Nic Gareiss & Simon Chrisman

Nic Gareiss (percussive dance, bouzouki, vocals) and Simon Chrisman (hammer dulcimer) met in 2007 at a fiddle festival in the Californian redwoods and have been exploring sound and movement together ever since. Both innovators on their instruments, Nic and Simon bring their unique approaches together for traditional song, percussive dance, instrumental tunes, improvisation and new compositions, engaging interlocking rhythms and dynamic textures. Well-known for his work with the groundbreaking new acoustic string band The Bee Eaters, Simon's music combines "chamber music’s finely calibrated arrangements with bluegrass’s playful virtuosity and pop music’s melodic resourcefulness." (Boston Herald)

Noted for his "dexterous melding of Irish and Appalachian dance" (New York Times) and described as "the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene" (Boston Herald), Nic has performed with many of the luminaries of contemporary traditional music and dance, including The Chieftains, The Gloaming, Phil Wiggins, Liz Carroll, Bruce Molsky, Bill Frisell, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. Together, Nic and Simon adventure into the world of time and timbre to create a breathtaking evening-length performance of song, instrumental music, and percussive dance. 

Links:

www.facebook.com/simonchrismanandnicgareiss

@NicGareissLFI www.nicgareiss.com

$15 advance | $20 day-of

*all tickets are subject to a surcharge (both online + box office)

The Bang Group’s Nut/Cracked

Sunday, December 3rd @ 3PM

David Parker’s Bang Group first brought the house down with their performance of Nut/Cracked at The Dance Hall in 2016. This hilarious rendition of the storied holiday production is performed to perfection by a company of exquisitely trained artists.

It’s The Nutcracker, but definitely not as we know it. The Bang Group has taken every little girls favorite Christmas show and torn it limb from limb. Mixing Tchaikovsky’s original score with music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and others, the company turns the sugar coated ballet into a percussive piece of dance theatre. Expect tap dancing, singing and some unusual pointe shoe activity. Nothing is sacred as Nut/Cracked twists and melds various dance traditions into an ode to American eclecticism which honors the power of the human urge to dance while riding Tchaikovsky’s voluptuous waves of rhythm.

The Bang Group’s mission, based on choreographer David Parker’s vision of diverse dance forms united by a common purpose, is to facilitate the creation and performance of Parker’s work and to promote, mentor and present the work of artists who embody this vision. Standards of craftsmanship, creative liberty and aesthetic diversity are present in the rehearsal and mentoring process, in the curation of the company’s performances and those presented by The Bang Group at venues throughout the U.S. and Europe.

The Bang Group, a rhythm based, theatrical dance company based in New York City, incorporated as a non profit in 1995. TBG has been presented in NYC by Danspace Project, Dance Theater Workshop, New York Live Arts, Symphony Space, and DanceNow/NYC at Joes Pub at the Public Theater. Through The Bang Group’s 13-year relationship with Summer Stages Dance in Concord, Mass., it also enjoys a sustained presence in Boston through performances on First Night Boston, at The Out On The Edge Festival at the Boston Center for the Arts and through extensive teaching and mentoring of Boston area dancers and choreographers.

They have enjoyed significant domestic touring including engagements and/or commissions from: Philadelphia Dance Affiliates, University of Maryland at College Park, Sushi in San Diego, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Wortham Center in Houston, Northwestern University in Evanston, American Dance Festival, The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard, Portland, Maine Performing Arts, Actors Theater of Louisville, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Fire Island Dance Festival, Provincetown Playhouse, and several others.

European touring highlights include The Holland Dance Festival, Tanzsprache Vienna, Dance Week Zagreb, Belluard Bollwerk Switzerland, Invito Alla Danza in Rome, Charleroi Danses Biennale in Belgium, Fondation Cartier in Paris, Konfrontace in Prague, Divdelna Nitra in Slovakia, Folkswang in Essen, Germany, Monaco Danse Forum, OT 301 in Amsterdam, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

$25 advance | $30 day-of | Student $15

*fees not included

The Bang Group’s Nut/Cracked

Saturday, December 2nd @ 7:30PM

David Parker’s Bang Group first brought the house down with their performance of Nut/Cracked at The Dance Hall in 2016. This hilarious rendition of the storied holiday production is performed to perfection by a company of exquisitely trained artists.

