ARTPARK & MODERN DISPOSAL SERVICES PRESENT: POWER OF NIAGARA A celebration of arts, nature and a sustainable future On this special day, Artpark &Company and Modern Corporation are announcing a joint commitment toward making Artpark a more sustainable place for nature, art and performance. Join us in celebrating the energy savings achieved through sustainable lighting replacements! With an understanding of the impacts of our decisions on the environment, we endeavor to transform our practices to be the best partners along with artists and park visitors to pass on a thriving and sustainable Artpark to the next generation! Featuring: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by JoAnn Falletta Jon Lehrer Dance Company “Branché” by Cirque Barcode & Acting for Climate Montreal Buffalo String Works August 21, 2021 “BRANCHÉ” by CIRQUE BARCODE & ACTING FOR CLIMATE MONTREAL Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 5:30 PM Artpark Emerald Grove ACTING FOR CLIMATE MONTREAL Acting for Climate Montréal is a company created in 2019 whose mission is to work towards a more sustainable future by combining performing arts and environmentalism. To achieve this, the group reimagines the way their art is practiced to find concrete solutions to environmental challenges. Through performances in nature the artists reconnect with their local environment and encourage spectators to see the nature that surrounds them in new light, to appreciate it, and therefore to protect it. By advocating mutual aid and the strength of community, they aim to inspire their audiences to act for a more sustainable future. https://www.actingforclimate.com/copy-of-about-us CIRQUE BARCODE Cirque Barcode was founded with a vision of unifying high- caliber circus with a new style of theatrical storytelling, as well as with a goal of sustainable touring. After performing for numerous companies, television shows and live performances around the world and winning multiple awards for their acts, in 2019 they made their first show Sweat & Ink, followed soon after by Branché. Besides continuing to redefine how circus can be performed, they continue to examine how the circus community can contribute to the sustainability movement, working to raise awareness of the climate crisis through their art. https://www.barcodecircuscompany.com Creative Team Outside eye: Emilie Emiroglou, Maxim Laurin Music: Olivier Landry-Gagnon Acrobatic coaching: Jerome Lebeau Costume Design: Geneviève Delage Performers: Eric Bates, Tristan Nielsen, Nathan Biggs-Penton, Eric Brown, Anna Soltys Morse, Sorrell Nielsen, Shena Tschofen, Heidi Blais “THE POWER OF NIAGARA” by JON LEHRER DANCE COMPANY Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 7:00 PM Artpark “Niagara 1979” Painted Lot “The Power of Niagara” A world premiere tribute to the power, beauty, and awe-inspiring glory of Niagara! CREDITS Choreography - Jon Lehrer Dancers - Cristiana Cavallo, Gabrielle DiNizo, Kristen Hedberg, Myles Mungo, Mamiko Nakatsugawa, Patrick Piras, Nathan Rommel, Richard Sayama Music - (in order) - Away Game, Abundance of Rain, Seems, 15 Minutes Part III, Angelstyle, Storms of Early Summer by CORDIS - Through The Storm an original, world premiere, music composition by Zeno Pittarelli Costumes - Laura Vanner Set Design - Dyan Burlingame BIOS Jon Lehrer Dance Company Jon Lehrer started his company in 2007 in Buffalo, NY and has received critical acclaim nationally and internationally. Under his artistic direction, the company showcases Jon's unique choreography and embodies his definitive style. His extensive background in both the modern and jazz dance idioms fosters choreography that is organic, artistic, accessible and often humorous, reflecting life experience and the human condition. The company’s expressive style is based on three main elements of movement - Circularity, 3- Dimensionality, and Momentum - which combine to create a form that is best described as “Organically Athletic”. With creativity, athleticism, and the ability to make new and innovative modern and jazz dance accessible to all audiences, the company has made quite a name for themselves in the dance world. Striking the elusive balance between art and entertainment, Jon Lehrer Dance Company showcases unique choreography and a fun, distinctive style which fuses jazz and modern dance, creating a true spectacle onstage which can be enjoyed by dance experts and novices alike. Based in NYC since 2019, JLDC continues to tour extensively, bringing their trademark artistic, athletic, and accessible style to audiences worldwide. Dance Magazine praised “the company took the house not so much by storm as by quantum physics,” and Galerie Ortenau in Offenburg, Germany declares, “Dynamic, Powerful, Elegant – brings an absolute passion for the dance.” www.jonlehrerdance.com Jon Lehrer Jon Lehrer is from Queens, NY and took his very first dance class on a dare at age 19 at the University at Buffalo, where he ultimately received his BFA in Dance. As a professional, Jon had an illustrious and eclectic career dancing with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Paul Sanasardo, John Passafiume Dancers, in Merv Griffin's "Funderful" and