SAFETY ALERT: Owing to a fire early on October 27, the area around the Eastwick Pavilion will be closed until further notice. The rest of the Garden remains open.
Philly Ballet will be hosting two community dance classes leading up to the performance of “Behind the Stage Door”. Join us in an exploration of a variety of dance forms, from ballet to African dance, in this fun and accessible workshop.
This class is FREE and open to the public and suitable for all levels, ages and abilities. Come dance with us! No registration needed.
About the Instructors:
Karen Pendergrass
Karen was born, raised, and educated in Philadelphia. While attending Temple University, Karen began her studies in dance. From there, she joined the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) and became a principal in 1974. Karen has been an art educator for 40 years, as well as a long-term teaching artist for Philadelphia Ballet. She has served as an adjunct instructor of dance at Drexel University, Artistic/Program Director for the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center, and Director for the Salem Baptist Praise Dance Ensemble.
Patricia “Peaches” Jones
Patricia “Peaches” Jones has served many roles in her life weaving together community, culture, movement, education, and health. She is a dancer, teaching artist, public health professional, educator, and lifelong student. Peaches’ career path was ignited in high school when she was introduced to African dance. This transformational event moved her towards realizing the potential her teachers had always mentioned, excelling from a long-time C student to the honor roll. She had been dancing from a young age, so what made this different? The rhythm, the movement, the touching of history and culture, the connection to community, and a feeling of belonging.
Since that time, Peaches earned a BA with a double major in African American Studies and Urban Studies, a Master’s in Public Administration, and has worked in several capacities on public health and education initiatives. She continues to study African dance and has performed as a member of Les Ballet Shango, Troupe Dada, FlyGround, and Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble. She has traveled to Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea, Brazil, and Cuba; studying African dance in its many different styles and forms. Peaches is grounded in cultivating a connection to rhythm and movement, history and culture, self and community; and she is passionate about sharing this healing practice with others in a safe and supportive environment.
Behind the Stage Door is a ballet performance that explores the “invisible” forces that bring a ballet production to life. Through brand new stage design, music, and choreography, the piece illuminates the many personalities that make the transcendent art form of ballet possible. Performed by Artists of Philadelphia Ballet II, who serve as the Ballet’s community ambassadors.