It’s The Nutcracker, but definitely not as we know it. The Bang Group has taken every little girls favorite Christmas show and torn it limb from limb. Mixing Tchaikovsky’s original score with music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and others, the company turns the sugar coated ballet into a percussive piece of dance theatre. Expect tap dancing, singing and some unusual pointe shoe activity. Nothing is sacred as Nut/Cracked twists and melds various dance traditions into an ode to American eclecticism which honors the power of the human urge to dance while riding Tchaikovsky’s voluptuous waves of rhythm.

The Bang Group’s mission, based on choreographer David Parker’s vision of diverse dance forms united by a common purpose, is to facilitate the creation and performance of Parker’s work and to promote, mentor and present the work of artists who embody this vision. Standards of craftsmanship, creative liberty and aesthetic diversity are present in the rehearsal and mentoring process, in the curation of the company’s performances and those presented by The Bang Group at venues throughout the U.S. and Europe.

The Bang Group, a rhythm based, theatrical dance company based in New York City, incorporated as a non profit in 1995. TBG has been presented in NYC by Danspace Project, Dance Theater Workshop, New York Live Arts, Symphony Space, and DanceNow/NYC at Joes Pub at the Public Theater. Through The Bang Group’s 13-year relationship with Summer Stages Dance in Concord, Mass., it also enjoys a sustained presence in Boston through performances on First Night Boston, at The Out On The Edge Festival at the Boston Center for the Arts and through extensive teaching and mentoring of Boston area dancers and choreographers.

They have enjoyed significant domestic touring including engagements and/or commissions from: Philadelphia Dance Affiliates, University of Maryland at College Park, Sushi in San Diego, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Wortham Center in Houston, Northwestern University in Evanston, American Dance Festival, The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard, Portland, Maine Performing Arts, Actors Theater of Louisville, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Fire Island Dance Festival, Provincetown Playhouse, and several others.

European touring highlights include The Holland Dance Festival, Tanzsprache Vienna, Dance Week Zagreb, Belluard Bollwerk Switzerland, Invito Alla Danza in Rome, Charleroi Danses Biennale in Belgium, Fondation Cartier in Paris, Konfrontace in Prague, Divdelna Nitra in Slovakia, Folkswang in Essen, Germany, Monaco Danse Forum, OT 301 in Amsterdam, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

$25 advance | $30 day-of | Student $15

*fees not included

The Bang Group’s Nut/Cracked

Nut/Cracked returns to The Dance Hall, Friday December 1st!

David Parker’s Bang Group first brought the house down with their performance of Nut/Cracked at The Dance Hall in 2016. This hilarious rendition of the storied holiday production is performed to perfection by a company of exquisitely trained artists.

It’s The Nutcracker, but definitely not as we know it. The Bang Group has taken every little girls favorite Christmas show and torn it limb from limb. Mixing Tchaikovsky’s original score with music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and others, the company turns the sugar coated ballet into a percussive piece of dance theatre. Expect tap dancing, singing and some unusual pointe shoe activity. Nothing is sacred as Nut/Cracked twists and melds various dance traditions into an ode to American eclecticism which honors the power of the human urge to dance while riding Tchaikovsky’s voluptuous waves of rhythm.

The Bang Group’s mission, based on choreographer David Parker’s vision of diverse dance forms united by a common purpose, is to facilitate the creation and performance of Parker’s work and to promote, mentor and present the work of artists who embody this vision. Standards of craftsmanship, creative liberty and aesthetic diversity are present in the rehearsal and mentoring process, in the curation of the company’s performances and those presented by The Bang Group at venues throughout the U.S. and Europe.

