Celebrating Youth! - Performers
(Currently scheduled performances may change prior to event.)
• Children of the Sun
The Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s “Children of the Sun Drum Troupe” established in 1998 in Milwaukee is the first and only known performing drum troupe comprised of young deaf and hard of hearing musicians. This unique troupe has performed at a variety of Milwaukee area events and venues under the leadership of musical director Jahmes Finlayson. The troupe uses African rhythms and dance to engage and encourage audience participation. The Children of the Sun Drum Troupe is an inspiration for all individuals who strive to overcome challenges. Program Director, Deb Kravit 414-704-7205, CDHH website at www.cdhh.org.
• CircEsteem; the Chicago Youth Circus
CircEsteem’s mission is to unite youth from diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and help them build self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice of circus arts. Our kids have performed all over Chicago, the U.S., and a two week tour of Southern Germany. Today’s Gym Wheel act was created by eight time World Champion Wolfgang Bientzle who has been working with CircEsteem for the last 3 years. To learn more visit www.circesteem.org.
• Club TNT
Club TNT (Today Not Tomorrow), is a locally produced, sixty minute, weekly television show, airing Saturday mornings on My Madison TV14. Club TNT promotes positive behaviors, builds self- esteem and confidence ALL in a drug free, alcohol and violence free environment. Club TNT provides opportunities for youth to express themselves through the medium of television using music, poetry and dance. Club TNT raises public awareness on the issues that face all youth and young adults as well as highlighting the resources that are in the community to support responsible decision making. Local youth participating in Club TNT include, Mychi Kober, Gabrielle Alexander, and Sammi Tracey. Visit our website at www.clubtnt.org.
• CAF & S.C. Productions
Crushin All Force & Soldier Click Productions is a youth production company. We specialize in song, dance and theatre performance. We have dancers, actors and musical artists on our team. Bryan Mayberry is the Artistic Director of the company, his visions and talents are displayed throughout the performances. Tai Words is the President and Business Manager for the company. You are bound to see an array of talent gifts displayed in the above listed areas by the team. For more information contact caf_sdotcproductions@yahoo.com.
• Dance Wisconsin/Monona Academy of Dance
Monona Academy of Dance is celebrating 60 years of teaching in south western Wisconsin. Founded by Jean Adams, who started her school in New Glarus and Mt. Horeb, currently schools now in Monona and Sun Prairie. Instruction for 3 year olds up through adults in creative movement, pre-ballet, classical ballet and pointe, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, boys classes, partnering and ballroom lessons. The academy is the official school of Dance Wisconsin, a not-for-profit dance company that serves the greater Madison area, offering performance opportunities to young people, and jump starting many careers. More information is found on the websites: www.mononaacademyofdance.com and www.dancewisconsin.com.
• Daze Streetball Crew
The razzle dazzle of "The Daze Streetball Crew" will be showing you moves that makes them the kings of the street and beyond. Think you got game? You haven't seen anything compared to these bad boys of round ball. Come watch their entertaining interactive brand of street ball, or test your skillz against them on stage; either way you'll be amazed by their "sick" talent. Featuring Myth, Snake, Hollywood, Konfuzion, Kicks, and Jayflo.
• Disa Carneol
Disa Carneol is 19 years old and currently lives in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Her debut on stage was at the tender age of two, and she has been swinging through the air with the greatest of ease since age ten. A graduate of the Academy of Circus Arts in the UK, she has performed as an aerialist and stilt walker around the world, including at the Rambo Circus in India.
• First Act Children’s Theatre
First Act Children's Theatre presents a Reader's Theatre excerpt from our performance of Harry Potter; The Order of the Phoenix, with readings by our Middle School students! First Act is a for-children-by-children theatre company that emphasizes the process of all areas of theatre for all youth! We offer year-round classes and camps for students in Preschool through High School, with special programs. Visit our website at: www.firstactchildrenstheatre.com for a listing of current class and camp offerings or pick up our newest brochure at the performer information table!
