Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/darien-arts-center/page/2)
Christina DeMaio, a Darien native and NYC-based performer and teaching artist, is teaching a new group voice class at the Darien Arts Center. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Sing! Sing! Elementary Group Voice class is for kids in Grades 1-5 and takes place from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Thursdays from Sept. 19 through Dec.
Young & talented performers in Grades 3 to 6 will be given a chance to shine in the Darien Arts Center’s classic Broadway style production, “Regards to Broadway.” — an announcement from Darien Arts Center (we’ve put both the nitty and the gritty in boldface.)
After last year’s sold out performance of “Broadway Beat!,” the DAC has teamed up with Open Arts Alliance again for this exciting new revue. Rehearsals take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, from Sept. 10 though Oct. 29.
The Darien Arts Center has announced the addition of two new instructors to their dance faculty. Victoria Ulmer and Jana Powers will join the popular DAC dance program which offers students from the age of 3 through adults, the opportunity to train in one of the finest dance spaces in Fairfield County and to participate in multiple performances throughout the year. Victoria Ulmer joins the DAC staff from Steps Performing Arts Center and has over 35 years of experience teaching dance. She has trained with Madame Darvash, Chet Walker, Chuck Kelly, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey, Steps on Broadway and Peridance. She is trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop and Swing.
Registration is open for classes for all ages in dance, visual arts, martial arts, music and theatre at the Darien Arts Center. Fall classes begin Sept. 3. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
To register for classes, visit darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall.
Registration is open for fall classes that begin on Sept. 3 at the Darien Arts Center. See all classes and sign up at DarienArts.org. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Dance Program
The DAC Dance Program offers a wide variety of classes for all ages and skill levels. Classes for ages 3 & up include Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Teen Lyrical, Adult Lyrical Jazz, Teen Contemporary, Modern, Broadway Dance, Pop-Pilates Tap, and Pointe.
Registration is open for Darien Arts Center fall classes for all ages in dance, visual arts, martial arts, music and theater. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
To register for classes, visit the DAC website or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. DANCE
The DAC dance program offers students from the age of 3 through adults, the opportunity to train in one of the finest dance spaces in Fairfield County and to participate in multiple performances throughout the year. The DAC Weatherstone Studio converts to a black box performance space, giving DAC students the most performance opportunities in the area.
Aspiring actors in Grades 5 through 10 can strengthen performance skills this summer at the Darien Art Center’s new theater pop-up workshops. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Students will better prepare themselves for their next performance opportunities with one-day workshops in tap, dance, improv and auditioning. In Actors Can Tap, students will learn not only a tap number from Newsies, but the skills required to act the dance with Kathryn Luckstone, whose choreography for Wilton High School helped them win Best Musical in this year’s Halo Awards. Modifications will be made for all levels in this mixed level class that takes place on Monday, July 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. for Grades 5 to 7, and on Tuesday, July 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. for grades 8 to 10. In Actors Can Dance, also taught by Luckstone, students learn a full dance number from The Greatest Showman.
Shakespeare on the Sound and the Open Arts Alliance are partnering with the Darien Arts Center to provide new theatre offerings this summer for Grades 5 to 12. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
The summer camp for Grades 7 to 10, Twelfth Night, Jr., begins June 24 and showcases a culminating performance on the Shakespeare On The Sound stage in Rowayton on July 3. Into the Woods, Jr., for Grades 5 to 12, begins Aug. 12, with auditions on June 3. Additionally, there are vocal and dance audition workshops on June 2 for Grades 6-10.
An online auction to benefit the Darien Arts Center is open to all at darienarts.org, from 9 a.m., Monday June 3 through 10 p.m., Saturday, June 15, the evening of the DAC’s Saturday Night Fever Disco Dance Benefit. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Anyone, even those not attending the benefit, may bid until the closing time on the luxury items, fun experiences, and local gift certificates made available through the auction. Online auction items include: a weeklong house rental on Kiawah Island; a Two Roads Brewery Tour; a Day of Beauty at Andrew Stefanou Salon & Spa; a Sirius XM tour including lunch with ‘Mad Dog’ Russo; a sunset cruise; a NYC private gallery tour; ‘Blowouts and Bubbly’ at LeBoudoir; and a psychic reading. Tickets to a Giants/Dolphins game, Westport Country Playhouse and Caramoor are also included, as well as six tutoring hours at C2 Education, a Fresh Light Driving School course, an OsteoStrong Platinum package and a 10 person art workshop at the DAC. Entertainment experiences for parties include singer/songwriter Doug Allen, magician Steve Dane, rock and roll band Old School, and a Juke Box trivia night.
According to Darien Arts Center board members and event co-chairs Beth Gardella and Andrea Jackson, “Everyone should dust off their platform shoes and put on their best 70s glam to dance the night away” for Saturday Night Fever, the Disco Dance Benefit for the Darien Arts Center, happening on June 15 at 7:30 p.m.