The Bang Group, a rhythm based, theatrical dance company based in New York City, incorporated as a non profit in 1995. TBG has been presented in NYC by Danspace Project, Dance Theater Workshop, New York Live Arts, Symphony Space, and DanceNow/NYC at Joes Pub at the Public Theater. Through The Bang Group’s 13-year relationship with Summer Stages Dance in Concord, Mass., it also enjoys a sustained presence in Boston through performances on First Night Boston, at The Out On The Edge Festival at the Boston Center for the Arts and through extensive teaching and mentoring of Boston area dancers and choreographers.

They have enjoyed significant domestic touring including engagements and/or commissions from: Philadelphia Dance Affiliates, University of Maryland at College Park, Sushi in San Diego, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Wortham Center in Houston, Northwestern University in Evanston, American Dance Festival, The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard, Portland, Maine Performing Arts, Actors Theater of Louisville, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Fire Island Dance Festival, Provincetown Playhouse, and several others.

European touring highlights include The Holland Dance Festival, Tanzsprache Vienna, Dance Week Zagreb, Belluard Bollwerk Switzerland, Invito Alla Danza in Rome, Charleroi Danses Biennale in Belgium, Fondation Cartier in Paris, Konfrontace in Prague, Divdelna Nitra in Slovakia, Folkswang in Essen, Germany, Monaco Danse Forum, OT 301 in Amsterdam, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

$25 advance | $30 day-of | Student $15

*fees not included

The relationship of jazz music and tap dance is a tradition that has been interconnected and passed down through generations since their origins. Enjoy an evening of Jazz and Tap Dance through the American songbook and Bebop era compositions.

Ayan Imai-Hall is a tap dancer from New Hampshire. In 2012 Ayan was awarded an NHSCA Traditional Arts Grant with Blues musician, TJ Wheeler. Since then, Ayan has strived to bring the dance to the music throughout the New England Seacoast.

The Band:

Jett Tachibana - Sax

Asa Meyer-Waldo - Bass

Zak King - Drums

Ayan Imai-Hall - Tap Dance

Jett Tachibana is a gifted saxophonist out of Maine with roots in bebop. Since graduating from the USM school of music Jett has strived to continue playing both within and out of the jazz tradition.

Asa Meyer-Waldo is a double bassist from West Bath, Maine. Fascinated with sounds old and

new, he has been a student of jazz and classical music since picking up his first instrument. He has performed with musicians such as Bill McHenry, RJ Miller, Brad Terry, Tim Sessions, Les Harris Jr., and Mike McGinnis. Currently, Asa is completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance with a Jazz Studies concentration at the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music.

Zak King is a Boston and New York City based drummer. He has performed and developed his craft in many off-broadway performances, jazz nights and festivals, metal concerts and more. Since then he has gone on to work with a number of groups and artists, such as Dave Newsam, Matt Savage, Nihco Gallo, Michael Beling, Kenny Cha, and Shane Dylan.

Media Links:

YouTube: @ayanimai-hall

Instagram: @ayan_imai_hall

ayantapdance.wixsite.com/ayantapdance

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Saturday, Dec 3rd @ 2:00PM

David Parker’s Bang Group first brought the house down with their performance of Nut/Cracked at The Dance Hall in 2016. This hilarious rendition of the storied holiday production is performed to perfection by a company of exquisitely trained artists.

It’s The Nutcracker, but definitely not as we know it. The Bang Group has taken every little girls favorite Christmas show and torn it limb from limb. Mixing Tchaikovsky’s original score with music by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and others, the company turns the sugar coated ballet into a percussive piece of dance theatre. Expect tap dancing, singing and some unusual pointe shoe activity. Nothing is sacred as Nut/Cracked twists and melds various dance traditions into an ode to American eclecticism which honors the power of the human urge to dance while riding Tchaikovsky’s voluptuous waves of rhythm.

The Bang Group’s mission, based on choreographer David Parker’s vision of diverse dance forms united by a common purpose, is to facilitate the creation and performance of Parker’s work and to promote, mentor and present the work of artists who embody this vision. Standards of craftsmanship, creative liberty and aesthetic diversity are present in the rehearsal and mentoring process, in the curation of the company’s performances and those presented by The Bang Group at venues throughout the U.S. and Europe.

