Reflections & Upcoming Shows
As the New Year begins, we look back at some of our 2018 highlights—and give you some sneak peeks for what’s to come in 2019!
2018 Reflections, 2019 Resolutions
Today, we reflect on a year filled with song, movement, and development, and look forward to a new year of celebration, performance, and travel.
As our friends know, The Vanaver Caravan is made up of a many moving pieces. We have robust dance programs for children and teens in the Hudson Valley; 35 years of enriching arts-education programs in schools across New York State; we have an umbrella in India called Shakti Caravan; and—of course—our international touring Company is always on the move.
What Has The Company Been Up To This Year?
We have been in development for our newest show, Turn Turn Turn: Celebrating Pete Seeger in Dance & Music, in celebration of Pete Seeger’s 100th Birthday this year!
See Turn Turn Turn on May 5th at the Bardavon Opera House. More details to come.
What Has Our Dance Institute Been Up To?
Our Caravan Kids and Youth Company have been growing steadily this past year. Our dancers just finished seven sold out performances of our holiday show, Into the Light, and are taking a well-deserved break!
In 2019, we are excited to…
Host the 29th Annual DanceFest 2019 - March 2nd (rain date March 3rd)
Perform with our entire Dance Institute at 29th Annual Beltane Festival - April 28th
We have TWO full weeks of Caravan Kids Week - July 8-12 & 15-19
SummerDance on Tour will take place on July 22-Aug 10
REGISTER NOW.
What Has Shakti Caravan Been Up To?
Three 2018 Shakti Caravan Teaching Tours:
January - February saw Bill & Livia teaching at the Akiyam School in Auroville, Pondicherry.
In April, Samantha and Brian Lawton and Joel Hannah taught at the Happy Hours School Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
In July, Bharat Verma traveled to New York to teach at SummerDance.
Two Upcoming Shakti Caravan Programs!
January - February 2019: Livia and Bill will return to the Akiyam school in Auroville and head to Udaipur to teach and perform with our friends, Sayari Roots of Gypsy.
April 2019 - Miranda ten Broeke will return to Udaipur to teach in schools and develop a performance on the site of the Shakti Academy.
What Have Our Schools Been Up To?
Our school programs are the cornerstone of what we do and we have had the honor to work in 19 schools this year. In 2018, we taught world dance and fostered cultural understanding to over 1200 students.
As always, we stand committed to our mission to inspire, through dance and music, the harmonious co-existence of world cultures and traditions, to promote peace and celebrate our humanity. Thanks for being a part of our mission and our community!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Fall Performance Previews
As the leaves change, The Vanaver Caravan is in a flurry of motion preparing for a full fall season of teaching, learning, and professional touring.
As the leaves change, The Vanaver Caravan is in a flurry of motion preparing for a full Fall season of teaching, learning, and professional touring.
THE COMPANY
The Company rehearsing to Pete Seeger's war protest song, "Big Muddy" from Turn Turn Turn. Image Copyright Lois Greenfield 2017.
The Company is preparing our newest production, Turn Turn Turn: Celebrating Pete Seeger in Dance & Music for a year of performances (keep your ears perked for tour dates!).
Looking to liven up up your Monday evening? Come see a short preview of the show.
What: THE NYS Presenters' Fall Arts Forum Performing Arts Showcase.
WHEN: This Monday Sept 25th - 7:30pm
WHERE: The Egg, Albany (1 Empire State Plaza, S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12203)
ADMISSION: FREE!
THE DANCE INSTITUTE:
Youth Company Graduates: Neve Parker & Alena Brocker, and dancer, Amelia Verderosa, perform "The Tarantella" at the Italian Festival. Kingston, NY, 2013.
FallDance classes are underway. This semester, Caravan Kids & Youth Company dancers are preparing new world dance repertoire for fall festivals and Holiday shows.
Catch the Caravan Kids in their first performance of the season!
WHAT: The Ulster County Italian American Foundation's Italian Festival
WHEN: Sunday Oct 8th, 11Am-7pm (Rain Or Shine)
Where: The Kingston Waterfront
ADmission: Free!
>>>Most classes are nearly full, but there is still one week left to register for FallDance.
Hey Community! We Thrive Because of You.
Make A One Time or Recurring Tax Deductible Donation Today!
Wishing You A Happy Autumn!
Springtime Updates: Faces of the Caravan
As the Caravan continues develop new material for our performance repertoire, we have also added some new faces to our company. This winter we had the chance to catch up with renowned dance photographer and . . .
Fresh Photos Just In Time For Spring
As the Caravan continues develop new material for our performance repertoire, we have also added some new faces to our company. This winter we had the chance to catch up with renowned dance photographer and long-time friend, Lois Greenfield, at her studio in Manhattan. Check out our favorite pics below!
Lois Greenfield Photo Shoot 2017:
Dancers and musicians featured above: Livia and Bill Vanaver, Gustavo Caldas, Isabel Cottingham, Carla Davis, Joel Hanna, Brian and Samantha Lawton, Rafal Pustelny, Evan Stover, Toby Stover, Miranda Ten Broeke, and Emily Vanston.
For more info about our company members (old and new!), visit our company bio page below.
Don't Miss the Discount, Signup for SummerDance Now
ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT FOR TO GET YOUR 10% EARLYBIRD SPECIAL *Ends April 18*
Get Tickets For The 27th Annual Beltane Festival
Join our Dance Institute as we welcome in the May at the Beltane Festival. Enjoy games, Renn-faire characters, local food and craft vendors, may-pole games, giant puppets, dancing, horse-back riding, story-telling, and sword-play at the whimsical Stone Mountain Farm. Dress up, always encouraged.
- Saturday April 29th (Rain-date Sunday April 30)
- Gates Open at 12pm, the Pageant Begins at 3:30pm
- Stone Mountain Farm, 310 River Road Ext, New Paltz, New York 12561. Festival Parking costs $15 and is very limited - we suggest taking the shuttle from the Rosendale Rec Center.
- Tickets: General Admission: $15 / Seniors and Teens (ages 11-17): $5 / Children: Attend free
Looking for Something Good To Do with Your Tax Return?
Contributing to the Caravan has never been so easy, or important. Consider making a one-time or recurring tax-deductible donation this spring so that we can continue our efforts to keep the arts in schools, and educate, inspire, and create cultural understanding among all people, regardless of color, gender, belief, or means.
Wishing You A Happy Spring!
More Than Just a Tribute
In this moment in history, Pete Seeger has been an inspiration to us dancers and musicians. Pete stood for people of every race, color, age, gender. He fought for equal rights. He worked tirelessly to fight climate change and raise awareness about the environment. He believed that the only way to create change was through love, art, and understanding.
A note from the Company about Turn Turn Turn: Tribute to Pete Seeger in Dance & Music
In this moment in history, Pete Seeger has been an inspiration to us dancers and musicians. Pete stood for people of every race, color, age, gender. He fought for equal rights. He worked tirelessly to fight climate change and raise awareness about the environment. He believed that the only way to create change was through love, art, and understanding. Song by song, he whittled away hatred and intolerance and showed people the powerful, lasting, and positive effect that music, dance, and celebration can have on a society. We stand with Pete today, and we will honor his vision towards peace with our every step we take and song we sing. Turn Turn Turn is not just a performance for us, it is part of a movement that this world needs now more than ever. We shall overcome.
In solidarity,
The Vanaver Caravan
