NEWS RELEASE: EXCHANGE Choreography Festival

*PC: Brent Hiram, Artist: Amanda McCorkle

NEWS RELEASE
 
For Immediate Use
 
June 14, 2016
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                   
Rachel Bruce Johnson
THE BELL HOUSE
9926 N. Ashfield Rd.
Owasso, OK 74055
(918) 549-1231
bellhouseart@gmail.com
www.thebellhouse.info
 
TULSA ARTS COMMUNITY
 
We often forget that the arts are not created in a vacuum.  It takes people, and the arts are an expression of what is important to people.  Tulsa has been especially gifted with many people who care about the various art forms.  Although there is a rich history of dance in Tulsa, one aspect of this art form was missing.  Eight years ago, Rachel Bruce Johnson saw a dearth of educational and professional development opportunities for professional dancers studying contemporary dance forms.  To remedy this situation, she founded The Bell House.  Through her determination and hard work, the first EXCHANGE Choreography Festival was presented in 2009.  Since then, many other arts organizations have brought a wonderful array of dance master classes and educational opportunities to Tulsa and this particular festival continues to flourish amongst other offerings, especially geared toward independent and emerging choreographers. The 2016 edition of EXCHANGE will be presented on August 25-27th at Tulsa Ballet’s Studio K.
 
EXCHANGE 2016
 
The Bell House will present the 4th EXCHANGE Choreography Festival, to be held August 25-27th.  EXCHANGE provides a meeting point for professional dancers to showcase their choreographic work and engage in dialogue about process. Performances, workshops, and networking events are also included in the festival weekend.  Only 15 choreographers are selected by The Bell House to present original dance works up to 10 minutes in length.
 
Internationally renowned dance-maker and teacher of choreography, Susan Rethorst, is The Bell House's honored guest artist for 2016. She will be spending much time with festival participants at performances and roundtable discussions as well as an exclusive workshop on Rethorst's signature method of choreographic Wrecking (c). 
 
--------- “BEST OF THE FEST” SELECTIONS ----------
 
3 peer-reviewed “Best of the Fest” works will be awarded a second performance spot in the Saturday night Gala Performance.
 
Three accepted submissions will contest for a “Best of the Fest” award that will be given a second performance opportunity of the submitted work in the Saturday night Gala performance.  If selected for the Gala performance, a short 3-4 minute dance film will be required to present the ideas in your work or some aspect about the creative process.
 
Other festival events include a special New Choreography concerts, an artist roundtable discussion about ideas and ways of working, and an exclusive lecture by Susan Rethorst.  Also, catch a screening of renown filmmakers, Petra Lataster-Czisch’s and Peter Lataster’s dancefilm, The Need To Dance at the EXCHANGE Choreography Festival’s Pre-Party, August 25th.  Trailer: https://vimeo.com/112590677

The festival will be held at Tulsa Ballet Studio K, 1212 E. 45th Place, in Tulsa.  
 
For more information on the festival in general or about our featured artist, Susan Rethorst, contact (918) 549-1231 or email: bellhouseart@gmail.com.

*PC: Brent Hiram, dancer/choreographer: Amanda McCorkle