many motion pictures and several internet projects. Deborah also teaches early childhood and middle school dance at LREI, and has been on the faculty of Peridance children’s and adult programs, 92nd St. Y, New York City Ballet, The Yard, and others, and has conducted outreach workshops with the Dance in Education Fund, Oregon Ballet Theatre, the 92nd Street, and NYU. Deborah's choreography has been shown in numerous venues in NYC including the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Riverside Church, Symphony Space, World Financial Center, Peridance, the Cunningham studio, 92nd Street Y, Judson Church, St. Marks Church, and internationally in Italy, Japan, Korea, and Uganda. She continues to show her choreography in NYC and abroad.  Deborah is proud to be affiliated with Peridance since 1988 and to have had the opportunity to study with, learn from, and dance with Igal Perry.

Your turn! Tell us in the comments, "What does Peridance mean to you?

You can still enter to win our Gala Giveaway on Twitter, or by visiting Peridance Capezio Center. Select tickets are still available to the 30th Anniversary Gala, join us!

30th Anniversary Gala Giveaway

Our 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration is two short weeks away and we are thrilled to announce an exciting contest with great prizes!

There are two ways to enter for a chance to win one of the following fantastic prizes:

• 1 - $100 Peridance Gift Certificate
• 2 - $50 Peridance Gift Certificate
• 10 - $30 Peridance Gift Certificate
• 2 - 3-month Membership to Crunch's splashy new gym in Union Square

To enter online, follow @Peridance on Twitter and tweet your answer to the following question, "What does Peridance mean to you?"
Be sure to include the hashtag in your tweet #Peridance30 to qualify for a prize.

To enter in person, visit the Front Desk at Peridance Capezio Center and submit your name and contact information, now through Friday, June 7 at 9pm. Only one entry per person, please.

Names will be drawn and winners announced during our after-party at Peridance Capezio Center on Saturday, June 8th immediately following our Gala performance at NYU Skirball. Winners need not be present to receive awards; no purchase necessary to enter.

We hope you'll join us in the evening's program and party! To purchase a Gala ticket online and take part in the celebrations, please visit our website.

PERIDANCE CAPEZIO CENTER’S 30^TH ANNIVERSARY GALA:

CELEBRATING THREE DECADES OF DANCE EDUCATION AND ARTISTRY IN A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY PERFORMANCE
Info & Tix here:

http://www.peridance.com/30th-anniversary.cfm

SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH 8:30pm
NYU Skirball Center
566 LaGuardia Pl, New York, 10012

212-352-3101

Peridance Capezio Center, led by Founder and Artistic Director Igal Perry, celebrates its landmark 30th Anniversary with a performance encompassing three decades of dedication to dance, welcoming notable alumni and its brightest young talent to grace the stage in a one-night-only event.

The Gala will feature performances by Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, Peridance Certificate Program, Faculty members, The School at Peridance, Peridance partners – The Limon School, Djoniba Dance Centre, and BAILA Society – and exciting guest artists. From the traditional modern style to today’s most cutting-edge contemporary work, the breadth of dance that is practiced daily at Peridance will come to life onstage.

Ticket Pricing
All tickets include admission to a pre-show champagne toast at the theater's Lobby and a post-performance party at Peridance Capezio Center.

$20 Student Ticket
$45 General Admission
$100 Deluxe Ticket
***The Deluxe Ticket includes a $55 tax deductible donation to Peridance Contemporary Dance Company and its affiliated Peridance Youth Ensemble, and a private invitation to a Peridance Contemporary Dance Company rehearsal.

Old and New Friends SAVE at Peridance THIS SUMMER!

  

Peridance celebrates NEW AND OLD FRIENDS with

2 PROMOTIONS!

Valid April 22nd through June 30th, 2013

Join us for an exciting summer at Peridance, as we celebrate our 30^th Anniversary! Our drop-in dance classes and exciting workshops come in a wide variety of dance styles, for the absolute beginner to the professional dancer. Check out our Open Class Schedule online or pick it up at the front desk when you arrive.

Promotion for NEW* students

·      1 FREE class when you purchase a10-class card within a month of registering.

·      2 FREE classes when you purchase a 20-class card within a month of registering.

Bring a friend and SAVE!

Bring a NEW* student to take a class with you! You will pay only $10 and your friend is FREE (a savings of $26)!

*Peridance student and friend must both be present to receive discount. 

We will consider you a new student if you haven’t taken a class since January 1st, 2012.

These offers apply to any open classes at Peridance (excluding workshops, children's classes and classes with Richard Gonzalez, Marie Basse and Maguette).

One time use only per person. Proof of ID required. Non-transferable. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Valid April 22nd through June 30th, 2013.

Please note: A $3 Fee will be charged for any of Djoniba Dance Centre’s classes. 

Did you read Dance Informa this month?

Check out Dance Informa's recently published article, the first publication to highlight Peridance Capezio Center's 30th anniversary in 2013!

We can't wait to share all of our 30th anniversary celebration news with you. Until then, read this article by dancer/performer/writer/biomechanist Leigh Schanfein.