<![CDATA[Pieces of a Dream, Inc. - Blog]]>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:15:06 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[September 12th, 2017]]>Tue, 12 Sep 2017 10:41:19 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/september-12th-2017Picture

We are pleased to announce a new partnership with Dance4PD, a movement-based class designed specifically for people with Parkinson's.  Classes are taught by Marion Y. Hamermesh who has trained with the Mark Morris Dance Group in their Dance for PD method.  During the class, participants will explore a variety of dance styles, all with an emphasis on using the power of music to move with freedom.  The goal of these classes is to develop artistry and grace while addressing such PD-specific concerns as balance, flexibility, coordination, and gait.  No previous dance experience is necessary. 

For more information or to sign up:  DEdance4PD@gmail.com
10 Class Punch Card = $60/card
​Drop In Class = $7 (no charge for caregivers)

​​​Dance4PD
Thursdays 1:00-2:15 PM
September 28-December 20 *
​Pieces of a Dream, Inc.
​2814 Lancaster Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805

* NOTE:  The session begins on September 28, but you may be begin taking classes at any time.​
]]><![CDATA[Ashley SK Davis recognized by Delaware Senate]]>Thu, 30 Jun 2016 20:52:32 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/ashley-sk-davis-recognized-by-delaware-senateOn Tuesday, June 28, 2016, Pieces of a Dream, Inc. Executive & Artistic Director Ashley SK Davis was honored by the State of Delaware Senate.  The members of the Senate passed a resolution commending Davis for her on-going commitment to the arts and congratulating her for her work with Pieces of a Dream, Inc.  The Resolution was sponsored by Sen. Bethany Hall-Long and co-sponsored by Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, Sen. Harris McDowell, and Sen. Bob Marshall.  During the commentary before the chamber voted to pass the Resolution, several Senators spoke favorably about Ms. Davis, including Sen. Karen E. Peterson, who offered a funny story about Ashley as a toddler accompanying her mother in her work in the courtroom.  We are incredibly proud of our EAD Ashley SK Davis, and honored to receive this recognition.
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(From left to right): Sen. Bethany Hall-Long, Ashley SK Davis, Paulette Sullivan Moore, Sen. Margaret Rose Henry
]]><![CDATA[Summer Modern Series 2015 was a great success!]]>Sat, 01 Aug 2015 19:48:09 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/summer-modern-series-2015-was-a-great-successPieces of a Dream, Inc. has just concluded in four-part 2nd annual Summer Modern Series.  This year's workshop featured master classes in each of the four major modern genres:  Dunham, Horton, Graham, and, newly-added, Limon.  

The summer kicked off with a high-energy workout in the Dunham technique with certified instructor Saroya Corbett.  In addition to the traditional floor  and barre work that is a foundation of Katherine Dunham's technique, Ms. Corbett also led the dancers through an energetic series of across the floor exercises, emphasizing the poly-rhymthic and poly-centered work that is common in the West Indian cultures that influenced Ms. Dunham in her choreography.

Part two of the Summer Modern Series focused on the Horton technique with Roberto Rodreguiez-Garcia.  Mr. Rodreguiez-Garcia, founding member of the Mambo Kings and former principal dancer with Eleone Dance Theatre, taught two groups of dancers the essential components of this technique, created by Lester Horton and made famous by Alvin Ailey and Carmen de Lavallade.  This workshops focused on the straight lines and grounded movements that comprise the Horton technique.

Part three of the SMS was a double-header of Martha Graham and Jose Limon techniques.  Ashley Brown led the dancers through the Graham class, complete with spirals and contractions.  Durell R. Comedy taught the Limon workshop, emphasizing the breath and release that are essential to performing the Limon choreography.  During the hour lunch-break, Ms. Brown and Mr. Comedy shared their experiences as dance professionals, including their pursuits in collegiate study, dance performance, and instruction.

If you missed this year's intensive, you MUST make sure you attend the Summer Modern Series 2016.  Save the date:  Registration will open in May 2016.  See you in the studio!
]]><![CDATA[Wine and Dine and Raise some Funds!]]>Mon, 06 Oct 2014 23:18:47 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/wine-and-dine-and-raise-some-fundsPieces of a Dream, Inc. guests had a great time at the BBC Grille & Tavern for our Dining and Bartending Fundraiser!  Volunteers from POAD's Board of Directors, Dream Dance Theatre, and Volunteer Corps all worked together to pour the drinks and raise money for Pieces of a Dream, Inc.'s programs.  Thanks to their hard work and your donations, we raised over $1,000 to continue to bring meaningful and socially-relevant modern dance choreography to Delaware and the surrounding areas.  If you couldn't make it to the restaurant, but would still like to contribute, you can donate on our website or send your donation to our mailing address.
Pieces of a Dream, Inc.
P.O. Box 7022
Wilmington, DE 19803
Thank you for all your support!]]><![CDATA[Hey Shortlidge...Let's Dance!]]>Fri, 18 Apr 2014 20:08:57 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/hey-shortlidgelets-danceAshley SK Davis and Pieces of a Dream, Inc. P*D2 members visited the students at Shortlidge Academy to provide a fun day of dance.  Ms. Keturah and Ms. Jasmine assisted POAD Artistic Director Ashley SK Davis in teaching the basics of a modern dance class including a traditional warm-up and traveling movements, such as grand battments (kicks) and chasses (gallops).  Select students in each grade had the opportunity to dance alongside the professionals from the company and receive help from Ms. Davis.  After the demo class, Jasmine and Keturah performed P*D2 perennial favorite "Change Gonna Come."  The workshop ended with a high-energy dance to Beyoncé's "Move Your Body" that got all of the students and most of the teachers up and dancing!  What a great workout!  Thank you, Shortlidge :-)

(Pssst....Are you a teacher or administrator who would like to bring Pieces of a Dream, Inc. to your school for a workshop or performance?  We are available for special events and assemblies.  CONTACT US to schedule your special school event.)

]]><![CDATA[Summer Dance Residencies are in Full Swing]]>Thu, 04 Jul 2013 22:52:59 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/summer-dance-residencies-are-in-full-swingMembers of Pieces of a Dream, Inc. are BUSY!  We have expanded our school-year residency program to include several existing summer camps at locations throughout New Castle County.  The students, who range in age from 3 up through 14, receive regular instruction in modern dance techniques.  The classes focus on aerobic movement and artistic self-expression.  Many of the sessions will culminate with a final performance at the end of the summer.  This summer's classes are based out of the Latin American Community Center, Serviam Girls Academy, Police Athletic League Wilmington, and Harvest Christian Academy.  If you are interested in having Pieces of a Dream, Inc. conduct modern dance training for your su]]><![CDATA[POAD kicks off "Summer in the Parks"]]>Tue, 25 Jun 2013 22:34:35 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/poad-kicks-off-summer-in-the-parksPicture
Pieces of a Dream, Inc. is honored to participate in Wilmington's "Summer in the Parks" !  This new program is a joint effort between the City of Wilmington and the Grand Opera House.  The POAD performance was the official kick-off of the event, featuring a press conference with Mayor Dennis P. Williams and officials from the Grand Opera House, Parks and Recreation, and Cultural Affairs.  On the morning of June 25, dancers from Pieces of a Dream Dance Theatre and P*D2 led the students at Elbert-Palmer Elementary School in a fun modern dance class with lots of aerobic activity.  After the class, the kids took a break and enjoyed a performance by the dance company.  The Tuesday morning performance was just the beginning of the summer's events.  The eight-week program will feature over 75 events, held at nine parks around the city.  “Summer in the Parks brings arts and cultural into our City’s neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor Williams. “Our partnership with The Grand represents
the City’s commitment to the arts and the fundamental role arts and cultural play in the community and lives of young people.”  If you missed the premiere, catch Pieces of a Dream, Inc. at Judy Johnson Park at 10AM on Friday, July 19.
“Summer in the Parks brings arts and cultural into our City’s neighborhoods and
communities,” said Mayor Williams. “Our partnership with The Grand represents
the City’s commitment to the arts and the fundamental role arts and culture play in the community and lives of young people.”
]]><![CDATA[Words Taking Shape Spectacular Success]]>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:10:54 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/words-taking-shape-spectacular-success"I am Ashley SK Davis, and this is Pieces of a Dream, Inc."  Thus concluded a wonderful evening of movement, tears, and laughter on March 2 at the Wilmington Drama League.  Pieces of a Dream, Inc. presented its Sixth Annual dance concert "Words Taking Shape" at the venue on Lea Boulevard in Wilmington to a packed house.  True to its missionary focus of presenting meaningful and socially-relevant works, "Words Taking Shape" showed the beauty of movement while simultaneously challenging the viewer to think critically.   By the end of the 90 minute performance, all those audience members were more than satisfied.