— an announcement from Darien Arts Center
The fundraising event takes place in the DAC Weatherstone Studio, which will be transformed into a 1970’s disco, complete with disco ball and a DJ playing all of the biggest hits of the era. “We can’t wait to see everyone’s outfits and hear all those old hits. It will be like a trip back in time,” added DAC board member Meredith Malachowski. Drinks and hors d’oevres will keep guest fueled to show off their best dance moves and a prize for best costume will be awarded at this fun celebration open to all. It is recommended to purchase tickets soon, as space is limited and the event is expected to sell out quickly.
The Darien Arts Center has announced 24 winners in its 4th annual Smartphone Photo Contest, Pic Darien. — an announcement from the Darien Arts Center
First Place and Runner Up cash prizes in all categories were awarded to adults and children at a reception on April 28 in the DAC Weatherstone Studio. The contest garnered over 530 entries in six categories, with submissions from all ages. Here are the winners:
FOOD
—Student Winner: Grace Salomon
—Student Runner Up: Georgia Sheehan
—Adult Winner: Margaret Orem
—Adult Runner Up: Katie LeBesco
ABSTRACT
—Student Winner: Matthew Taylor
—Student Runner Up: Moera Kamimura
—Adult Winner : Nancy Breakstone
—Adult Runner Up: Pam Lindberg
PEOPLE & PETS
—Student Winner: Sadie Mossa
—Student Runner Up: Olivia Leimgruber
—Adult Winner: David Wilson
—Adult Runner Up: Patrick Jackson
TRAVEL
—Student Winner: Harrison Slotkin
—Student Runner Up: Alyssa Farrell
—Adult Winner: Diana Berrent
—Adult Runner Up: Kurt Maschoff
LANDSCAPE, SEASCAPE & NATURE
—Student Winner: Matthew Taylor
—Student Runner Up: Ivy Schroeder
—Adult Winner: Meg Schwanhausser
—Adult Runner Up: Patricia Schram
LOVE, ANGUISH & TRIUMPH
—Student winner: Anna Passaretti
—Student Runner Up: Emily Gardella
—Adult Winner: Sue Clarke
—Adult Runner Up: Tracy Deberadinis
Award-winning photographer, filmmaker and producer, Jeffrey Wyant, judged the contest, a fundraiser, which was sponsored by Heights Pizza, Meatball and Co. and Uncle’s Deli.
Due to popular demand, a Sip and Paint Ladies Night Out is returning to the Darien Arts Center’s Visual Arts Studio on Wednesday, April 24, from 7 to 9 p.m.
— an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Artist Stephanie Lush-Mastriano will lead this fun and friendly workshop inspired by the famous French artist Edgar Degas, who is especially identified with the subject of dance. A live ballerina will pose as a model for the attendees to use as inspiration to create their own painting. Small canvases will be provided; participants may bring larger canvases if they prefer to create a larger painting. Easels, paint, brushes and drawing materials will be available. Beginning painters and professional artists are welcome and participants may bring their own wine and refreshments.
Darien Arts Center students and members of the DAC performance company will present Belle’s Adventures, a new original children’s ballet, on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7. Performances take place at 12 noon and 3 p.m. in the DAC Weatherstone Studio at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Belle’s Adventures is geared toward a younger audience. It is an ideal way for those interested in learning how to dance, to see one of many DAC performance opportunities provided for dance students. All ages are welcome to attend, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $15 for the show, which runs for approximately one hour.
The Darien Arts Center is offering two new springtime classes for adults: Introduction to Traditional Calligraphy and Gold Leaf Gilding for Works of Art; and two new classes for students: Funky Street Jazz, a dance class for grades 8 and up, and Kids in the Cast!, a theatre class for grades 3 and up. — an announcement from Darien Arts Center
Use the DAC’s new improved registration system, sign up for their newsletter or find more information at DarienArts.Org or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For Adults
Introduction to Traditional Calligraphy — Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m., March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 29 and May 6. Students will be taught key calligraphy terms, structural guidelines, scale, angles, direction and basic pen strokes.
To the editor:
We are fortunate to have many individuals and local businesses that value the importance of arts in our community and that support the Darien Arts Center. The DAC, which is not subsidized by the town of Darien, solely depends on funding from its programs, donations, grants, and fundraising. Recently, the DAC has been extremely fortunate to gain a new friend in Caffè Nero, which generously hosted a fun, artistic evening of live music, delicious food and their famous coffee drinks to benefit the Arts Center. See also: Live Acoustic Music at ‘Coffee and Culture’ Benefit for Darien Arts Center at Caffè Nero Feb 28
Additionally, Caffè Nero is exhibiting the paintings of recent DHS graduate and 2018 Ginny Wright Scholarship recipient, Nadia Czebiniak. Her paintings can be seen at Caffè Nero, 1075 Post Road, all week.