The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Dance

Chappaqua’s Netra Easwaran Receives YoungArts Award for Accomplishments in Dance

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Netra Easwaran, a Junior from Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, New York, has received a 2022 YoungArts award in Dance. Netra has been recognized at the Merit level–the organization’s third-highest honor–and joins 720 of the most accomplished young visual, literary, and performing artists from throughout the county. Selected through the organization’s prestigious competition, YoungArts award winners, all 15–18 years old or in grades 10–12, are chosen for their caliber of artistic achievement by esteemed discipline-specific panels of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process.

YoungArts award winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive programs for artists in the United States, in which they will have opportunities for financial, creative, and professional development support throughout their entire careers. A complete list of the 2022 winners is available online at youngarts.org/winners.

“We are thrilled to announce this year’s YoungArts award winners–an extraordinary group of promising, accomplished young artists–and congratulate each of them on this exciting milestone in their artistic careers,” said Executive Director Jewel Malone. “YoungArts empowers artists to pursue a life in the arts beginning at the critical time when many are faced with decisions about life after high school. We are proud to support these young artists at the beginning of their journeys and look forward to becoming a resource for them at all stages of their careers.”

As a YoungArts award winner, Netra joins a distinguished group of accomplished artists such as Daniel Arsham, Terence Blanchard, Camille A. Brown, Timothée Chalamet, Viola Davis, Amanda Gorman, Judith Hill, Jennifer Koh, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Andrew Rannells, Desmond Richardson, and Hunter Schafer.

For the Best Summer Ever, Sign Your Child Up for Dance Camp at Logrea Dance Academy!

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The Logrea Dance Academy (LDA) is offering 4 weeks of dance, fun and learning – beginning July 13th.

Dance Camp at Logrea will take place three times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with different sessions for different age groups.

For ages 7 to 9, camp will take place from 9:30 a.m, to 12:30 p.m. For ages 10 to 12, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. These summer camp classes include training in ballet, jazz, creative movement, theater dance, dance history, conditioning, arts and crafts–and more!

And for your peace of mind, and the safety of students and staff, Logrea’s class sizes are limited for safe distancing–and all are required to wear face masks. Plus, all classes take place in their air quality-controlled studio.

LDA is also offering summer intensive classes to their LDA students to improve their individual technique, strength and flexibility, running from July 12th through August 6th. These classes are for LDA levels IV through C (Intermediate through Advanced.) They can be taken live or virtually, whichever you prefer. To see the summer intensive schedule, go to www.LogreaDance.com.

About LDA: Logrea Dance Academy has been providing dance education to the children of Westchester for 35 years. The school offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and theatre dance for students from ages 3 to adult.

The school is led by directors Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea, and associate director Nick Logrea. Beth Fritz-Logrea, joined the Metropolitan Opera at age 16, and subsequently became a soloist with the St. Gallen Stadt Theater and Graz Opera House in Austria. Jean Logrea began his formal training at Scoala de Coregrafie in Cluj Napoca and thereafter became a soloist with Opera Romana Ballet Company and the Graz Opera House in Austria. Nick Logrea is not only a classically trained dancer, but is also a Zumba Education Specialist, travelling the US and internationally teaching Master Classes – and appearing in fitness concerts in London, Australia and Prague, among others.

Additionally, LDA’s large faculty are professionals who have worked in the business – some from Broadway, others from prestigious dance companies, and many travel from NYC to teach LDA students.

The school is also the official school of the Westchester Ballet Company, where Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea serve as Artistic Directors.

Why expose children to the arts? Research shows it expands them in so many different ways – helping them acquire skills that can greatly impact their academic school success – and make them into more well-rounded adults. Students at LDA learn life lessons like discipline, poise, confidence, respect, teamwork, and perseverance. Many of LDA students have moved on to prestigious dance companies and Ivy League colleges. Some have taken their dance training and moved on to careers in musical theatre. But whether a student wants a career in dance, or just wants to dance for the joy of it, he or she will learn skills at Logrea that will last a lifetime. 

