LOS ANGELES CITY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS,
DONLAVY DANCE COMPANY AND GUEST ARTISTS
SET TO PRESENT
“BACK 2 BASICS”

A Fund Raiser featuring new Solo works featuring Controversial Producing Director Choreographer Samuel Donlavy, Lycee International de Los Angeles-French American Schools and The Jay Nolan Donlavy Dance Team\with Guest Artists Alice Ngo, Will Cooper and Tobi Sackheim at the Denker Recreation Center on December 3rd @ 4:00pm.

Quoting the Los Angeles Times Dance Critic, Lewis Segal’s most recent review of Donlavy Dance Company’s Choreographer “Samuel Donlavy comeback from crisis,” continues its mission to create thought-provoking work whether political or social-economic while perusing its goal to educate its audiences through art. This December, under the umbrella title, “BACK TO BASICS,” Donlavy intentionally and consciously pushes audiences towards thought and community awareness. Joining Donlavy is the experimental Jay Nolan Donlavy Dance Team featuring individuals with developmental disabilities ranging from age 21 to 60, all, with varying disabilities. Though the showcase, “BACK TO BASICS” focuses on stepping back in time, to where there was no war, no lack of funding for artists and no fear. The showcase deliberatively brings individuals with disabilities to the forefront of America’s thinking. Donlavy states, “It’s a celebration of joy and dance, text and song for everyone.” Kids, the energetic and passionate individuals, Acclaimed Artists, Gospel Singers, and finally French Americans, both parent and child will untie in celebration of the year’s accomplishments.

“BACK TO BASICS,” will be a choreographic and narrative visit to new solo works like “The Beast Within” which attempts to raise questions of organized religion and self preservation while living under the Bush Administration. Donlavy states, “that there is a lot of poetry in the Bible.” Using Text from the Book of Revelations and music by Grammy Award Winning Artist, Madonna, “I just want to wake people up, provide some direction and leave the audience in thought.” The choreographic work “Pride lands” originally featured as part of the critically acclaimed full evening work “How Sammy Got His Groove Back” has been re-constructed and re-costumed under the design of Mimi Enadeghe for a full premiere.

Always on the edge Donlavy has set out to do what he does best. Set quite consciously in South Los Angeles, in an underserved artist community where demographics of our home site community venue are mostly Latinos and African Americans and families living within the ”poverty” stigma. It is Mr. Donlavy’s mission is to bring people and artist together for a common cause; “it’s a celebration and education through and making new friends and reunions and life lessons of each others culture and expertise. “BACK TO BASICS,” “Back to our roots, step one, step two…, Donlavy states, “the show is about JOY, united together for a current search, for fun, thought and leadership while crossing cultural barriers. And with the realizations we will participate willingly reaching a common goal alone, we stand…, but together we stand powerful.”

Since its 1993 inception the Donlavy Dance Company has performed in a number of highly respected local venues, including Los Angeles and San Diego presentations of “Black Choreographers Moving Toward the 21st Century”, the “Voices in Motion” concert series, the “Holiday on Modern” benefit series, as well as sold out performances at LACE and HIGHWAYS. The Year 2006 found Donlavy back on his dancing feet, one glowing Los Angeles Times review, several shows, currently choreography, performing and writing as his career in dance is leading towards DANCE and film. The Los Angeles Times Critic, Lewis Segal, Segal said, “[the company] colored the dancing so vibrantly that the company projected a thrilling emotional generosity that many of the best known touring ensembles lost long ago.”

“BACK TO BASICS,” will be presented with at the Denker Recreation Center located at 3570 South Denker on Sunday, December 3 at 4pm. Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Denker Recreation Center is located 2 blocks east of Western Avenue just South of Jefferson Boulevard. Reception and Food will begin at 3pm with following performance at 4pm. Tickets are $10.00 for general admission. Tickets are sold at a reduced rate of $5 for seniors, students with ID, and the surrounding Denker Community. E-reservations can be made online through SamuelDonlavy@msn.com. “BACK TO BASICS,” is Executive Produced by Samuel Donlavy and Co-Produced by Lily Shaw and Benita Dixon.
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