• The Funky Buckets
This group uses music performance to enhance concepts of community, professionalism, and work ethic for Middle to High School aged kids. Playing instruments together requires a lot of listening, patience, and practice. Buckets are used along with other common household items that don’t necessitate the purchase of an instrument, and allow participants participate in music for free. We formulate compositions based on concepts of African drumming, Hip-Hop, Funk, and Jazz, using the creative musical ideas of the students. The framework of the compositions requires students to play together accurately, while also allowing them moments of free improvisation. The Funky Buckets group draws out the musician in all of its members and demonstrates the personal rewards for achieving one’s goals through musical performance. For more information contact John Doing, Director, at jmdoing@wisc.edu or www.johndoing.com.
• Ho Chunk Nation Youth Dancers
The Ho-Chunk Nation’s youth dancers take pride in their dancing. Each dance and regalia is different. There are boy’s traditional, grass, and fancy. Boy’s traditional dancers have one bustle made of eagle feathers. Boy’s grass is made of yarn and ribbons. Boy’s fancy dancers have two bustles made of hackle or eagle feathers. There are girl’s traditional, jingle, and fancy. Girl’s traditional is made of cloth or fully beaded. Girl’s jingle has metal cones. Girl’s Fancy has a shawl.
• Ho-Chunk Nation Youth Drum
The drum represents the heartbeat of mother earth. The drum was dreamed up by Chippewa women to stop the tribes from fighting one another. It was made so the Nations could get along together. The drum is also used for social dances. Quoted by "Damon Funmaker." www.ho-chunknation.com.
• Hua Mulan Traditional Chinese Dance Troupe
Led by director Dalian Yu Urbonya and her assistant Jong May, Hua Mulan perform ethnic Chinese dancing from 56 regions in China. Hua Mulan also specializes in fusion dances. This year’s show will include a Dai Nationality dance and acrobatic handkerchief dancing from northeast China. A Mongolian wine cup number will be fused with a traditional Spanish dance using castanets (performed with Tania Tandias). Contact huamulanchinesedance@yahoo.com for more information about performances or classes.
• JUGHEADS
Founded and directed by Paul Arneberg, JUGHEADS Youth Juggling Company is an after-school, evening, and summer juggling program based in Edina, MN. Currently, more than 130 kids in six distinct weekly JUGHEADS clubs meet to hone skills, learn new juggling tricks, and work on juggling routines. The performers in the routines showcased here have all achieved the highest level of standards in the JUGHEADS weekly club line-up and are members of the Ultimate Club. The motto of JUGHEADS is “Developing youth through juggling since 1994.” The virtues of good character, friendship, creativity and mentorship undergird all the kids' efforts which are dramatized here.
• Kanopy School for Contemporary Dance and Choreography
Kanopy School for Contemporary Dance and Choreography is dedicated to the pursuit of artistry in dance. The Student Ensemble program stresses technical as well as performance and creative development through a full curriculum of study in modern dance technique, ballet & jazz for modern, repertory, composition, improvisation, and dance history. Self-awareness, confidence and group spirit are developed through the multi-layered Kanopy experience. Students bring their creative energies together by producing their own choreography in public performances in Madison and throughout the state. You will see dances created by students age 8-adult. Enjoy! Lisa Thurrell & Robert Cleary, Directors. www.kanopydance.org.
• Macyn Taylor
Macyn Taylor is an accomplished guitar player and singer who performs at festivals, coffee houses, private parties, church services, retirement homes, community fund-raisers, and as a street performer. She is 13 years old and is in her second year as an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee majoring in Finger-style Guitar Performance. Macyn has been performing since she was seven. She loves to play many different types of music and will be singing and playing some of her favorite selections.