LDA is located at 2 Dale Avenue, Ossining, NY. For more information on Summer Dance Camp or Logrea Dance Academy, go to www.LogreaDance.com – or call us at 914-941-2939.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Halloweekend’ Event at the Irvington Theater Promises a Livestream of Spooky Surprises

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It started on Halloween six years ago…

That’s when Dou­glas Mc­Clure, John Mal­one, and a few of their friends dressed up as the Ra­mones and per­formed on North Dutcher Street where they live. Since then, the ritual has joyfully multiplied into a treasured Irv­ing­ton tra­di­tion: community bands providing their neighbors with a rock and roll soundtrack (and the accompanying light show) while trick-or-treaters and their families crowd the Village side streets to sing and dance along.

“We’ve got ar­chi­tects, psy­chol­o­gists, vet­eri­nar­i­ans, teach­ers, and tech­nol­ogy pro­fes­sion­als,” said McClure of the musicians who comprise each act. “It runs the gamut.”

Half Halloween concert finale at Irvington Theater on April 26, 2019, featuring local bands Wild Thyme, Lennon + Friends, Evil Eckar with special guest the Dirty Irv Horns, and the North Dutcher All Stars.
“The Cure” performing on North Dutcher Street, Halloween 2018. 
The audience was captivated by “Tom Tom Club” and “Talking Heads” at Irvington Theater’s Half Halloween Concert.
“Devo” (fronted by Doug McClure) at Irvington Theater’s Half Halloween Concert.
Downtown Irvington, just before Halloween’s musical magic begins.

The Halloween Bands (as they’ve been collectively dubbed) don’t let their moniker dictate their performance schedule; last spring, they came together for “Half Halloween,” a spectacular concert fundraiser on the Irvington Theater stage that thoroughly enchanted audience members of all ages. For the first time, four beloved bands were all in one place: Lennon + Friends, Wild Thyme, Evil Eckar, and the North Dutcher All-Stars. Local resident Rich Lobel made a wildly entertaining Master of Ceremonies, and the whole evening was replete with uncanny impersonations, impromptu aisle dancing, spooky surprises, and a karaoke contest that brought down the house. The Village of Irvington was abuzz for weeks, basking in the afterglow of such palpable community spiritedness and intergenerational celebration.

“Ever since that magical night, people always ask us if we made a movie of the show,” said participating musician Miyuki Furtado, who also serves on the Irvington Theater Commission. “Folks who missed it were so disappointed, and anyone who was there wishes they could see it again.”

That wish is about to come true. For the first time ever, Irvington Theater will stream this legendary concert for a one-night-only Halloweekend event – from their stoops to our stage, and now directly to you! Costumes, candy, and household watch parties are strongly encouraged.

Furtado says it’s the perfect time to revisit such a cathartic, live event: “Especially now, with so much uncertainty in the air, that night takes us back to a feeling not so long ago… when we could all gather together and share an incredible, creative community bond that made everyone on the stage and in the audience feel so welcomed, close, and inspired.”

This world premiere concert film will stream at 7:30pm on Friday, October 30. Purchase your ticket ($12 per household) to receive the viewing link and password at irvingtontheater.com/irvingtonanywhere. 

Irvington Theater is home to a diverse range of innovative programming that entertains, enlightens, and inspires, establishing itself over its 118-year history as the cultural heart of the Rivertowns. The theater continues its tradition with unprecedented reach with “Irvington Anywhere,” their entirely virtual fall season of short films, lively concerts, and classic celebrations. Irvington Anywhere is made possible thanks to the generous support of Eric Bernstein of Compass, Dobbs Ferry.

 

PHOTOS BY Paula Romanow Etzel

20 Local Dancers to Appear in 19th Year of MCD’s Nutcracker

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Twenty students from the Armonk Center for Dance will appear in MCD’s 19th annual Nutcracker at The Riverside Theatre in New York City December 6-8th, 2019.