the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. In 1997, Jon began dancing with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and after only three years was promoted to Rehearsal Director and then given the position of Associate Director two years later. During his ten years with Giordano, Jon also became the resident choreographer, creating seven original works on the company that received rave reviews all around the world. Jon has choreographed for several professional dance companies and universities all over the country. He teaches master classes throughout the U.S. and around the world, having been on faculty at Dance Masters of America, Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Teacher Summer Conference, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM), Chautauqua Institution, Florida Dance Educators Organization, and Florida Dance Masters to name a few. Jon has received many awards and honors, including the University at Buffalo Zodiaque Dance Company Distinguished Alumni Award, CNADM’s Artistic Achievement Award, University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award, and the “Rising Star” SPARK Award for being an integral part of Buffalo’s thriving arts and cultural community. Dancers: Cristiana Cavallo (Rehearsal Director) is from Utica, NY and began dancing at the age of 3. She received her training from local and guest artists at the Dancenter and at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute School of Dance. Cristiana graduated in 2014 from the University at Buffalo with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Sociology. As a UB student, she was a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company for three years and performed in several musicals. She has choreographed for many student productions and was the Director of Dancer’s Workshop. She attended numerous summer programs, including NYSSSA , Thodos Dance Chicago Intensive, and Steps Summer Study. During her senior year, Cristiana was chosen for the Jon Lehrer Dance Observership, allowing her to train with the company and gain valuable insight into the professional world of dance. Most recently, Cristiana was invited to choreograph as part of the Barn Dance Project at the Theater at Woodshill, curated by Caitlyn Schrader. Cristiana has been with JLDC for 7 years, becoming an integral part of the company's success both on and off the stage. Gabrielle DiNizo is originally from Dayton, OH, where she began her dance training at Dayton Dance Conservatory. She danced for their pre-professional company (Dayton Dance Conservatory Company) for two years before moving to New York City for college. In May 2021, Gabrielle graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University/The Ailey School with a BFA in Dance and English. She has had the honor of performing works by Robert Battle, Brice Mousset (Oui Danse), Adam Baruch, Earl Mosley, and Manuel Vignouelle. Gabrielle spent her recent summers training at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Dance Italia, where she cultivated her love for contemporary and modern dance. Kristen Hedberg was born and raised in Richmond, VA. She earned her BFA in Contemporary Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she was dual-enrolled with The Martha Graham School during her senior year. Kristen was a member of the RIOULT Repertory Program under the direction of Pascal Rioult, Joyce Herring and Charis Haines. She has also danced with Salvatore LaRussa Dance Theatre, Joanna A. Maur, and Curet Performance Project, among others. Myles Mungo is a Willingboro, New Jersey native and attended Stockton University, where he received a BA in Dance with a concentration in Performance. While at Stockton, Myles achieved multiple awards and worked with many talented artists including Meredith Rainey, Julie B. Johnson, and Germaul Barnes. As a professional, Myles has danced for Rain Ross Dance, Andrea Mychael Dance Project, and Roger Lee Dance Company. Mamiko Nakatsugawa is originally from Miyagi, Japan where she started dancing at 9 years old. Mamiko moved to New York in 2015 to attend SUNY Fredonia, where she earned her degree in 2019. During this time, she spent her summers at many prestigious training programs in NYC including Broadway Dance Center Professional Summer Semester, Paul Taylor Dance Company Summer Intensive, Gibney Dance Company Summer Intensive, Gaga New York Winter Intensive, and Module 19. As a professional, Mamiko has worked with Matthew Westerby Dance Company as an apprentice, performing “ReNew 3” with the company.. She has performed in many musical theatre productions in Japan and United States, including Anne of Green Gables (Japan tour ensemble), Cabaret (Kit Kat Girls), and South Pacific (Liat). Patrick Piras is from Udine, Italy and began his dance training at the age of 6 focusing on professional ballroom dancing for three years until a sudden injury 3 years later made him stop. At age 14, Patrick started dancing again thanks to Arianna Zanello, who invited him to attend her school, Filodanza, and later became his mentor. He then focused his study in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance and received scholarships to several summer intensives in Italy.