July 29

Parsons Dance

Parsons Dance takes the outdoor stage of the Westhampton Beach project with its fabulous dancers demonstrating the technical skill and athletic energy that have attracted audiences to the company for over 35 years. On tap are beloved repertory works like Kind of Blue, a playful tribute to Miles Davis music; Nascimento, set to a specially commissioned score by famed Brazilian composer Milton Nascimento; and Caught, David Parsons’ stroboscopic masterwork.  Also featured are more recent Parsons pieces: Balance of Power, a gripping solo created for acclaimed dancer Zoey Anderson in collaboration with percussionist Giancarlo De Trizio; Side Effectsset to an electronic score by David Cloobeck; and The Road, performed to “Peace Train,” “Trouble,” and more evocative songs crafted by Yusuf/Cat Stevens.

Parsons Dance is internationally renowned for its energized, athletic ensemble work. Founded in 1985 by Artistic Director David Parsons and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley, the company performs both in its New York City home and throughout the world.

Heralded by The New York Times as “one of the great movers of modern dance,” David Parsons has received many accolades, including three Choreography Fellowship Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; the Dance Magazine Award; a Howard Gilman Fellowship; the Dance Masters of America Annual Award, and the Capezio ACE Award. He has collaborated with iconic artists across all disciplines, including Dr. Billy Taylor, Milton Nascimento, Allen Toussaint, Donna Karan, Annie Leibovitz, and Ellsworth Kelly.  Besides staging works selected from its vast repertory of more than 75 pieces created by David Parsons, the company also commissions pieces by both established and emerging choreographers.

Parsons Dance provides enriching experiences beyond its performances by engaging audiences of all ages through education and outreach programs that include post-show discussions, open rehearsals, studio showcases, video workshops, open company classes, summer workshops for pre-professional dancers, and in-school workshops.

All these activities are driven by the vision of Artistic Director David Parsons, who, for 37 years, has combined his choreographic gifts and talent for training dancers with a real passion for the art form.

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