Local dancers include Lily Auster, Dani Eder, Abby Eickelbeck, Kourtney Gann, Jillian Gendal, Ella Horowitz, Zoe Horowitz, Grace Kretzmer, Phoebe Miles, Jordyn Ogilvie, Brooklyn Ogilvie, Olivia Peters, Finnley Silverstein, Skylar Silverstein, Ainsley Sorenson, Kendall Sorenson, Charlotte Thielmann, Alexa Tusiani, Abbie Varco, and Emma Zhu will appear alongside an international cast of professional dancers in MCD’s Nutcracker! The dancers range in age from six- to 18-years old.

This holiday classic features dolls coming to life and soldiers and mice battling. Watch Clara journey through the land of Snowflakes to a land of Sweets where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy. This show is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Tickets are available by calling 212-870-6784 or by logging onto trtnyc.org/upcoming-shows.

PHOTOS BY RICHARD CONDE PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Why Westchester Dancers Have Thrived at Logrea Dance Academy for More Than Three Decades

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Talented faculty member Vivian Freking instructs students

A child’s first foray into the world of dance is a big milestone. Choosing the right studio is an important decision, depending on what type of training they wish to receive. Logrea Dance Academy in Ossining teaches not only dance skills, but also skills that will help children as they navigate their way through life.

Founded in 1986 by Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea, the academy provides training in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance. The two came about opening the studio in a serendipitous way. While home in NYC on vacation from dancing with the Graz Opera House in Austria, they noticed the name of Jean’s former ballet teacher on a building marquee. Stopping in to see her, she told the pair that a company and school in Westchester was in danger of closing unless it could find new directors. After much discussion, Beth and Jean decided to stay, become Artistic Directors of the Westchester Ballet Company (WBC) and open their own dance school – Logrea Dance Academy, which is the school of the WBC.

Classes Tailored to Each Student’s Strengths

Logrea offers classes to students as young as 3, with its Pre-Ballet program. Students 8 years and older are offered a brief evaluation to ensure proper class placement – with or without prior dance training. Private instruction is also available for new students so that they may be brought up to the level of their age group. As was the case for the daughter of Tara Bernzweig who said, “We had private lessons from Jean Logrea over the summer. He was kind enough to do this so she could catch up to girls closer to her age group. My daughter is now signed up for three classes this fall. Jean was amazingly patient and sees potential in her.”

Having danced her whole life, Fritz-Logrea always strives to instill the love of dance in her students. “In dance, you have to express emotion through the body without words. You have to interpret and tell the story through the music and choreography alone. Our students carry this kind of creativity and imagination into their own lives, no matter what the forum,” she states.

Training with Talented Faculty

The academy has a superb faculty of 19 including the Logrea’s son Nick. In the spring, Logrea Dance Academy presents a series of performances at SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center. In addition, WBC performances of the Nutcracker take place at the Westchester County Center each year (December 14 and 15, 2019). These in particular are a wonderful way to bring dance to children. “The audience is filled with many students who have never been exposed to the arts, or seen a live show before. You could hear a pin drop in the audience filled with well over 1,500 students – they are so enthralled. Especially in this age of technology and social media, it’s important to expose our children to the arts. Not just as participants, but as supporters and audience members. The impact of both is enormous,” says Fritz-Logrea.

Studies have shown that dance lessons have a positive impact on many facets of a child’s life including their confidence, discipline, creativity and development. As Fritz-Logrea says, “They acquire so many skills that greatly impact their academic school success — and make them into more well-rounded adults. As we tell our parents, whether your child wants a career in dance, or just wants to dance for the joy of it, he or she will learn life-skills at Logrea that will last a lifetime.” 

When speaking with Fritz-Logrea, you really feel that she and Jean share a passion of teaching dance to children and watching them succeed in dance and in life. As she reflects on the decision to open the academy on that day in 1986 she says, “That one moment totally changed our lives in extraordinary ways – and, hopefully, the lives of our many students, who have walked through our doors for the last 33 years.”