Upcoming Events
TBA -- check back in soon!
Ongoing Projects
Senses
A 3-part dance film exploring sight, sound, and touch. Directed by Lena Josef, with music by Jacqueline Westerduin and Sarah Owens. Videography by Raishad Hardnett. Featuring dancing by Poético dance collective members. |
String of Pearls
An interactive dance film and production directed by Jena Rose Barton, with original composition by Benja Newnam and Ben Cohen. Featuring dancing by Benja Newnam, Ben Cohen, Nicky Westerduin, and Catherine Westerduin. |
Past Events and Projects
Walking Each Other Home
A Fringe Festival participating show (September 25, 2022) Inspired by "Walking Each Other Home: Conversions on Loving and Dying," a title by guru Ram Dass, this production explored themes of renewal, hope, and community. Poético members were accompanied by Youth members, with live music by David Dzubinski. Donations benefitted Project Home: www.projecthome.org Poppies
A Fringe Festival participating video (September 2021) Inspired by Mary Oliver's poem and performed by Poético members, this piece was a submission to the annual Philly Fringe Festival. Work in Progress:
A Poético Virtual Showcase (May 15, 2020) This virtual showcase features submissions from Philadelphia-area artists. The theme is "Work in Progress," and invited artists to submit work that was interrupted or impacted by COVID-19, or work they created during the early days of the quarantine. Though isolated and facing a global pandemic, these virtual works of art speak to the power of self-expression, resilience, and adaptability in the face of adversity. Trailer by Poético member Benja Newnam. Platform designed by member Sarah Owens. Donations benefitted Black Lives Matter, Philadelphia Chapter blacklivesmatter.com Writ in Water
A Poético Showcase (Aug. 25, 2019) A performance themed after the epitaph of John Keats, "Here lies one whose name was writ in water," this showcase featured art about the ephemeral. Featuring student and professional dances based on memories and dreams, improvisation and breath, we felt this show in our hearts. Donations benefitted Protecting Our Waters: protectingourwaters.wordpress.com |
Sól
A Poético Showcase (April 16, 2022) A youth and professional dance showcase inspired by Sól, the Germanic god of the Sun! This spirited, eclectic performance featured youth and professional dancers in addition to our talented Poético members. Donations benefitted the International Medicine Core's Ukraine relief efforts: internationalmedicalcorps.org Fresh Juice
Hosted by The Mascher Space Collective (June 27, 2021) This year's Fresh Juice performance was an exhibition of new work from Mascher’s Artists-in-Residence like us. This was our first in-person event that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we were excited to perform a dance piece choreographed by our own Olivia Brown titled Mi Shebeirach. Performers included Olivia Brown, Catherine Westerduin, Sarah Owens, Heather Robinson, and Kate Pellegrini. Lost in Space
A Poético Virtual Production (May 15, 2020) Though the pandemic of 2020 was keeping Poético members apart, we found a way to unite through art. Video editing by Poético member Olivia Brown. Donations to Black Lives Matter, Philadelphia Chapter blacklivesmatter.com Momentum
A Poético Showcase (June 2019) Poético's first live performance, Momentum channelled the driving force of all dancers. This spirited performance set the standard for the quality, variety, and creativity of all shows to come! Donations benefitted Women Against Abuse: www.womenagainstabuse.org |
Time Machine
A Fringe Festival participating show (September 18, 2021) Time Machine was Poético's first all-cast in-person performance of 2021! Held at Fidget Space on a Saturday evening, this immersive performance played with time, often incorporating moments of improvisation and chance encounters. Within We Rise
Hosted by the Dressember Foundation (December, 2020) This short dance film celebrates the triumph of the human spirit. Inspired by the Dressember Foundation, which raises awareness and funds to put an end to human trafficking, this dance brings Poético members together on the virtual scene once more. This video was aired during Upper Merion Dance & Gymnastics Center's annual fundraising showcase, and can be viewed below. This film was filmed and danced by members of Poético Dance Collective and edited by member Olivia Jenna Brown. Original song "Distance" by Tayuku Music. Carnaval
A Poético Showcase (March 1, 2020) Inspired by the rhythms of Brazil and South America, this showcase spotlighted 'Batalá Philadelphia,' a Samba Reggae percussion band with chapters all over the world. This showcase featured works by local artists, and the celelbration never stopped. Donations benefitted the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: www.redcross.org.au |