Guatemala
Dance-Forms Productions
presents
"The 62nd International Choreographers' Showcase"
Susana B. Williams
Director Dance Forms Productions
Check out videos of Dance-Forms Productions at www.youtube.com/user/sbawill2
Susana B. Williams, director of Dance-Forms Productions, has chosen Body Arts' Studio Theater and Dick Smith Theater of IGA to host presentations of "The 62nd International Choreographers' Showcase"
http://www.facebook.com/events/583628725000234
International award-winning dancer Sergey Kheylik will perform "Multidirectional Walk" choreographed by Susana B. Williams in collaboration with the artist.
Check his dance at http://youtu.be/VlC5gfiJZ3E
Read about his accomplishments at
http://www.whimwhim.org/blog/moving-on-sergey-kheylik/
Friday, June 21, 2013
19:30 hours
Body Arts
18 calle 14-62 zona 13, Guatemala Ciudad
Phone: 2362-7235
General Admission: Q100.00
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Saturday, June 22, 2013
19:30 hours
Dick Smith Theater of IGA
Ruta 1, 4-05 zona 4, Guatemala Ciudad
General Admission: Q100.00, Students with ID Q50.00
Guatemala
An Invitation from the Director
DEAR CHOREOGRAPHERS,
DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS will present a remarkable group of choreographers in Guatemala City on June 21, 22, 2013 at Body Arts' Studio Theater. Would you like to be a participant?
This exciting trip offers choreographers an outstanding opportunity to present their work, network with directors, producers, other artists, and negotiate new engagements!
Mayan girl |
It has long been said that the rainbow stole its colors from Guatemala, the land of "eternal spring." The magnificence of its volcanoes, its exquisite valleys and the ever-blooming flowers of its luxuriant tropical forests have inspired dreamers for thousands of years. But more than its picturesque landscape, Guatemala's rainbow is surely its Mayan peoples whose history, religion and philosophy of life are proudly displayed in the world's most beautiful costumes. |
I invite serious choreographers who will invest in themselves to expand their knowledge of other cultures, while promoting their work abroad. I invite choreographers who can see this thrilling event as an opportunity to benefit their professional development.
Dance-Forms Productions provides a complete production package, which includes: two performance, lighting, sound, technical assistance, publicity, pre show rehearsal arrangements, printed programs, and hotel accommodation based on two persons sharing twin bedded rooms with private bath/shower.
To find out how to qualify, and the investment required, call my office at (502) 222-2273. Remember, space is limited, please call right away. You may call from Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. Eastern Time.
After we have spoken be prepared to submit your professional resume, full body pictures for publicity, program notes, and a VHS video with samples of your work. Don't forget, participation is by invitation only, so RSVP. Pick up the phone and contact us now! You may e-mail us at any time. Our e-mail is: danceformspro@aol.com
Dance the world with Dance-Forms Productions! Let's do it now!
Don't wait, if you have further questions, you can check our FAQ page, e-mail us by clicking on danceformspro@aol.com or speak personally with me by calling (502) 222-2273.
I look forward to your participation and to welcoming you in Guatemala.
Susana B. Williams
Director
DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS
Beatriz Arévalo
cordially invites you to
Body Arts Center
Offering Pilates for all ages
18 calle 14-62 zona 13
Tel. 2362-7235
Welcome to Guatemala
The world of the Maya has many faces: some of them ancient as found carved on towering temples, other as modern as those of the people who live in Guatemala today. They are the descendants of a mighty Maya people whose customs and traditions are still part of the fabric of Guatemalan life.
Guatemala is a showcase of natural history and dramatic landscapes, yet its most distinguishing asset is the rich and colorful traditions of the various ethnic communities, such as Kiché, Kaqchiquel and Achi. Each group has its own language, its special folklore, yet they share a common ancestral heritage as expressed in religion, music, dance, foods and even social organization.
While Spanish and Indian cultures integrate into the country's "mestizaje" the purest of the Maya influences can be found in both the performing and design arts. The handicraft of textiles, in particular, is purely Mayan and a wonderfully colorful, part of the everyday dress.
Outstanding regional dishes accompanied by traditional music and local dance can be found in different celebrations all over Guatemala.
Choreographer Jeff Wallace viewing Palacio Nacional
After the 1773 earthquake, which destroyed the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, today Antigua Guatemala, the capital was moved to its present location in the Valley of the Hermitage. New Guatemala of the Assumption, as it was to be known, was founded in 1775, not far from where the Maya city of Kaminal Juyu flourished a thousand years before.
Although much of the original splendor of the city has fallen to the onslaught of further earthquakes, the center still has some monuments dating back to its founding. The Metropolitan Cathedral and the churches of La Merced, San Miguel de Capuchinas and Santo Domingo are examples of a transition styles from the Barroque to the Neoclassic. The Hermitage of El Carmen, which gave name to the valley where the capital is settled, goes back to 1620. The 20th Century has imprinted different architectural styles on the city. The Post Office, the National Police Building, the National Palace and the Yurrita Church were built in the first half of this century. In the second half of the century, visual artists incorporated their work into the architecture, which can be seen in the buildings of the Civic Center, with murals by national artists of the caliber of Carlos Merida.Today, Guatemala City has two million inhabitants. Its location, facilities and services make it the starting point for visits to the rest of Guatemala and the entire Maya world.
