As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8th, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, Los Angeles, is proud to announce the return of its highly anticipated International Women’s Day Dance Festival! Dedicated to honoring women’s contributions to dance and cultural sectors, while simultaneously advocating for a more inclusive future, the festival stands out for its consistent commitment to progress.
Now in its 8th year, the festival provides opportunities for female-identifying choreographers to present their work. The festival also connects young artists with seasoned artistic leaders. The 2024 Festival Aims to inspire dialogue and action towards greater gender equality. It will feature performances, panel discussions, classes, and networking opportunities at multiple venues throughout L.A. and West Hollywood.
“Every year there is a tangible energy and robustness to this festival that brings the dance community together to celebrate and support the female-identifying voices within it. Our largest festival to date, this year’s program is filled with diverse, dynamic work that showcases the stories, ideas, and unlimited creativity of a multitude of awe-inspiring artists from various backgrounds. We can’t wait to share these artists with you!” says MashUp’s Creative Council, the guiding curatorial body of the company.
MashUp’s leadership believes in the power of dance to drive social change and inspire progress. This Festival is not only a celebration, but also a call to action around International Women’s Day’s annual theme #InspireInclusion. By bringing together talented choreographers, artists, and advocates, MashUp is honored to hold space for meaningful dialogue and foster tangible steps towards a more equitable future for all.
The 2024 festival also features a dance industry summit. The summit including a keynote speaker, mentorship sessions, classes, and pop up expo on Friday, March 8th in West Hollywood. It will be followed by an Opening Party in Frogtown at 7pm that night. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening where MashUp will honor two exemplary leaders in dance with delectable food and drink. The evening will also see the premiere of MashUp’s short dance film “Thresholds – Chaos to Control,” featuring dancer Jess Wick. “Thresholds – Chaos to Control,” was created in collaboration by Victoria Brown (MashUp Co-Founder), Curious Minds LA (a female-founded architecture studio that specializes in the psychological and behavioral impacts of our media-rich urban cultures), and Homemakelabs.
On Saturday, March 9th, MashUp is hosting two showcases featuring work by: Azuki Umeda, Gianna Burright, Jordan Pelliteri, Waeli Wang, Kaley Logan, Marcella Lewis, Hannah Millar, Tori Cone, Olivia Liberati, Madison Olandt, and Jasmine Albuquerque. Showcases will be followed by a day of movement classes for both novice and advanced dancers on Sunday, March 10th. Finally, join MashUp on Support Women Artists Day – Tuesday, March 26th – for an evening of dance films from around the world! Artists to be announced.
The International Women’s Day Dance Festival is made possible in part by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Department of Cultural Affairs, and the City of West Hollywood. Full festival information, including participating artist announcements and registration, will be available at mashupdance.com/iwddancefest.
Festival Registration and individual event tickets are available at:
https://www.mashupdance.com/tickets/international-womens-day-dance-festival
Detailed Schedule included below.
Friday, March 8, 2024LA Women in Dance Summit in West Hollywood | Great Hall at Plummer Park 9am – 2pm
● 9am-10am — Breakfast with Keynote Speaker and Industry Expo
● 10:15am-11:45am — Industry Expo + Mentor “speed dating” with Monika Smith,
Mackenzie Martin, Julie McDonald, Marissa Osato, and Emily Wanserski
● 12pm-12:55pm — Movement Class with Stephanie Heckert
● 1pm-1:55pm — Movement Class with Monika Smith
Festival Kick-Off Party | Frogtown Creative 7-10pm
Food, drinks, a DJ, and a raffle to honor 2 Exemplary Women in LA Dance! Don’t miss the premiere of “Thresholds – Chaos to Control,” a short dance film integrating dance and technology created in collaboration with Curious Minds LA and Homemake Labs. Additionally, there will be a live performance of “Duality,” a duet choreographed by Mashup Co-founder Victoria Brown and performed by Mashup company members Alexandra O’Neal and Chloe Lopina, exploring the intricate process of figuring it all out, the slow journey towards a goal, and the challenge of finding balance amidst conflicting desires
Saturday, March 9, 2024IWDDF Showcases | Stomping Ground LA 4pm and 8pm
Featuring work from emerging and established choreographers: Azuki Umeda, Gianna Burright, Jordan Pelliteri, Waeli Wang, Kaley Logan, Marcella Lewis, Hannah Millar, Tori Cone, Olivia Liberati, Madison Olandt, and Jasmine Albuquerque
Sunday, March 10, 2024Open Level Community Movement Workshop | Brockus Studios 11am – 12pmAll levels, abilities and bodies are welcome! Enjoy a space to move, play, create, and connect with yourself and others in a laid back and judgment-free movement zone hosted by MashUp Co-Founder + Moved LA Founder Sarah Rodenhouse
Movement Classes for Intermediate/Advanced Dancers | Brockus Studios 12:15 – 5:30pm
● 12:15pm-1:30pm — Jasmine Albuquerque
● 1:30pm-2:45pm — Mary Ann Chavez
● 3pm-4:15pm — Madison Olandt
● 4:15pm-5:30pm — Azuki Umeda
Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (Support Women Artists Day) Film Screening Event | Frogtown Creative 7pm
Enjoy refreshments while screening dance films from all over the world selected by MashUp’s Creative Council.
About MashUp Contemporary Dance Company:
Founded in 2010 and artistically led by a 4-women Creative Council, MashUp Contemporary Dance Company is committed to uplifting female-identifying artists and building community through contemporary dance. Through its annual International Women’s Day Dance Festival, National Women’s Equality Day celebration, Choreographic Residency Program, and other performances and special events, the company utilizes dance to encourage critical thinking about relevant feminist philosophies, support female-identifying artists, and provide points of connection for community members to engage with artmaking.
About International Women’s Day:
(March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.
LINKS:
Website: http://www.mashupdance.com/
Tickets — https://www.mashupdance.com/tickets/international-womens-day-dance-festival Instagram: http://instagram.com/mashupdance
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mashupdance
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HXsnM4A6ImqmiCdAFqOxg
Photo by Kelly Mustapha-Kellett. Courtesy of MashUp.
