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(Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors) There were discoveries like the bold, evocative dances of Andrea E. Woods... Ms. Woods' dances looked like rituals for beautiful, young, black goddesses... - Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times
About
SOULOWORKS
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SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers is a modern dance company with a mission to create and perform group and solo works using dance, music, spoken word and multimedia as contemporary African American folklore. Woods is commited to performing in theaters was well as universities, community centers, schools and libraries.The dances have a generous worldview while centralizing and affirming a positive reflection of African Diasporic culture. Woods calls her dances SOULOWORKS because they are works from the heart, works from the soul.
Artistic Director Bio
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Artistic Director Bio
Artistic Director BioAndrea E. Woods, Artistic Director of SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers is a dancer/teacher/choreographer/video artist/percusionsit and a native of Philadelphia, where she began her dance training with Jean Williams at Germantown Dance Theater. She graduated magna cum laude from Adelphi University, holds an MFA in dance technology from The Ohio State University and an MAH in Caribbean Cultural Sutdies from SUNY Buffalo. She is on the faculty of the Duke University Dance Program teaching modern dance and dance for the camera. She calls her dances SOULOWORKS because they are works from the heart, works from the soul.PERFORMING Woods has danced with Clive Thompson, Leni Wylliams and Saeko Icinohe. She is a former dancer and rehearsal director of Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Co. (1989-1995). GRANTSWoods has received grants from: The Jerome Foundation, (NEFA) The National Dance Project, National Performance Network and Arts International. Andrea is an American Antiquarian Society Fellow.TOURING Her artistic work and research have taken her to, The Cannes International Danse Festival, Taiwan, Russia, Senegal, Morocco, Korea, Puerto Rico, Poland, Singapore, Belize, the Yucatan, Cuba and throughout the US. COLLABORATIONSShe has done collaborative works with musicians: Randy Weston, David Pleasant, Tiyé Giraud, Madeleine Yayodele Nelson and Philip Hamilton and spoken word artist, hattie gossett. DANCE FOR THE CAMERAWoods creates live performance works as well as videodances. Her videodances have been screened at BRIC (Brooklyn Information and Culture), Brooklyn Arts Exchange, BAAD, Brooklyn Museum of Art, MassMoCa, The Nasher Museum of Art and the Wexner Center. GUEST ARITSITShe has been guest faculty and/or choreographer at: Medgar Evers College, Howard University, Ohio University, Rhode Island College, California State University Long Beach, North Carolina School of the Arts, Hollins University, Sharah Lawrance, and Goucher College. She was faculty at New York University Tish School of the Arts teaching modern dance and she created the curriculum for Dance for the Camera course (2002-2007). IN ADDITIONAndrea has been on the American Dance Festival Faculty 2000 - 2007 and has served as Artistic Director of the Brooklyn based Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center 2007-2009. She is a staff writer for Attitude: The Dancer's Magazine and has played percussion with the NYC based group, WOMEN OF THE CALABASH and North Carolina's Beverly Botsford/DRUMS ALIVE! Woods calls her dances SOULOWORKS because they are works from the heart, works from the Soul.
