Take a Leap

Ballet Hispánico, The Snow Queen and Baltimore Dances!

The "Take A Leap" Baltimore County Dance Celebration takes to the stage January 3 through February 29, 2020. The celebration, now in its seventh year, features national and regional professional performers, master classes with guest artists, and showcases of local student dance and choreography.

Featured performances at the Gordon Center include contemporary dance from NYC-based Ballet Hispánico Company, America's leading Latinx dance organization, who has been bringing individuals and communities together to celebrate and explore Latinx cultures through dance for nearly 50 years. In addition, the Gordon Center presents family favorite "The Snow Queen, " from Maryland Ballet Theatre and Baltimore Dances!, an evening celebrating the diversity of the area's top professional dance talent.

For the seventh year running, the Gordon Center brings an internationally renowned dance company to Baltimore County-Ballet Hispánico in 2020-and sponsors extensive outreach activities with the company for Baltimore County Public Schools students, including master classes and a student-only performance, all free of charge.

A Celebration of Dance and Diversity in Baltimore

"As a former dancer, I'm thrilled to be a part of this celebration of the diversity of the dance community on the global, national and local stage," said Sara Shalva, Chief Arts Officer at the Gordon Center. "For me, dance is a unique and meaningful expression of marriage between movement and music that is both powerful and vulnerable, and there's nothing quite like the visceral experience of the live performance! It's a pleasure to work with colleagues from Towson University, Goucher College, Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore County Public Schools, and the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Culture."
 
"Take A Leap is a celebration of dance in Baltimore," said Sonia Synkowski, who serves as president of the Maryland Dance Education Association, and executive director for The Collective Dance Company, as well as a dance resource teacher for Baltimore County Public Schools. "We are thrilled to bring both professional dancers and community dancers to the Gordon Center stage for this Baltimore dance highlight."

Performances

The Take a Leap Baltimore County Dance Celebration is presented by the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences in partnership with the Gordon Center for Performing Arts and the Baltimore region's dance community.  Learn more about the full "Take a Leap" calendar and ticket information. 

The Snow Queen
Description: Were your children entranced by the animated film Frozen? The Ballet Theatre of Maryland premieres its ballet "The Snow Queen," based on the famous Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, the inspiration for Disney's blockbuster.
Date and Time: Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 3 p.m.
Location: Gordon Center for Performing Arts at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
Tickets: $22 in advance or $27 at the door.

Baltimore Dance Project
Description: Baltimore Dance Project infuses visual media, sound, light and technology into riveting dance performance. The company presents the creative work of co-directors Doug Hamby and Carol Hess, performer and choreographer Sandra Lacy, and guest artists.
Dates and Time: February 6, 7 and 8, 2020 at 8 p.m.
Location: UMBC Proscenium Theatre at 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250
Tickets: Available online or at the box office one hour prior to showtime. $20 for general admission, $10 for students or seniors or $7 for UMBC students. 
Parking: Free.

Meet the Artist: Kevin Jenkins
Description: Meet guest artist-in-residence Kevin Jenkins, ask questions, hear about his artistic endeavors and watch Goucher dancers rehearse his work for the upcoming Goucher Repertory Dance Ensemble Spring Concert. This event is free and open to the public.
Date and Time: Friday, February 7, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Location: Goucher College Todd Dance Studio at 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21204

Baltimore Dances!
Description: From West African to contemporary ballet, the artists and dance companies selected to perform in this professional dance showcase represent the best and brightest of the local dance community.
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Gordon Center for Performing Arts at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
Tickets: $22 in advance or $27 at the door.

Ballet Hispánico
Description: Ballet Hispánico, the premier Latinx dance organization in the United States, brings individuals and communities together to celebrate and explore Latinx cultures through dance. Dancers from Towson University Community Dance will open the show.
Date and Time: Saturday. February 22, 2020 at 8 p.m.
Location: Gordon Center for Performing Arts at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
Tickets: $32 in advance or $37 at the door.

Meet the Artist and Open Rehearsal: Gail Corbin
Description: Watch rehearsal of an original work to be performed during the Goucher Repertory Dance Ensemble Spring Concert and participate in a Q&A. This event is free and open to the public.
Date and Time: Friday, February 28, 2020 at 6 p.m.
Location: Goucher College Todd Dance Studio at 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21204

Next Generation of Dancers and Choreographers

The Take a Leap Baltimore County Dance Celebration also includes showcases of local up and coming student dancers and choreographers.
 
Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase
Date and Time: Friday, January 3 2020 at 7 p.m. (Snow date: January 6)
Location: Kraushaar Auditorium, Goucher College at 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21204
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and children 5 and under are free.
 
Baltimore County Public Schools Student Choreography Showcase
Date and Time: Thursday, February 6, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Location: Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts at 8100 Wise Avenue, Dundalk, Maryland 21222
Tickets: Tickets will be available at the door, cash or check only. $5 for adults; $3 for student and seniors.

3rd Annual Dance Your Heart Out Charity Concert
Description: Hosted by The Moving Company Dance Center. Dancers from The Moving Company Ensembles, Hereford High School Dance Company, Dulaney High School Dance Company and Sudbrook Middle Magnet Dancers perform to benefit the One Love Foundation.
Date and Time: Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Location: Hereford High School, 17301 York Road, Parkton, Maryland 21120
Tickets: Tickets are available at the door: $10 for adults, $5 for children under 8, and children under 3 are free.
 
Maryland Dance Alliance
Description: The Maryland Dance Education Association presents an engaging program of high school aged students and community dancers from throughout the state.
Date and Time: Friday, February 28, 2020 at 7 p.m. (Snow date: March 3)
Location: Gordon Center for Performing Arts at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
Tickets: $10 general admission tickets will be available at the door.