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 The GRRRL Brigade
The GRRRL Brigade was formed in September of 2004 as a dance, theater and taiko drumming company for girls ages 13 and up. The group was formed with the intention of providing high quality dance training, performance opportunities and a sense of self-empowerment for San Francisco's girls. GRRRL Brigade is the junior company of the socio-political, dance-theater and drumming company Dance Brigade. The GRRRL Brigade members take weekly classes in Afro-Cuban Modern, Modern-Jazz and Taiko Drumming from September to June. The GRRRLs are instructed by some of San Francisco's leading dance and taiko artists and are encouraged to create their own choreography, text and sounds within each piece created. The GRRRL Brigade performs around the Bay Area as well as 3 home season performances each year: In December, "The Nutcracker Sweets" is presented at Brava Theater, an alternative take on the holiday classic with an anti-war theme, in March "A WomenÔs Herstory Month Event" annually honoring a great woman of our world at Dance Mission Theater, and in June a Spring Showcase with the Dance Mission Theater's Youth Program at Horace Mann Middle School.
Junior GRRRL Brigade
Junior GRRRL Brigade was conceived in March 2006 and will begin Sept 2006. This is a junior company to the GRRRL Brigade and caters to female dancers 9-12 years old. Students are trained in Ballet, Modern-Jazz, Hip Hop and Taiko Drumming. The Junior GRRRL Brigade will perform in the 3 home season shows as well as occasionally accompany the GRRRL Brigade on shows and performances through out the Bay Area. Junior GRRRL's are encouraged to study all disciplines mentioned above but are only required to study Ballet and Modern-Jazz.
Mission Statement
Our goal is to provide both the GRRRLs and our audience with the inspiration, magic and hope that only feminist socio-political dance theater can spark. We desire that inspiration to take root in all and manifest as a thought, word, action or movement towards the creation of a more just and peaceful world.
How do I Join?
GRRRLs interested in joining the GRRRL Brigade should call 415-273-4633 ext 4 and speak with Tina Banchero GRRRL Brigade and Junior GRRRL Brigade Director, to set up an audition. In-class auditions are held each fall at the beginning of the semester at Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th Street, SF CA 94110. Across from the 24th and Mission BART Station.
Classes in the various disciplines are held at Dance Mission and generally run $10 per class. Students participating in the GRRRL Brigade companies receive discounts on additional classes taken and are also eligible to sign up for sliding scale and or full ride scholarships for company participation. Sliding scale forms and scholarship forms are available at the front desk of Dance Mission Theater.
Classes are also available at Dance Mission Theater's Youth Programs for those students not chosen for the GRRRL Brigade who want to improve their technique in the various disciplines used by the GRRRL Brigade. The GRRRL Brigade is partially funded in part by the Walter and Elise Hass Fund.
Photos Above by Susan Merrell
Nutcracker Sweets
December 15 and 16, 2007
Brava Theater, San Francisco
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