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Press QuotesWoods in Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance CompanyAndrea E. Woods as performer with Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance CompanyDances with Brahms, performed with delicacy by Andrea E. Woods... resplendent in curved , fluid posturings. Her magisterial presence brought to mind the great days of Judith Jamison. -Phyllis Goldman, BackstageDances with Brahms, a solo that manages to celebrate and reveal its performer...Ms. Woods, a dancer of special softness and acuity, shares the stage with a Roman bust but it is really all her, the music, angles and soft curves navigating lush waters. -Jennifer Dunning, The New York TimesSOULOWORKSSweet Willie Mae, an innovative ensemble romp . . . what seems like chaos one minute turns into perfect unison at a blink.. . we still could have asked for more. - Lynn Felder, Winston- Salem Journal ...I would pay to see Woods do most anything... This virtuoso possesses a pure elasticity that transcends conventional dance techniques. - Wyatt Townley, Kansas City Star (Lincoln Center Out-Of-Doors) There were discoveries like the bold, evocative dances of Andrea E. Woods...Ms. Woods' dances looked like rituals for beautiful, young, black goddesses... - Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times Andrea E. Woods' solo, Uhuru Kwanza (Freedom) with superb accompaniment by pianist Randy Weston, was proud and self-possessed, embodying the strength, spontaneity and grace that makes her a standout in Jones' company. - Janice Berman, New York News Day The solo with which Woods opens Rite is a marvel of shape-shifting...folding over, jutting hips, stirring the air with arms that swing bonelessly from her shoulders. Her dancing, like Obo Addys music hints at African origin but looks completely invented. - Deborah Jowitt, Village VoiceSweet has all the celebratory lushness one would expect from a piece based on The Song of Songs... a rich, colorful and complex work... an evocative soundscape. - Susanna Sloat, Attitude Magazine Woods is a marvelous mover. Dancing for Bill T. Jones may have helped mold her beautiful slippery style . . . but everything she does looks original. Deborah Jowitt, The Village Voice Andrea E. Woods' long flexible back and powerful, velvety leg thrusts or sinkings into plié made some spectators whoop, but her Epitaph was no showpiece, it was a strong, somber dance based on a Countee Cullen poem - Deborah Jowitt, The Village Voice ...into this frenzy stepped Andrea E. Woods, like a soothing mother of peace. Cool and calming, her long limbs moved with fluidity and ease in Epitaph. - Cynthia Thomas, Houston Chronicle Uhuru Kwanza (Freedom) ...a work of utter conviction. She proved to be a dancer of emotional depth and technical assurance. Her sense of balance, in itself was absolutely breathtaking. - Jennie Schulman, Back Stage Ms. Woods created a moving work in Keva, The Journey . Dancers performed Woods' stirring choreography with all the reverence due it. - Jennie Schulman, Back Stage Andrea E. Woods embodied totemic female energy in Rite. - Chris Dohse, The Village Voice Sweet, Andrea E. Woods created a seamless, earth ritual for four dancers -Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times ( unpublished)blues wimmin: evidence of freedom, prelude to protest Most eloquently, Woods danced the very musical phrasing of Billie Holidays Lady Sings the Blues, moving her arms fluidly in unison to Holidays sweeping fluid blue notes, so that the dancer and music merged. When Bessie Smith sang. I got the world in a jug, the stoppers in my hand, Woods twirled a suitcase around triumphantly, balanced it over her head in an evocative gesture bespeaking strength and freedom. - Seth Rogovoy, The Berkshire EagleThe high point of the evening( Philip Hamilton Vocalscapes, Joyce Theater) in terms of dance was Andrea Woodss solo, Lagos Lullaby, backed up by singers Mary Wormworth and Treva Offutt, who soothe and incite her as she pulls dancing through her body like silk and ties it off with arresting vigor. - Deborah Jowitt, The Village VoiceAndrea E. Woods may be essentially a solo performer--as Souloworks, the punning title of her enterprise, indicates--but she has a steady partner in the rhythmically cut, boldly angled video footage she creates as accompaniment. -Tobi Tobias, The Village Voice
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CLASS AND WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONSWoods is available as a guest teacher or choreographer, for master classes and residencies. Teaching PhilosophyThe primary excitement of dance is the human body. Everything from physical and emotional to intellectual and spiritual sensation is perceived, translated and expressed through the body; the delicate yet complex landscape we chose to explore as dancers. Teaching is an opportunity to facilitate and environment for making movement, deepening and enriching the bodys personal resources. I teach with and emphasis on internal and musical rhythm, weight, balance, dynamic changes, speed, tranquility, exhilaration and rest. Discovering organic and earthy sensibilities in class includes recognizing ourselves as individuals within the community/group. Everything we need in the quest for movement sensation is already contained within.Modern Dance Technique Class Andrea E. Woods/technique class is an independent dancer/choreographer/teacher and artistic director of SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers. She is a former dancer/rehearsal director with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. and teaches modern dance technique with a strong rhythmic physicality and organic, subtle movement based on her unique movement invention which is informed by her work Bill T. Jones, SOULOWORKS repertory and dance reflective of the African Diaspora social and cultural experience.Dance for the Camera Lecture-Demonstrations Woods presents several of her works and engages audience in discussion regarding: the creative and technical process, aesthetics, concepts and themes represented in the work. Audience participated in informal visual exercises which are used to bring awareness to "seeing" more deeply into the works. With adequate time and space Woods may perform a short work accompanied by video. Works by other video artists may be screened as well.
