#InTheLoop | Queens Theatre Inaugurates Outdoor Stage with Tap Dance Weekend
BY QEDC It's In Queens
Queens Theatre is getting an outdoor summer stage!
This calls for celebrations with live music, dance, and joy, starting with the world premiere of Dorrance Dance’s …Praise: The Inevitable Fruit of Gratitude on Friday, July 9, at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, July 10, at 2 pm and 7:30 pm.
All three shows are free, but tickets are required.
NYC-based Dorrance Dance is an award-winning tap troupe that strives to share the African-American art form through performance and education. It was founded by MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Michelle Dorrance in 2011.
…Praise: The Inevitable Fruit of Gratitude is a journey through rhythmical expression of appreciation created by company member Josette Wiggan-Freund in collaboration with jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold.
“It is my first full-length collaboration with a dance company as the sole composer, so it is a special one,” Harrold stated. “Seeing my compositions inspire Josette’s unbelievable movement is like the visceral miracle of birth; born from love and hope! I am eternally excited to share this work.”
Located a few yards from Queens Theatre’s main facility in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the new stage will be up until Aug. 7. Soon, Queens Theatre will announce the other shows in this outdoor season, which receives support from Con Edison.
Top image: Queens Theatre; bottom image: Josette Wiggan-Freund/Ron & The Red Beans