Passion Fruit Dance Company in Residency at the Cherry

Presented by NYS DanceForce and the Cherry Arts

For this year’s June Dance, we’re welcoming Passion Fruit Dance Company, acclaimed for their work performing and promoting Street and Club dance styles, for a residency at the Cherry. Passion Fruit has earned high acclaim for their work, including the Juried Bessie Award in 2022, and use a unique combination of performance and education to advance Street and Club dance, and to highlight its black heritage and contribution to society. Passion Fruit will perform Dance within your Dance twice, exhibit photography and multimedia work in the Cherry Gallery, and offer a workshop on house dance.

Dance Within Your Dance Performance

June 7 & 8, 7:30 pm
Cherry Artspace

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What is the groove?
How do you find it?
How much weight does it hold in self-expression?

In Dance Within Your Dance, Passion Fruit founder and choreographer Tatiana Desardouin invites you to connect with the techniques, rhythms and essence of hip-hop and house dance. This work shows how, in these communities, we develop, struggle, connect, and create our own — and collective — signatures.

Performed by Tatiana and Lauriane Ogay, the performance will run about an hour, with a 20 minute discussion afterwards.

After June 8th’s performance, stick around for a brief workshop on Finding Your Groove with Passion Fruit leading into a dance party, featuring hip-hop and house music and channeling the street & club dance styles featured by Passion Fruit in their performance.

Check out a trailer of Dance Within Your Dance:

Passion Fruit Seeds: Focus on House Dance Workshop

Join Passion Fruit for an introduction to house dance culture, drills, foundations, and incorporating some variations and freestyle exercises. Participants will learn how to connect movements with music, tools for creativity and individuality. The class will also include conversations where the students will be introduced to ‘An Introspective Seed,’ which is a series of question for an introspective anti-racist work.

June 5, 6–7:30 pm

Attire: t-shirt, sweat pants and sneakers

Dimensions Gallery Exhibition

May 24–June 23 at the Cherry Gallery (130 Cherry St)
Opening Reception May 24, 5–7pm, with the artists and refreshments
June Gallery Night June 7, 5–7:30pm, preceding Dance Within Your Dance performance

In order to create a more immersive and interactive version of this multi-disciplinary theater work, Passion Fruit Dance Company invites you to an art exhibition version of Dimensions.

Dimensions is a piece centered around perception shifts and stimulating critical conversations through multimedia infused dance performance. Dimensions explores the idea of multiple dimensions through street/club dance, bodycasting, motion capture, projections, animation, live music, live painting, and photography. The artists explore physical, spiritual, and spatio-temporal intricacies.

All of the artistic mediums used for this exhibition will not only be developed as part of the “Dimensions” art exhibition, but will also be used in the dance piece.

This art exhibition will continually evolve over time and reflect the development of the theater work. It is a piece that encourages us to consider that there is more than what is perceived in a three-dimensional world.

The idea of multiple selves, or personality traits, has always been of great interest in my artistic works. This time I wanted to explore the notion of self within the idea of multiple dimensions. We are programmed to fit a certain frame, which alters our judgment. Through Dimensions, I ask my audience, ‘what if we could choose to have a different one?’

TATIANA DESARDOUIN

In a society of mass consumption, we often miss opportunities to connect fully with ourselves and our immediate surroundings. How do you perceive a smile, a body part, or even an emotion in the current time and reality or dimension we live in?

LAURIANE OGAY

Bios

Passion Fruit Dance Company

Passion Fruit is a Street, Club dance and educational company founded in 2016 by Tatiana Desardouin. The company is composed of Lauriane Ogay, Nubian Néné, Lobel and Tatiana Desardouin (artistic director and choreographer). Through its performances, workshops, lectures, educational programs (designed to provide tools to heal, to release, to build confidence or to educate on the racial issue, providing anti-racist tools) called “Passion Fruit Seeds,” and a multisensory experience within a cultural party called “Les 5 Sens,” the company’s mission is: To promote the authenticity of street, clubbing dance styles and cultures; To highlight its black heritage and contribution to society; To explore the human experience, address social issues such as racism and to inspire young artists to share their voices.

They had the opportunity to work as educators using “Passion Fruit Seeds – Focus on the Youth” program at the Yerbabruja Arts Center, at the American Dance Festival, in several elementary schools and public schools in NYC and Upstate New York; in Switzerland for the City of Geneva with the “Passion Fruit Seeds: Hip-Hop culture, its foundations and its uprooting” program; and at the Connecticut college, The 5 Colleges (Smith College, Hampshire college, Amherst college and Mount Holyoke college) and Springfield College with the “Passion Fruit Seeds: Focus On Black Excellence” program. The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts received the NEA Grant for Arts Projects FY2022 to do the Passion Fruit Seeds – Focus On Black Excellence program in March 2023.

They performed the piece “Dance Within Your Dance” in places such as at The American Dance Festival, The Apollo Theater, Summerstage, Harlem Stage, Jacob’s Pillow, the New Victory Theater, BAAD!, LOHH, Joe’s Pub, 92Y, Musikfest, MASS MoCA and abroad: in Canada at the M.A.I (Montreal) and in Switzerland at the “Outside” festival (Neuchatel). They performed the piece “Trapped” at the Bridge Street Theater, the Lincoln Center, the Guggenheim and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn. The company is currently is currently working on a new works called “Dimensions.”

The company also have a students repertory pieces such as: CONNECTIONS performed at the 5 Colleges; DE/BOX performed at Hunter College, Springfield College &  Lehigh Charter High Arts school; PATH TO P(E)ACE performed at ADF for the Footprint program, Queensborough Community College and ACDA.