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SOULOWORKS Performance/Teaching/Screening Calendar
• Friday November 11 & Saturday November 12 _ 8 PM, 2011"NOVEMBER DANCES" Duke University Dance ProgramReynolds Industries Theater, Duke University West Campus Bryan CenterProgram will include new choreography by Andrea E. Woods to music by Randy Weston. See rehearsal preview - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnLZgoNoWpstks./info: www.tickets.duke.edutks: General $15, students w/ID $5, Seniors $10• August 8-12, 20112nd Annual SOULOWORKS Technique and Repertory Workshop in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico¡SOULOWORKS Segundo taller de danza contemporania y repertorio¡Where: Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular San Juan, Puerto Rico M-F 7:30-9:30 PMClass/Registration Details contact Anamaría Amador: anamadanza_gmail.com or Andreaewoods_aol.comInterviews w/Andrea in P.R. 2010http://www.elnuevodia.com/danzarhastaencontrarse-747010.htmlhttp://vocero.com/escenario/arte-y-cultura/9290-danza-para-unificar.htmlAndrea E. Woods is the artistic director of SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers. As a modern dancer, her dancers are inspired by blues, jazz, Afro-Cuban and Afro-American folkloric music, and movement reflective of the Afro-Latino Diaspora social and cultural experience. The workshop will focus on Woods original dance movement system and fragments from SOULOWORKS repertory. The week will culminate in an open class and showing to which friends and family are invited. Classes will be accompanied by live music. Andrea E. Woods es la director artística de SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers. Como una bailarina moderna, sus coreografías son inspiradas por la música de blues, el jazz, la música Afro-cubano y la experiencia social y cultural de la diáspora Afro-latina. El taller se centrará en el sistema original de movimiento de Woods y selecciones del repertorio de SOULOWORKS. La semana culminará en una clase abierta y una exhibición la cuál amigos y familiares son invitados. Las clases estarán acompañadas de música en vivo.2011• July 15 and 16 _ 7:30 PM 2011 Summer Stage, Concord MassechusettsAndrea performs as part of a Jones/Zane alumni Concertw/Arthur Aviles, Alexandra Beller, Seán Curran, Larry Goldhuber. Heidi Latsky, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater, ICA/Boston, MassPerformance details - http://www.summerstagesdance.org/performances/meet.htmlMaster class details - http://www.summerstagesdance.org/programs/workshop.html• Sunday May 1 2011Andrea performing as part of the Performance Mix Festival, NYC25TH ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE MIX FESTIVAL 201125 past New York City Performance Mix Artists perform for 3 minutes to a commissioned score by Alexis OHara (Montreal)tks. www.dixonplace.orgFull program: http://newdancealliance.org/performance-mix-festival/• Friday and Saturday April 22-23 _ 8PM 2011"ChoreoLab"Duke University Dance ProgramReynolds Industries Theater, Duke University West Campus Bryan CenterProgram will include performance by Andrea E. Woods tks./info: www.tickets.duke.edutks: General $15, students w/ID $5, Seniors $10• Friday March 18, 3 PM 2011Andrea E. Woods master class at Spellman College, Atlanta Georgia• Thursday February 17, 11-12:20 AM 2011Western Piedmont Community College, Leviton AuditoriumAndrea Black Histoy Month Solo Concert At the Soul Level: Dances to Celebrate the Spirit and the SoulFree, open to the public• Saturday February 12, 7:30 PM 2011blues wimmmin and Other Performance and Video works by Choreographer Andrea E. Woods & Dancers, Featuring dancers: Danika Manso-Brown, Christiana Barnett-Murphy, Kristin Taylor