Harlem Dance Theater Continues Sunday Matinee

 NEW YORK - The Dance Theatre of Harlem will continue
its monthly Open House Series on Sunday, January 9. Now called
Sunday Matinées, the performance will take place at 3:00PM at the
Everett Center for the Performing Arts.

Hosted by Artistic Director, Virginia Johnson and Executive Director,
Laveen Naidu the January Sunday Matinee will honor Assemblyman
Herman D. Farrell Jr. Featured performances will include presentations
by saxophonist Eric Person and Metamorphosis, the Manhattan School
of Music, and the Harlem Dance Works 2.0 series. In addition,
The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble will perform a world-premiere
piece directed by David Fernandez. The program will be followed by a
reception with the artists where refreshment will be served.

Eric Person is an alto and soprano saxophone player and leader of
Meta-Four and Metamorphosis. Since coming to New York City in 1982,
Person has performed with a who's who list of legends on the jazz and
rock scene. He's performed and recorded with jazz masters: McCoy
Tyner, Dave Holland, Chico Hamilton, John Hicks and World
Saxophone Quartet. In rock, funk and world music: Vernon Reid,
Ben Harper, Ofra Haza and Bootsy Collins. Person is also on over
forty recordings as a leader and sideman. Because of Person's eclectic
musical experience, he's considered a musician for almost any genre
Manhattan School of Music set in one of the world's greatest cities,
Manhattan School of Music has contributed to the vibrant culture of
New York City for over 85 years. It is one of the premier private
music conservatories in the nation, with nearly 275 faculty members
dedicated to shaping over 800 students from 40 countries into
world-class musicians.

Harlem Dance Works 2.0 is a dance laboratory to develop new work and
engage audiences both in person and online in the creative process. The
two year initiative will present multifaceted public projects intended to
create shared meaning around the creation of new works by combining
dance artists, scholars, active audience participants, and the innovative
use of technology. Along with studio showings, vibrant interactive arts
experiences will be fostered via social media, webisodes, blogging and
online content.

Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble, a 16 member company comprised
of younger dancers trained in the DTH style is currently performing on
its 2010 national tour. The Ensemble presents a unique artistic/
educational performance package together with Master Classes and
other educational services to audiences that would otherwise be
excluded because of economic and geographical circumstances. The
goal of the project is to expand greater audience awareness and
involvement in classical ballet. The production is notable for its
audience interaction; live music and educational,
artistic, and inspirational content.

About the Sunday Matinée
Since its inception, Dance Theatre of Harlem has welcomed neighbors near
and far to high-quality Open House performances. These performances
included presentations by students from their school, the Dance Theatre of
Harlem Ensemble and special guest artists. Now called Sunday Matinées,
the performances will take place at 3:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of each
month from November 2010 through April 2011 and the third Sunday of May.
Each Sunday Matinée will be followed by a Meet-the-Artist reception.

The Open House Series has been a staple program of Dance Theatre of
Harlem since its inception. As part of DTH’s community outreach initiatives,
the Open Houses provide high quality performances by the students of the
Dance Theatre of Harlem School and the Dancing Through Barriers
Ensemble®, the performing arm of the DTH School, andspecial guest
performers. Performances are held at 3:00 p.m. each month from November
through May, and include a post-performance reception. DTH’s Open House
Series allows community members who would not otherwise have access to
DTH performances, the opportunity to view and appreciate the arts at more
than a fraction of the actual ticket price.

In years past special guests have included Councilman Robert Jackson,
Daniel Beatty, Phyllis Stickney, the United Nations Children’s Choir;
American Ballet Theater’s Studio Company; Ruby Dee Davis; Percussionist,
Edwina Tyler, Sidra Bell Dance NY; Lotus Music and Dance; Tania Leon;
Kitty Carlisle Hart; and Carmen deLavallade to name a few.

Dance Theatre of Harlem is located at 466 West 152nd Street in a
newly-designated landmark district in Harlem. The historic site houses dance
studios used by both the Company and the School.