K'ICHE CULTURE
Maria Kroll, Erin Lee and Extreme dancers
Textiles |
Chichicastenango Santo Tomás Chichicastenango, known for its indian market held every Thursday and Sunday, is only 87 miles from Guatemala City. It's the commercial center of the Department of Quiché. Indians from throughout the region stream into town in the market days to buy, sell, socialize and worship. Add the tourists attracted to the market from all over the world, and you have the colorful outdoor spectacle which has made Chichicastenango one of the world's popular tourist destinations. While buyers and sellers bargain for items such as produce, flowers and handicrafts (textiles, ceramics, carvings, basketry, wooden chests and traditional masks), Mayan-Christian rites are practiced by devout Indian on the steps of the Santo Tomás Señor Sepultado del Calvario churches which face on either end of the market plaza. |
Winifred R.Harris, Balkis Manoukian and Between Lines dancers |
Totonicapán The Department of Totonicapán is due west of Chichicastenango. Its capital, San Miguel, is located 135 miles northwest of Guatemala City. Over 40 textile, wooden toys and pottery factories are located there. The nearby town of Momostenango is a major producer of woolen blankets and the famous Momosteco poncho. The village of San Francisco El Alto also has a number of attractions. Friday is the market day in this village. Other towns of interest in Totonicapán are Andrés Xecul, where the church has a facade that reproduces the design in the huipil worn by the local women, and San Cristóbal, where the church is richly decorated with 17th and 18th century retables. |
Quetzaltenango's Church |
Quetzaltenango Quetzaltenango, Guatemala's second largest city, is 128 miles northwest of Guatemala City. Situated in a large valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, this highland city mantains the traditions of its Mayan-Quiché cultural heritage together with its colonial past and dynamic modern life. Two principal Indian towns in the region are Salcajá and Zunil. Salcajá is the main producer of "ikat" (knot-tie dye), and is the site of San Jacinto Church - the first church built in Guatemala. Zunil is famous for its textiles, and Almalonga, across the Samalá River, for its large orchard. |
North Acropolis
Face North Acropolis |
Tikal The city of Tikal is the largest of the ancient Mayan cities in Mesoamerica. It is located in Petén, Guatemala. During the Mayan Era in Mesoamerica, Tikal reached its peak population of about 55,000 people. This peak population is believed to be around AD 700. The city itself contains many different structures inside its boundaries. These structures include numerous resident areas, temples, pyramids, shrines, ball courts, and ceremonial structures. All of these things exist in the boundary of Tikal, which is about 60 square miles. |
Ceramics at the museum |
La Antigua
El Marqués de Antigua
4a. avenida Sur No. 30
La Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Phone: (502) 2386-1012 or (502) 832-8259
The best choice in Antigua! Not only it had everything we needed from cleaning and drying machine to its own patio but it was close to everything. This hotel is too good to be true, it had cable TV with brand new 42' plasmas, free wireless internet, kitchen, dining room, tub, and more amenities! The prices were perfect for our 3 week trip, they had specials for weeks and if we wanted we could've gotten a better deal for a month! The rooms were always clean! The hotel manager David and the rest of the staff were of great help, he got us everything we needed and special requests. I will definitely come back, but next time it will be more time! more.
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Choreographers Wess Staats and Jeff Wallace visiting Antigua |
While this was part of the Viceroyalty of Mexico, Guatemala functioned separately as a Captain General and included what is now Chiapas, part of Yucatán, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. It was the cultural, economic, religious, political and educational center for the entire region until the capital was moved to present day Guatemala City after the damaging earthquakes of 1773. Ironically, this preserved the abandonded capital. Much of the architecture today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries and provides us with a colonial jewel in the Americas.
Antigua is about the same size as it was in colonial times. Cobbled-stone streets and colonial architecture takes us back in time. One of the first planned cities in the New World, its urban design is a traditional Spanish grid -- eight by eight blocks. Here and in nearby areas, there are more than 50 monumental buildings including convents, monasteries, churches, chapels, and much more. The main buildings are located around the Main Square: the Palace of the Captains General, Palace of the City Hall, Archbishop's Palace and Cathedral. The old University of San Carlos now houses the Colonial Art Museum. Many of the colonial houses have also been preserved. A new trend in Antigua blends the old and the new together in a tasteful fashion.
Almost forgotten throughout the 19th century, Antigua was declared a national monument in 1944 and architectural repairs and rebuilding were limited. Many of the monumental buildings had been used as quarries for other buildings up until this time. Special attention was then given to the city. In 1969, Congress passed a Protective Law for La Antigua Guatemala (Decree 60-69) founding the National Council for the Protection for La Antigua Guatemala. Through their efforts much of the city has been saved and much work has been carried out in the conservation and restoration of the historical buildings that give much of the city its colonial character.
Religious activities and celebrations are still the center of the city's cultural activities. Antigua hosts the largest celebrations for Lent and Easter in the Western Hermisphere. With more than 50 different velaciones (holy vigils), processions and other activities, this city truly relives the passion and death of Jesus at this time. While many are attracted to the solemn religious fervor, others enjoy the beautiful sawdust carpets that are made along the procesional routes. If the procession to due to come by one's house, that family prepares an elaborate carpet made out of pine needles, flowers, flower petals and/or dyed sawdust. Some of the designs are religious but most of them are decorate integrating the wide array of flowers that are used. They are truly spectacular. The procession walks over the carpet and then its time to start preparing for next year!
Antigua has truly come to life in the last few years. The late 80's bring an array of cultural activities which include art galleries and exhibits, performing arts center, popular arts, films, forums, and cultural tourism in general. While almost everything revolved around tradition religious activities previously, today there is a new "awakening" in the city. This is due in part to the number of visitors we have today and, also, more than 80 Spanish schools that teach Spanish to foreigners and offer an economic base for part of the city's population.
While visiting Antigua can take you back in time, you can also experience the newness that is part of Guatemalan culture today. Here we see both the old and the new combine into what makes Antigua Today.
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