The Nutcracker: a Contemporary Look

For the 3rd year, Igal Perry's "The Nutcracker: a Contemporary Look" will be performed at our Salvatore Capezio Theater!

Rehearsals fill our studios, from LaJon Dantzler's hip hop choreography to the stunning work by Igal Perry on the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company.

This contemporary Nutcracker, conceived and choreographed by Artistic Director Igal Perry, pushes the boundaries of the holiday favorite audiences know and love. The Nutcracker is set to excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s original score, with an eclectic range of dance styles, live musical accompaniment and stunning visual effects, to create an intriguing new perspective on this classic, that is sure to delight audiences of all ages. 

Tickets are on sale, and going fast! Purchase yours online

PCDC's Nikki Holck!

THE BIO...

 

Nikki Holck was born in Honolulu, Hawaii where she received her initial dance training.  She continued her studies on scholarship at the North Carolina School of the Arts.  Nikki graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School, where she also completed the Post Secondary Program.  Upon graduation, Nikki joined the National Ballet of Canada under the direction of Karen Kain.  Nikki has had the opportunity to perform a wide range of classical and contemporary choreography, including works by Igal Perry, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylian, James Kudelka, and Korhan Basaran.

 photo by Kokyat

THE INTERVIEW...

Peridance Capezio Center What did you do over the summer?

  

Nikki Holck I performed and danced in NY.  Went to the beach, took long bike rides, enjoyed time with friends. Went home to Hawaii, enjoyed the sun and the long days.  

P.C.C What is your first memory of performing?

N.H. Being onstage with my dance studio in Hawaii and performing a dance inspired by Cat in the Hat in an orange unitard and white tail.  

P.C.C What is your favorite snack?

N.H. Kashi cereal and almond milk.

P.C.C What songs are 'most played' on your ipod?

N.H.  

"Picturesof You" by The Cure

"Pitseleh" by Elliott Smith

"Halfa Person" by The Smiths

P.C.C What do you do in New York when you have a day off?

N.H. Days off are rare, but when I get a chance I like to sit by the Hudson River while I write and drink coffee.  

P.C.C Do you have any favorite quotes/ words that you live by?

N.H. 

If the heart had a thought it would stop -clarice lispector

Things were somehow so good that they were in danger of becoming very bad because what is fully mature is very close to rotting -Clarice Lispector

What might have been and what has been

Point to one end, which is always present

- TS Eliot

P.C.C your favorite things

N.H. my journal, good wine, dancing in the rain, the beach at night, family, coffee, friends, the unknown, the tide, the ocean, horizon, challenges, music, thunderstorms, imperfections, art 

P.C.C What is your favorite thing about Peridance Contemporary Dance Company? 

N.H. Our tight knit group and the opportunity to be so intimately involved in the creative process on a daily basis.  A nurturing environment that helps foster and develop young artists.

PCDC highlighted on Union Square's Blog!

As we count down the days and each moment brings us closer to our Benefit and Auction Event on Saturday night, we can't hold back from sharing with you each development that will make this event even more extravagant and exciting!

New auction items come in every day.
Tables and drinks are starting to be delivered.
Rehearsals fill our studios as PCDC and the Peridance Youth Ensemble practice excerpts from classic works and try out new choreography as well.

And....Union Square's blog has started promoting the event as well! It's going to be an extravanganza in the Union Square community!

Meet Noelle Kayser!

THE BIO...

Noelle Kayser began her intensive dance training at the Atlanta Ballet’s Pre-Professional Division under the direction of Sharon Story. During her time at the Atlanta Ballet, she had the privilege of performing alongside the company in works by Lauri Stallings and Artistic Director John McFall. Noelle also performed site-specific works with Lauri Stallings’ Glo. Upon graduation, Noelle spent a year at SUNY Purchase, after which she moved to Chicago to become a Scholarship Student with the Lou Conte Dance Studio at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. As a scholarship student, Noelle participated in workshops by Victor Quijada, Sammar Haddad King, Terri Marling, and Taryn Kaschock Russell. Noelle joined Luna Negra Dancer Theater as an apprentice under the direction of Gustavo Ramirez Sansano in the fall of 2011. Since, she has performed Sansano’s work alongside the company both nationally and internationally. This is her first year with PCDC.

THE INTERVIEW... 

Peridance Capezio Center What did you do over the summer?
 
Noelle Kayser Over the summer I participated in The Movement Invention Project and continued rehearsals with Luna Negra Dance Theater. Apart from dancing, I visited my family and friends in Atlanta.

P.C.C What is your first memory of performing?
 