The first half of the show was actually an encore of the production "Moved...by Words, by Silence, by Sounds", which premiered at the Fringe Wilmington Festival in September 2012.  This series of four suites uses poetry and prose in lieu of music as a backdrop for the movement.  While most of the spoken word is pre-recorded audio, two of the segments require the dancers to speak as they dance.  In "Mom, I Wish..." the dancers were asked to write a "letter" to their mothers with this prompt, which they then complemented with movement.  The other piece that did not use a recorded track featured not speech, but sound.  A large section in "Moved...by Power" is performed entirely in silence, with sounds, syllables, and phrases of words inserted sporadically.  The highlight of the first half was the final dance in "Moved...by Pain", a solo choreographed and performed by Pieces of a Dream, Inc. veteran Ashlei G. Randolph.  This suite on grief also included a duet by Ketruah Braithwaite and La-Chelle Dickenson and a group piece to a section of Kalil Gibran's The Prophet and Psalm 23.  Ms. Randolph's performance was set to "2 Pearls", a poem by Gayle Danley, in memory of her mother's battle with lung cancer.  The combination of Ms. Danley's words and Ms. Randolph's movement left a definitive impression on everyone in the audience.

Act II was equally poignant.  The first suite, "The New Normal?", addresses the seeming conflict between the American value of the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and the Constitutionally-guaranteed right to bear arms.  The suite is divided into three scenes:  A child caught in the crossfire of gang violence, a bullied high school student who decided to exact vengeance on her tormentors, and the "paradise" that is left behind in the wake of such barbarity.  The goal of this piece is a question why we are no longer appalled to hear news about violent shooting deaths, and whether the public has become complicit in the deaths of children by our silence and inaction.

The final suite of the concert was certainly the crowd favorite of many in the audience.  "In a Dark and Lonesome Place, Seeking Light" is a window into the life of someone suffering from depression.  Our protagonist seeks many different options to find "the light", and finally is triumphant.  This piece, again featuring Ms. Randolph, is relevant to another struggling through a difficult life episode.

With all the heaviness of the dances, the evening ended on a fun note.  Ms. Davis enlisted the audience in helping POAD, Inc. film a "Harlem Shake" video.  Dancers and non-dancers alike joined in the creation of this laughter-inducing video.  The video will be available on our website and YouTube channel shortly.

If you missed the performance, or just want to see it again, the DVD of "Words Taking Shape" is available for order on our Shop page.]]><![CDATA[PHILADANCO! holds workshop in Delaware]]>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:27:48 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/philadanco-holds-workshop-in-delawarePieces of a Dream, Inc. collaborated with the Grand Opera House to host a modern workshop by the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO).  PHILADANCO company members Roxanne Lyst and Adryan Moorefield lead a group of twenty dancers though an intensive Horton technique workshop this past Friday.  The Horton technique is named for its founder, Lester Horton, who was Alvin Ailey's instrutor and mentor.  Like Pieces of a Dream, Inc., much of PHILADANCO's choreography is based on the Horton technique.  For the workshop, Roxanne and Adryan began with standard Horton exercises, including flatbacks, leg swings, and  Fortification 1.  These led to the dancers learning a phrase from one of PHILADANCO's signature works.  The evening culminated with the Q&A session, during which the younger dancers in the group were able to gain valuable insight about life as a professional dancer.   If you are interested in learning more about Pieces of a Dream, Inc.  sponsored workshops, che]]><![CDATA[We are Thankful for....]]>Thu, 22 Nov 2012 05:55:55 GMThttp://www.piecesofadream.org/blog/we-are-thankful-forPicture
Pieces of a Dream, Inc. is Thankful for.... 

Friends:  Our DreamWeaver Donors and the consistent supporters of our events are integral to
our success for the past 6 years.

Family:  The members of Pieces of a Dream Dance Theatre, P*D2, and our Board of Directors, past and present, have contributed their time, talent, and treasure in the nurturing of
this organization.

Community:  Our Community consists of everyone who loves the arts.  You are the reason why we create modern
dance choreography that is meaningful and socially relevant.  Thank you!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

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