• Madison Fine Arts Children’s Center and Madison Fine Arts Chinese School
Madison Fine Arts Children's Center and Madison Fine Arts Chinese School are both directed by Huang Ping. Madison Fine Arts Center is a preschool. Madison Fine Arts Chinese School meets on Saturday afternoons. Each school offers a Chinese dance class taught by Dalian Yu Urbonya. Both groups will be performing. For more information about these schools see the website www.mfacc.com.
• Madison Hope Chinese School
The Madison Hope Chinese School’s 2008 performance will take the audience to another world across the ocean. Bright colored costumes, rich tones of Eastern music, beautiful faces and a dragon will delight all. Dancers will make use of Chinese handkerchiefs and the waist drum, originating from the Shanxi Province of China. Madison Hope Chinese School is directed by Hui Cheng and the dance troop is led by Ning Tao. Classes in language, dance and art are held on Saturday mornings. For more information visit www.madisonhopechineseschool.org. The dragon is provided by the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association, directed by Nelson Ferreira. Please visit http://zykfa.org/introduction.php to learn more about kung fu.
• The Madison Professional Dance Center
The Madison Professional Dance Center offers a centrally located, family-friendly studio for the serious as well as the recreational dance student. Dancers age 3 to adult can enjoy a broad range of classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Tap and Creative Dance. Our creative, experienced staff teaches classes that are challenging, yet fun with lots of personal attention. We also offer performing companies for dancers age 9 and up. Register now. www.madisonprofessionaldancecenter.com.
• Madison Unicyclists Wheeling Dervishes
Dervishes possess abundant, often frenzied energy. This group of unicyclists aged 8-15 unleash their creative energy by riding backwards, hopping, spinning, jump roping, juggling and sitting atop “giraffe” unicycles. Their choreography incorporates solo and group work and props, expanding the boundaries of unicycle performance art. If you've never tried unicycling before, beware, the performers make it look easier than it is. They also show that perseverance results in a lot of fun. Hop on at MadUni.com!
• Mazomanie Flyers
Since 2002, the Mazomanie Movement Arts Center has been teaching kids of all ages to fly, hang from their toes, spin like dervishes and explore the delights and possibilities of suspended dance. We use low-flying trapezes, aerial fabric, rope and harness, and other aerial apparatus to create dances in the vertical realm. We offer aerial dance classes for adults and children throughout the year, and Let the Wild Rumpus Begin! Circus Arts Camps in the summertime. For more info, see www.mazoMAC.com or contact Marcia Miquelon at (608) 669-6403.
• Meenakshi Ganesan and the Kalaanjali School of Indian Dance
The Kalaanjali school of Indian Dance is directed by Meenakshi Ganesan in an effort to propagate Bharatanatyam – Indian Classical Dance form through various outreach programs, workshops, seminars, fund raisers etc. The Kalaanjali dancers as young as 5 years to adults have performed in various multicultural and collaborative performances in Wisconsin and other cities of the U.S., including various preschools, elementary, middle and high schools and Universities of WI. Meenakshi and the dancers have been appreciated by the press and public for their quality and presentation. Please visit www.kalaanjali.com for further information on classes, shows and colorful pictures of the young dancers.
• Neal Prida
Hey, I’m Neal Prida, I’m going to be playing guitar and singing. I'll be playing a lot of my originals, on top of some songs that the people will know. I play Jack Johnson, Howie Day, Pink Floyd, Edwin McCain, and my own (AKA PRiDA). The music I play has a really chill, relaxing feel to it. Some of it can make you cry, some of it can make you laugh. A range of emotions are placed on the crowd whom I play for, whether its on state street, or at my own show, I play with all of my heart. I hope you enjoy my style, and the heart that I put into my lyrics, and music.
Thanks a lot, PRiDA~
• Okinawan Taiko Drummers of Wisconsin
The Madison West High School based Taiko Drumming club consists of 25 students who meet year round to learn a style of drumming unique to Okinawa, Japan. They are part of a larger group based in Okinawa, and have joined them in performances in both Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Graduating members will be traveling to Okinawa this summer to participate in Obon, the most important Okinawan festival of the year. For more information contact West High teacher/club director Heidi Hastings at www.otdw.com.