The Bang Group, a rhythm based, theatrical dance company based in New York City, incorporated as a non profit in 1995. TBG has been presented in NYC by Danspace Project, Dance Theater Workshop, New York Live Arts, Symphony Space, and DanceNow/NYC at Joes Pub at the Public Theater. Through The Bang Group’s 13-year relationship with Summer Stages Dance in Concord, Mass., it also enjoys a sustained presence in Boston through performances on First Night Boston, at The Out On The Edge Festival at the Boston Center for the Arts and through extensive teaching and mentoring of Boston area dancers and choreographers.

They have enjoyed significant domestic touring including engagements and/or commissions from: Philadelphia Dance Affiliates, University of Maryland at College Park, Sushi in San Diego, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Wortham Center in Houston, Northwestern University in Evanston, American Dance Festival, The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard, Portland, Maine Performing Arts, Actors Theater of Louisville, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Fire Island Dance Festival, Provincetown Playhouse, and several others.

European touring highlights include The Holland Dance Festival, Tanzsprache Vienna, Dance Week Zagreb, Belluard Bollwerk Switzerland, Invito Alla Danza in Rome, Charleroi Danses Biennale in Belgium, Fondation Cartier in Paris, Konfrontace in Prague, Divdelna Nitra in Slovakia, Folkswang in Essen, Germany, Monaco Danse Forum, OT 301 in Amsterdam, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Tickets are $30 Adults; Seniors and Children $25

David Parker & The Bang Group will be in residence at The Dance Hall creating new work and sharing a performance with the community.

Choreographer and founder of The Bang Group, David Parker, has diversified the root impulses of percussive dance embracing a full-bodied, and wide-ranging vision of dance and rhythmic expression that makes room for humor, classicism, drama, and a brawny intellect.

The Bang Group was founded in New York City in 1995 and have toured and performed widely throughout North America and Europe. TBG has been generously supported by The Jerome Robbins Foundation, The Frederick Loewe Foundation, the New York Department of Cultural Affairs, The Doris Duke Foundation, and many more.  

David Parker is a Guggenheim Recipient as well as awards and citations from Art+Action, Dancers Responding To Aids, the Kurt Joss Awards, and the Contemporary Choreographic Awards in The Netherlands. It is presented regularly in New York City by New York Live Arts and its predecessor Dance Theater Workshop, Danspace Project, Dance Now NYC, Symphony Space and The Harkness Dance Festival among many others.

The Bang Group is best known and loved for Parker's vivid, funny and loving re-imagining of The Nutcracker entitled Nut/Cracked which is a comic/subversive, neo-vaudevillian, is now celebrating its 20th Season.  

"You never know what will happen next, but when it's over you find a passionate declaration of naivete in the best sense: innocence regained." — Alastair Macaulay, New York Times 

"Not only immensely entertaining but also intensely musical and witty, melding tap, disco, ballet and contemporary dance over 22 scenes that combine fantasy and silliness to marvelous effect." — Roslyn Sulcas, New York Times

$15 in advance

$20 at the door

PLEASE NOTE: Masks are required while in motion for patrons and staff.

Dance with us, contemporary chamber ballet:

The Suite Sundays series continues as Aliento Chamber musicians pair with Julie Hebb and her troupe, Annex Contemporary Dance Company, in a program of contemporary ballet featuring Kalimba-based improvisation, Piazzolla, Gershwin, Camille Saint-Saëns and Johann Sebastian Bach in an intimate chamber setting. Get up close to the dancers and feel their energy!

The Annex Contemporary Dance Company dancers performing in this program are Elyssa Bigos, Audrey Eastman, Angela Grassie, Nathan Moyer, Ian Rodgers, Lorelei Samon, and Janelle Abbott Staley. Special guest Naomi Sawyer will be performing The Dying Swan.

Come see their spectacular collaboration with Aliento!

$22 advance/ $25 door

All performances at The Dance Hall REQUIRE PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION against COVID-19 or PROOF OF A NEGATIVE COVID TEST administered within 72 hours.

Masks are required indoors for patrons and staff.