The annual Green Space Blooms dance festival blossoms into a larger event each year. In 2010, 25 choreographers participated in the six-night festival. Now the event welcomes 39.
One such choreographer is also the event’s organizer: Valerie Green, founder of Green Space, a Long Island City studio rental location for neighborhood dancers and the venue for Green Space Blooms.
Growing the Queens-based dance scene is a cause Green has worked on since 1998, and Green Space Blooms is the only dance specific festival in the borough, she said.
The intimate performance space facing Manhattan allows for 70 seats per show. Green expects 300 attendees in total.
“We want neighbors to feel they can stay in Queens and see professional grade performances,” said Green, also the owner of Dance Entropy, a dance company based at Green Space.
Not only does Green mastermind the event, she will perform in the duet “Kin” and her solo dance “Secret of the Girl of the Flowers.”
During her solo Green shivers, rolls and flits through a scattering of brightly colored fabric flowers.
Green performs with emotion. At one point she seems to shake with fear and at the end of dance, which represents a nonlinear life cycle, Green cackles as she slowly walks towards the back the dimming stage.
Green’s flower-themed dance is just a pleasant coincidence; the festival is always called Green Space Blooms. One night in February Green woke up from a dream of herself surrounded by flowers, inspiring the piece.
She soon began working with the fabric and movements. She collected flowers from the Salvation Army, and as her piles of flowers grew her motions began to morph into the 11 dances that will be performed April 13, 14, 21 and 22.
Audience members will see a sampling of new dances as well as be able to mingle with performers after each show.
“If you know the performers you will want to support them,” said Green. “It’s a win-win. Dancers develop a repeat audience and the audience connects with art happening in their community.”
‘Green Space Blooms’
When: April 13-15 and 20-22, 8 pm
Where: Green Space, 37-24 24th St., LIC
Tickets: $20 at door; $15 in advance
(718) 956-3037
Welcome to the discussion.
Or, use your linked account: