MM2 Modern Dance returns to the Philly Fringe for its sixth year with Emergence

June 10, 2010 - PRLog -- MM2 Modern Dance began in 2000 as Music & Motion Dance Productions, a youth based company, which has performed at the Philly Fringe for the past six years. Now in 2010, under the direction of Steven Weisz, it has evolved as a leader in imaginative movement and creative collaboration for college age dancers as well as post-college dance majors in career transition.

For this year, MM2 brings to the stage an exploration of the concept of Emergence, with three shows on Saturday, September 11th at 2:30, 4:30 and 7:30pm. For a twist this year, performances will take place in suburban Delaware County at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center located at 601 Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA.

So what is emergence? Emergence is the way complex systems and patterns arise out of relatively simple interactions. There are numerous examples of emergence that can be found in nature and MM2 has drawn upon them in the creation of this new work. A flock of birds moving effortlessly as one or a school of fish moving together with such grace and coordination as though unified in a single thought.

In exploring the movement dancers create, each dancer seems innately aware of not only their own body as it moves through space but that of all the others in the group as well. With most organizations the general rule of order is that there is a leader and then followers. Structure is then developed along these patterns, basically a top down rule. This is how we generally expect things to be in nature. But what if structure is developed as a group with no single leader? What develops are then highly complex and intricate patterns or emergence!

For the dancers of mm2, emergence has been the natural process in which they have engaged in preparation for the Philly Fringe. Choreography is constructed as a group process, rather than through the concept of a single individual. Company member, Liz Lyle goes on to explain, “There is something so raw and uplifting about multiple inspirations merging together to form one unified directive. A group choreographed piece is a unique and educational experience that can't be taught by simply following steps from a single soul. It's challenging, fun, frustrating and rewarding all at the same time. You not only learn how to work with others, but you learn even more about yourself. The final outcome is an artistic piece with so much rich history behind it. What can be more beautiful than that?”

2010 company members are: Kristen Blundi, Jessica Bryan, Kristen Davies, Jenna Faye Eugenides, Stephanie King, Angela Littlefield, Larraine Lodise, Liz Lyle and Cathrynne Grace Reynolds.

More about MM2 Modern Dance can be found on the web at http://www.mm-2.org

2010 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe
The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe is an internationally recognized presenter of performing arts. A broad array of performing artists from Philadelphia and around the world by producing two concurrent sixteen-day festivals each September in venues throughout Philadelphia. The 14th annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe will take place from September 3 -18, 2010.

QUICK FACTS
Show: Emergence
Company: MM2 Modern Dance
Event: Philadelphia Live Arts & Philly Fringe
Date: Saturday, September 11, 2010 Times: 2:30pm, 4:30pm & 7:30pm
Venue: Upper Darby Performing Arts Center, 601 Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA
Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 students and buyers under 25 years w. ID
Box Office: http://www.livearts-fringe.org or http://www.danceboxoffice.com

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS
Available for download at: http://mm-2.org/presskit.html

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MM2 began, in 2000, as Music & Motion Dance Productions, a youth based modern dance company. Now ten years later, under the direction of Steven Weisz, it has evolved as a leader in imaginative movement and creative collaboration for college age dancers as well as post-college dance majors in career transition.
MM2 dancers are committed to creating a new body of work each year, in which the dancers themselves create the actual choreography as a group process. This provides a unique opportunity for dancers to explore the choreographic process and have a chance to present their work to both the professional dance community as well as the public.

MM2 is committed to touring the works created, throughout the greater Philadelphia region as well as nationally and even abroad as opportunities present. In addition to choreography and performance, MM2 positively impacts children, students, and communities through student performances, workshops, post-show discussions and more.