Second Annual Festival of Aerial Arts

Media Contact:
Amy Ell
amy@gyrotonichouston.com
713.880.8161

  

Second Annual Festival of Aerial Arts at VauLt Houston
July 18-26, 2014 

Houston, Texas – VauLt Houston presents the Second Annual Festival of Aerial Arts (FAA). Aerial masters from across the United States, Canada, and Europe converge for learning and performance spectacles spanning over nine days. Classes in various levels and aerial dance genres include counter weight harness, rope, fabric, trapeze, lyra (hoop), stretching, and aerial choreography. A teaser concert performed by professional aerialists from across the globe kicks off the festival on Friday and Saturday evening, July 18-19, 2014, at 8:00 PM. The Festival closes with an informal showing of works by workshop participants on July 26, 2014, at 8:00 PM. This year’s festival features classes and performances by Cherie Carson (California) – Sunday July 20 only, Lee Claydon (Ireland), Liz Cooper (Canada), Molly Graves (Tennessee) and Rachel Strickland (California).

Cherie Carson is Artistic Director of UpSwing Aerial Dance Company in Berkeley, California.  As a contemporary choreographer, dancer, aerialist, teacher, and interdisciplinary artist, Cherie performed her first aerial dance piece in 1990. Cherie has created more than 20 aerial pieces ranging from solo and duets to group works of 5 dancers.

Lee Claydon has danced with Ricochet Dance Co, Darsh Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contempreano, Random Dance Company, Kerry Nicholls, Vincent Dance Theatre, Aletta Collins and Richard Alston Dance Company. When not dancing, Lee is often seen on the side of buildings performing aerial dance with Gravity and Levity and also running the set of Walk the Plank’s S.W.A.L.K as the messenger, amongst live pyrotechnics. Lee has been nominated twice for Outstanding Male by the Critics Choice Circle 2005-2007 and for the Time Out Live Awards.

Liz Cooper is a professional modern dancer-turned-aerialist and choreographer who trained in gymnastics, aikido, and contact improv for years.  A graduate of the Senior Professional Program of Contemporary Dancers in Winnipeg, Liz has been performing aerial circus arts since 2001 and is the head aerial instructor for Monica’s Danz Gym and co-director of Momentum Aerial & Acrobatic Troupe. Past performances include works with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, appearances at Winnipeg’s Mardi Gras, the World Gymnaestrada in Portugal, Austria, and Switzerland, Momentum, and Manohar Performing Arts, Bolero Dance Theatre and NAfro Dance Productions.  Liz is also a certified Stott Pilates instructor, with a background in anatomy for Injuries and Special Populations classes.

The founding director of Aerial Fabricators, Molly Graves has been teaching and performing aerial arts in the Nashville area since 2009. She completed the 2011-12 New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) Pro-Track Program in Brattleboro, VT, majoring in rope and minoring in static trapeze. Molly has performed with Girls on Trapeze as part of their show, “HerSelf Rising,” which follows the personal stories of 8 independent women as they examine how their lives were shaped by the women who came before them. Though she favors the simplicity and strength of aerial rope (_corde lisse_), Molly also performs solo and duo acts on aerial fabric, static trapeze and lyra.

Rachel Strickland is a classically trained ballet dancer and aerialist. She began her study of circus arts in 2007, developing a unique style and approach to aerial choreography, and has performed and taught aerial technique around the world. She is founder and artistic director of Madame Rex, a contemporary circus and aerial dance collaboration. Rachel’s cross training allows her to deliver a wide range of roles, from lithe and ethereal to earthy and visceral. Performing extensively as a soloist internationally and in several national tours, Rachel specializes in creating aerial hoop choreography and the practice of telling stories.

VauLt Houston presents the Second Annual Festival of Aerial Artson July 18-26, 2014, at VauLt Houston, 1824 Spring Street #124 Houston, TX 77007. Prices for classes vary according to class. Tickets for the Festival Teaser Performance are $25 General and $20 Senior. Tickets for the Workshop Informal Performance are $10 General. For prices and to register for the Festival, please visit www.festivalofaerialarts.com. For more information, contact staff@festivalofaerialarts.com.

 

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