N.K. It was a recital at Decatur City Dance back in Georgia. I performed a jazz dance to a track from the movie Moulin Rouge. I was very excited about my bejeweled crop top.

P.C.C What is your favorite snack?

N.K. Starfruit. It is the mother of all froyo only found in Chicago. I know the employees of Starfruit by name in two different locations. I'm a regular.

P.C.C What songs are 'most played' on your ipod? 
 
N.K.
"What's My Name" ft. Drake by Rihanna
"Roman Holiday" by Nicki Minaj
"Do It Like A Dude" by Jessie J.

P.C.C Where do you go/what do you do in New York when you have a day off? 
 
N.K. I've never lived in NYC before, so I don't know yet :)

P.C.C Do you have any favorite quotes/ words that you live by?
 
N.K. "Humanity does not ask us to be happy. It merely asks us to be brilliant on its behalf." - Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

P.C.C Your favorite things are...
 
N.K. Friends. Family. Collard greens.

P.C.C What do you like best about Peridance Contemporary Dance Company so far? 
N.K. The positivity I feel from the other dancers and the artistic staff.

Meet Christopher Bloom!

 THE BIO...

 

Christopher Bloom is from Middletown, VA where he started training at the Vostrikov's Academy of Ballet at the age of 15. Christopher trained as a scholarship student at the Ballet and Contemporary Dance Programs in the School at Jacob's Pillow under Anna-Marie Holmes and Milton Myers. He holds a B.F.A. from The Ailey/Fordham BFA Dance program where he had the opportunity to perform works by Sidra Bell, Francesca Harper, Camille A. Brown, Jennifer Muller, Paul Taylor and Alvin Ailey. He has performed professionally with 360º Dance Company, Thang Dao Dance Company, VonUssar DanceWorks, Parsons Dance and with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This is his first season with PCDC.

See some amazing photos/videos/other stuff on his website

 

 THE INTERVIEW...

Peridance Capezio Center What did you do over the summer?

Christopher Bloom It was my first summer after college so after moving to my new apartment I worked with several companies. I was privileged to go to Steamboat Springs CO with the Thang Dao Dance Company to perform in the annual Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival. After that I joined VON USSAR danceworks for their Summer Stage performances.

P.C.C What is your first memory of performing?

C.B. My first performance was with my old band, According to Hoyle, when I was 12 years old. We played NYE 2002 for our debut. I was the youngest person in the band and was so nervous to get onstage with them that I threw up before the show. As it turned out we were a huge local hit and we sold out of all the copies of our demo.

P.C.C What is your favorite snack?

C.B. Potato chips

P.C.C What songs are 'most played' on your ipod?

C.B. I actually don't use an iPod but I think it would probably be "Boy With A Coin" by Iron and Wine, "Dust Bowl Dance" by Mumford and Sons, "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver and "Blacken the Cursed Sun" by Lamb of God (metal gets me pumped).

P.C.C Where do you go/what do you do in New York when you have a day off?

C.B. Usually I go to the gym and then go to a new NYC park. I love walking around and seeing what there is to see. It is also nice to see a blade of grass from time to time. Lately I have been so busy that my rare days off are spent doing laundry, grocery shopping and writing all the emails that I had been putting off for lack of time.

P.C.C Do you have any favorite quotes/ words that you live by?

C.B. Personal motto
"The only thing in the world that matters is your life and what you do with it"
 &
"Citius, Altius, Fortius".

Quotes

"All evil is ignorance" Plato
"Man is the measure of all things" Plato
"A man's worth is no greater than his ambitions" Marcus Aurelius
"Love is value" Ayn Rand

P.C.C A list of your favorite things (as many things as you can think of!)

C.B. Steak, Bacon, Peaches, Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Sweet Potatoes, Beer, Dance, History books, reading in general. learning, conversing (intelligently), spending time with my family and girlfriend, working out, the sun, dressing well (when I can manage it), living in NYC, leaving NYC, Returning to NYC,  Music, playing music, playing soccer, Seeing a great dance show, Watching movies and certain TV shows

P.C.C What is your favorite thing about Peridance Contemporary Dance Company?

C.B. There are a lot of reasons that I already am excited about the company. The first is Igal. I have known him for a couple of years now and I think it will be fantastic to work with/for him. Secondly, I am excited to be in the Peridance space every day. The facility is wonderful and has so much openness and energy. The thing I am most excited about is the variety of work we will have in our rep. There aren't that many repertory companies our there in comparison to how many companies there are that are based around the work of a single choreographer. The chance to broaden my skills and perform work by men and women like Igal Perry, Ohad Naharin, Enzo Celli and Sidra Bell is hugely exciting for me.