and Andrea E. Woods. With musical guest Shana Tucker and Josh Stohl. Ark Main Studio, Duke East Campus, Durham, NC (Enter at Trintiy & Buchanan)Tks$10/students&seniors$5• Saturday, January 29_ 8 PM and Sunday, January 30 _ 4 PMThe Hatian Student Alience presents a Benefit Performance for HaitiFeatruing Gaspard & Dancers w/spectial guest soloist, Andrea E. WoodsReynolds Industries Theater, Duke University West Campus Bryan Centertks/info http://tickets.duke.edu/show.asp2010• Saturday November 20 _ 8PM & Sunday November 21 _ 3 PM, 2010"NOVEMBER DANCES"Duke University Dance ProgramReynolds Industries Theater, Duke University West Campus Bryan CenterProgram will include new choreography by Andrea E. Woods to music by the Carolina Chocolate Dropstks./info: www.tickets.duke.edutks: General $15, students w/ID $5, Seniors $10• November 10-13 2010Little Green Pig Theater presents HARRIET JACOBS by Lydia R. DiamondManbites Dog Theater, Durham NC 8:15 PM, TKS. $12-17 Info http://www.manbitesdogtheater.org/show/A lyrical, moving adaptation of Jacobs American classic, Incidents In the Life of a Slave Girl. Director: Dana Marks, Choreography: Andrea E. Woods, Featuring Alphonse Nicholson, Marilynn H. Rison, Tara-Whitney Rison & Amaris WhitakerDesigned by Geraud Staton• July 26-30 20101st Annual SOULOWORKS Technique and Repertory Workshop in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico¡SOULOWORKS Primer taller de danza y repertorio¡Interviews w/Andrea in P.R.http://www.elnuevodia.com/danzarhastaencontrarse-747010.htmlhttp://vocero.com/escenario/arte-y-cultura/9290-danza-para-unificar.htmlWhere: Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular San Juan, Puerto RIco M-F 7:30-9:30 PMClass/Registration Details contact Anamaría Amador: anamadanza_gmail.com or Andreaewoods_aol.comAndrea E. Woods is the artistic director of SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers. As a modern dancer, her dancers are inspired by blues, jazz, Afro-Cuban and Afro-American folkloric music, and movement reflective of the Afro-Latino Diaspora social and cultural experience. The workshop will focus on Woods original dance movement system and fragments from SOULOWORKS repertory. The week will culminate in an open class and showing to which friends and family are invited. Classes will be accompanied by live music. Andrea E. Woods es la director artística de SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers. Como una bailarina moderna, sus coreografías son inspiradas por la música de blues, el jazz, la música Afro-cubano y la experiencia social y cultural de la diáspora Afro-latina. El taller se centrará en el sistema original de movimiento de Woods y selecciones del repertorio de SOULOWORKS. La semana culminará en una clase abierta y una exhibición la cuál amigos y familiares son invitados. Las clases estarán acompañadas de música en vivo.• May 8, 2010 6 PMChoreographic Sketches, the Demystification ExperienceWeb Radio Interview Hosted by Joanna w/Andrea E. Woods Listen to WebRadio Interview anytime (1hr)http://www.blogtalkradio.com/csketches/2010/05/08/andrea-e-woodssouloworks-1http://www.blogtalkradio.com/csketches• April 27, 201011AM -12 PM - Beverly Botsford/DRUMS ALIVE!Woods plays percussion with percussionist Beverly BotsfordUNC Library, Chapel Hill, NChttp://www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/news/index.php/2010/04/drums-program/ • Saturday April 24 _ 8PM and Sunday April 25_3 PMChoreolab - Duke University Dance Program ConcertReynolds Industries Theater, Duke University West Campus Bryan CenterProgram will include new choreography by Andrea E. Woods "The Water Brings Us Here"tks./info: Box Office, Duke Dance Program: http://tickets.duke.edu/default.asp tks: General $15, students w/ID $5, Seniors $10 Choreolab Preview! http://choreolab2010.wordpress.com/• Saturday April 24, 2010Nasher Museum Experimental Film Festival "Light Moving in Time" 1-:4:30Woods video work, Waxing and Waning, will be screened along with works by guest David Gatten and others.http://fvd.aas.duke.edu/images/AMI_4-24_LightMovingInTime_sm.pdf About Waxing and Waning: http://sites.google.com/site/souloworks/Home/dance-for-the • Sunday, April 3, 2010 Across The Threshold: Symposium on Creativity, Being & HealingDuke University East Campus Ark BuildingAndrea performing solo dance on evening concert, Movement, Memory & Music: A Mosaic of Transcultural Performance at 7 PMfor registration see:http://danceprogram.duke.edu/threshold/registrationAll day participation $25.00, performance only $10.00, students $5.00This Symposium continues a highly interdisciplinary journey designed to joinscholars and practitioners from many fields to explore the transformative pathshumans have discovered/created through performance, spiritual/religious/ritualpractices, and healing practices.2009• Thursday November 19, 2009, 11:25 AMDuke University Divinity School (West Campus, Durham NC)Ariel Ramierez's Misa CriollaFeaturing the Divinity Choir w/percussion by John Hanks, Beverly Botsford and Andrea E. Woods Valdés• Saturday October 34, 200911 AM, Community Dance Event, Free, all are welcome to participate!!City Center, Farmer's Market, Durham, NC(Percussion: A. E. Woods)• Saturday November 21 _ 8PM & Sunday November 22 _ 3 PM"NOVEMBER DANCES"Duke University Dance ProgramReynolds Industries Theater, Duke University West Campus Bryan CenterProgram will include choreography and performance by Andrea E. Woodsfor tks./info see: Box Office, Duke Dance Program: http://tickets.duke.edu/default.asp tks: General $15, students w/ID $5, Seniors $10• Wednesday, October 28, 2009 7 PMOhio State Alumni Dance for the Camera ScreeningSullivant Theater, Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St. Columbus OhioScreening will include "Blue in Tunisia/Dance in a Window", a videodance solo by Andrea E. Woods with music by the legendary pianist/composer, Randy WestonTickets at the door. $10 general admission, $5 senior citizens, students, and anyone with a BuckID.see flyer: http://dance.osu.edu/blog/downloads/danceoncamera_poster_2009.jpg• Tuesday, June 23 2009SOULOWORKS performing at Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center 2009 series, Souls of Our Feet: People of Color Dance FestivalWomen Dancemakers - Tuesday June 23, 7:30 PMKumble Theater (on the campus of LIU) Atlantic and Flatbush, BrooklynTks. $15/Students and Seniors $12Purchase Tks. http://kumbletheater.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=192218 Kumble Box Office 718-488-1624Also performing on this evening: Camille Brown, Sidra Bell, Sita Fredrick, Francesca Harper Project and Nejla YatkinFor full series informationwww.thelmahill.com SOULOWORKS will be performing a new work titled "I Got Wings" with dancers: Naoko Morita, Kendra Ross, Rohitou Siby, Candace Thompson and Andrea E. Woods
SOULOWORKS in reheasal 2009
Photo: Alfonso Holston
Dancers: Morita, Woods, Siby, Thompson
Portfolio
SOULOWORKS Photo Gallery by: Nan Melville, Tim Hawkings, Steve Schreiber and Alfonso Holston move cursor right to scroll
souloworks gallery
Woods
"Soft Words"
D. Arceneaux A. Woods M. Clark
Ebony Ruffin
"Molibongue"
Woods
Rite by Al Holston
Woods Self Portrait
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SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers
for booking/mailing list/info contact:
andreaewoods_aol.com
SOULOWORKS/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers
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