NEW YORK -- :pushing progress Artistic Director Calen J. Kurka presents the second installment of “The Showcase Series” March 29, 2009, 7:30 pm, at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. “

The Showcase Series” provides choreographers with a venue to share new movement and ideas at different stages in their process, while also allowing them to promote themselves and any upcoming events. The series is about raw artistry, the process of creation, and improvisation; sharing with others the way in which each individual artist creates differently.

This years showcase series is comprised of two separate events:

“The Artists Showcase” features the shorter works of New York choreographers including The Next Stage Project/ Marijke Eliasberg and Jana Hicks, Salim Gauwloos aka Slam, Chris Hale, Company BRICE MOUSSET, Jason Parsons, Luam, M. Stuart Dance Theatre, Melissa Wolfe-Rosebro, Jacki Ford, Val Ho, LINK! the Movement, and Calen Kurka

“The Choreography Showcase” will feature more developed works of up to 20 minutes from just 6 New York based choreographers/companies: Jason Parsons, M. Stuart Dance Theatre, Salim Gauwloos aka Slam, Chris Hale, Company BRICE MOUSSET, Calen Kurka with guest pieces presented by Lauren Adams, Maya Escueta and Anna Vollmar.

“The Showcase Series” will take place at the beautiful new state-of-the art theater  at Manhattan Movement and Art Center just steps from Lincoln Center.  The intimate setting of this beautiful black box theatre with stadium seating and simple lighting is a perfect accent to the true purpose of each evening’s performance:  Raw Artistry, Individual Creativity, Expression. “

The Showcase Series” is to be produced annually by :pushing progress.

Please RSVP performances@pushingprogress.com to reserve your seat.

:pushing progress was founded late 2006 by Artistic Director Calen J. Kurka.  It is a performance company

based upon contemporary movement, dedicated to hard work and the improvement of oneself as well as the education of others. :pushing progress focuses on breaking boundaries and finding new perspective on the movement made by the human body, while facing the challenges that bind us to our own bodies.  Determined to find artistic style and beauty through technique, the strength of intention, and trust, Calen’s choreography is courageous and real: Accessible to the body, mind and soul.

Photography by Tiffany Tahan