(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Dance New Jersey presents DNJFest '24 on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. This is a statewide convergence for NJ dance students and professionals to dance, learn, and network in celebration of dance and the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. The event runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
DNJFest ‘24 gathers hundreds of dancers from around the state for classes, professional development workshops, auditions, community roundtables, and a wellness-centered vendors market.
“We have created a festival with something for everyone, filled with opportunities and support services for High School and College dancers and their parents, shared learning, professional development for educators, and recruitment and networking opportunities for member companies and higher education institutions. Dance New Jersey’s mission is to sustain a diverse and equitable dance community in our state, and DNJFest ‘24 is a dynamic and representational expression of that mission. At DNJFest ‘24, everybody is invited to the dance!” said Sarah Weber Gallo, Executive Director of Dance New Jersey.
“Dance New Jersey helps in creating opportunities to share and learn with students, families and our communities: make an impact.” - Nanette Hernandez - 2024 Dance to Learn grantee, 2023 mini-grant awardee.
Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts is located at 85 George Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
AGENDA
9:00am-9:30am - Registration
MORNING BLOCK A - 9:30am-10:45am
9:30am-10:45am - First Look Auditions - High School. High School dancers will have the opportunity to take an audition-style Contemporary Fusion class in front of a panel of New Jersey college and university dance representatives. This audition class is intended to help build audition skills, mitigate anxiety, promote intergenerational networking, and give students the opportunity to be seen by area college recruiters prior to formal audition processes in a low-stakes, supportive environment.
9:30am-10:40am - Bollywood class with Shehnaaz. Open-level Bollywood practice and discussion class with Shehnaaz from Shehnaaz Dance Academy located in Jersey City.
9:30am-10:40am - Salsa class with Mario “B” Gonzalez. Open-level Salsa and Latin Dance class with Mario B Gonzalez of Salsa Fever On2 Dance Academy located in Jersey City.
9:45am-10:45am - Non-Profit Convergence. Featured guests Black Dance Changemakers host a community roundtable discussion about their movement to empower black dancers everywhere and issues facing the sector, including best practices and tactical solutions.
MORNING BLOCK B - 11:00am-12:15pm
11:00am-12:15pm - First Look Audition - College/Pre-Pro. College students nearing graduation and pre-professional and professional level dancers are invited to audition informally for a panel of NJ area professional companies in a low-stakes, supportive environment. This is an opportunity for companies to get an early look at emerging talent and for dancers to build resilience around auditioning.
11:00am-12:10pm - West African Dance with Karen Love. Open-level West African class with live music from Umoja Dance Company, located in Vauxhall, NJ.
11am-12:10pm - Capoeira Workshop with Mestre Gaivota. Open-level Capoeira class with David Morgan, founder of the Afro Brazilian Cultural Center of New Jersey, located in Bloomfield, NJ.
11:15am-12:15pm - Dance Educators Convergence. Featured Guest: Darryl McDaniels from Run-D.M.C hosts. Studio and K-12 Educators for a lively discussion about the history and future of Hip Hop education in this welcome in-person version of our virtual community calls, during which we foster resource sharing and ongoing professional development.
LUNCH 12:15-1:00pm. Lunch Boxes are included with Member Admission and can be ordered upon registration.
The Vendors and Wellness Market will be open in the upstairs flex space for shopping, networking, and support throughout the day.
AFTERNOON SPOTLIGHT ARTIST BLOCK 1:00-3:00pm
Visionary Hip Hop artist Rennie Harris brings his unique Rennie Harris University movement practice and core curriculum to New Jersey!
“Founded on the principles of the 5th Element of Hip-hop “Knowledge,” Rennie Harris University seeks to reclaim the culture by re-educating the masses about the fundamental beliefs of Hip-hop culture which reaches beyond color, race, ethnicity, gender or religion. I’d like to personally thank you for becoming a part of history and for being a part of the reclaiming of Hip-hop's mission by reaffirming its organic and humanistic narrative.”
3:00pm - End of Day!
POST SESSION Post-Professional Learning Survey
Dance New Jersey creates opportunities for the New Jersey dance community to connect, learn, and share resources to keep dance thriving in our state. By cultivating wide diverse participation across the spectrum of dance styles and professional roles, Dance New Jersey seeks to build an equitable, inclusive community that elevates the role of dance in New Jersey's creative landscape. Members are encouraged to cooperate and collaborate to promote the success and vitality of our art form.