• Spanish Art Music and Dance
An introduction to Spanish language and culture through art music and dance. Children k-12 learn traditional and modern songs and games while increasing vocabulary. Practice reciting sonnets and lyrics. Demonstrate understanding through interpretational dance. Learn steps and movements to exciting polyrhythmic music learn how world culture influences Latin American dance such as: Folklore, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Ranchera, Guapango, Quebradita, Bolero, and Reggaeton, mixing hip-hop, reggae with Latin beats. Classes after school, Saturdays, and Sundays. For more information contact: Manuel Diaz, 695-6264 or manuelangel2000@yahoo.com.
• Tai Chi Animal Frolics
Gerri Gurman’s Tai Chi Animal Frolics demonstrates a movement form that combines the principles of Tai Chi, with influences from an ancient style of health enhancing movement called, Animal Frolics. This lovely, flowing pattern is done to soothing music and promotes a sense of peace, calm, concentration, body awareness, and balance. In our performance, we will demonstrate the Tai Chi Animal Frolics and then invite members of the audience to practice the form with us. For more information contact: gerriqurman@yahoo.com,
608-833-5058.
•Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance Co.
perform fiery flamenco dances from southern Spain. Traditional pieces will be performed, some of which highlight rapid footwork, graceful arm and hand movements and the use of castanets, fans, and other props. For more information see the website http://www.flamencodance.net/.
• Trinity Irish Dance
Trinity Academy of Irish Dance is one of the most renowned Irish dance programs worldwide. The Trinity program centers on the empowerment of each child, with lessons focused on self-confidence and choice, allowing each child to decide their own level of participation. Students are never required to compete, but are always allowed the opportunity. Instructors use a noncompetitive teaching method that places children on a "journey" through Ireland, teaching the beauty of the dance form as well as cultural and life lessons along the way. For more information, call 877-326-2328 or visit www.trinityirishdancers.com.
• Troll Town Clowns
Expect Mt. Horeb's Troll Town Clowns to bring their own special brand of Outer Space Silliness to the circus ring when they combat Gravity and Anti-gravity in their antics and cavort through space in their usual carefree spirit. For more info about the Trolltown clowns, contact Jacob Mills: cheneyandmills@mailbag.com.
• V era Court Girl Neighborhood Power Drill Team
• Wisconsin Tibetan Association
The Wisconsin Tibetan Association was established by Tibetans in Madison as an organization to meet the growing Tibetan immigrant population. Our language, culture and traditions continue to be destroyed by the forced occupation of Communist China, since 1959. Tibetans are slowly becoming minorities in their own land. Thus, to focus on raising a generation of children in exile, we have established the Tibetan Language and Culture School where 53 students are taught Tibetan language, history, dance and music. Classes taught every Saturday. Contact: P.O. Box 5406,Madison WI 53705.
• Yonim
Yonim (Hebrew meaning doves, peace) is Madison's Israeli Folk Dance Performing Troupe. Dancers in grades K - 12 have fun and grow as a team while developing confidence, respect and responsibility. Yonim members share their enthusiasm for Israeli Folk Dance at 10 - 12 performances each season in Madison and around the Midwest. Israeli Folk Dance is a wonderful, culturally rich experience for both Jews and non Jews alike. Visit www.Yonim.org for information. Your feet can learn the steps, but only your spirit can dance!
• Zenn
Zenn is comprised of four talented 8th and 9th grade musicians from Milwaukee. All are members of the school’s jazz band ensembles, but it was their love of rock and roll that led to the formation of their own band two years ago. Ilan Blanck, lead guitarist, Sam Carneol, on bass, and Ilan Hirschman, on guitar and key board, have composed original songs for Zenn. They and fellow band member, Caleb Hunnicutt, drummer, look forward to sharing their passion for contemporary and classic rock with you. |