The company features in The New Yorker magazine (April 2021) and Dance Magazine’s 2020 “25 to Watch.” Tatiana features in Harper’s Bazaar magazine (2021) and is one of the winners of the Vilcek Foundation Prize for Creative Promise in Dance (2021-2022). She received the Juried Bessie Award in 2022.

Tatiana Desardouin, Artistic Director, Choreographer, Company Founder

From Switzerland and of Haitian origin, Tatiana is a professional dancer, dance instructor, dance consultant, choreographer, organizer, curator, and lecturer with a Masters degree as adult educator and a Bachelor in Psychology (University of Geneva). Tatiana won several competitions and is regularly invited to give workshops and judge competitions in several countries such as: Japan, Peru, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, France, Canada, Austria, Switzerland and USA. 

Very passionate and very involved in the growth of the swiss hip-hop scene, she has been teaching and mentoring since 2005, had her own dance school Le Centre Hip-Hop, is part of a non-profit promoting the street, club dance and culture called JAIA since 2012. She was one of the four founders of the first Hip-Hop dance company in Geneva called Continuum.

She developed her own teaching method called “Technique Within Your Groove.” She has taught at Peridance, Broadway Dance Center and was a former teacher at EXPG NYC (2016-2020). As a guest artist (dance instructor and lecturer) and adjunct professor she taught in universities such as Harvard University, Dartmouth University, the American University, the Connecticut College, Hunter College, the Five Colleges. Tatiana is adjunct professor at Springfield College and is a member of the 92NY’s faculty since 2022.

She is the director and choreographer of Passion Fruit Dance Company, a street dance theater and educational company, which she founded in 2016. The company made its debut through Kenny Clutch Festival (Philadelphia) and Pepatián organization (New York). Through its performances, workshops, lectures, educational programs called “Passion Fruit Seeds,” and cultural event called “Les 5 Sens,” the company’s mission is: To promote the authenticity of street, clubbing dance styles and cultures; To highlight its black heritage and contribution to society; To explore the human experience, address social issues such as racism; and to inspire young artists to share their voices. She performed with her company in places such as at The Apollo Theater, Summerstage, Jacob’s Pillow, the New Victory Theater, BAAD!Theater, Pregones theater, Ladies of Hip-Hop festival, Joe’s Pub, 92NY, the Guggenheim, Bridge Street Theater,  the Lincoln Center, Mass Moca, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn and abroad (Canada and Switzerland). 

Tatiana was selected as one of Dance Magazine’s 2020 “25 to Watch,” featured in the New Yorker magazine for the “Goings on about town” in 2021, Harper’s Bazaar in 2021, was awarded by the Vilcek Foundation Prizes for Creative Promise in Dance 2022 and is the 2022 Juried Bessie Award winner.

She had the chance to perform at the Madison Square Garden and the Wells Fargo Center for the rock band Arcade Fire, in “Electrogynous” by Sabela Grimes at Columbia University, in “Where Love Lies Follow”, a play written by Nichi Douglas, as a dance consultant for the premiere at The Shed, then as a dancer at the Martin E. Segal Theater for the Prelude Festival (NYC), at the Public Theater for the Under the Radar Festival (NYC), at the New York Library with “The Black Dancing Bodies” (LOHH) project. She also did a lecture-demonstration at Studio 5 and did a seminar for the Street Dance Ambassadors Program at New York City Center.

Tatiana was one of the core dancer of Rennie Harris Puremovement (2016-2021), Nefer Global Movement collective (2018-2023) and LayeRhythm Experiment Company (2019-2022). 

tatiana.desardouin@gmail.com

Instagram: @tatianadesardouin / @pfdancecompany

Facebook: Passion Fruit Dance Company

More: https://linktr.ee/PassionFruitDanceCo

Lauriane Ogay, dancer & photographer

Lauriane is a dancer and photographer from Switzerland, residing in NYC since 2012.

Through her career and as a core member of Passion Fruit dance company, Lauriane has performed at the Guggenheim Museum, UAlbany Performing Art Center, MassMoCA, Fiaf (French Institute Alliance Française), Lincoln Center, 92Y, American Dance Festival, Bessies Awards, Crossing the Line Festival, Bridge Street Theater, Dance Place DC, Harlem Stage, New Victory Theater, BAAD!, SummerStage, San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, The Foundry, Boston, Spring Up dance festival, MusikFest, Joe’s Pub, Tribeca Performing Art Center, Ladies of Hip-Hop festival and LatinMondayTaj. She is often called to be the assistant choreographer and external eye for PFDC’s student repertory works. 2024 marks her debut as a co-writer for the piece “Dimensions” performed by PFDC.

She has danced in commercials for Credo Beauty, Golden Goose and Metro Boutique. She is also a member of the legendary “Dance Fusion Family,” with whom she performed at Versastyle Festival, Los Angeles, 2019, and at Drom, New York, 2016.

Lauriane has been an active dancer in the street dance competition/battle realm since she started hip-hop at 14 years old. At 18 she began to travel to countries such as France, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Canada, and Japan to participate in street/club dance events, parties and workshops. NYC being the birthplace of hip-hop culture, she later traveled there, which eventually planted the seed for her career switch from a business admin to a professional dancer.

She has been a guest competitor for Roundz of Flame, D.I.C.E Battle, Times Square Arts x Behind The Groove and was a judge of “Street Beats Fringe Festival” Rochester, 2021, “I Like It x Artel 1520” Brooklyn, 2020, “I Like It” New York’ 2019. She won the WMC (Winter Music Conference), Miami, 2012, Roundz of Flame, NYC, 2018, and was finalist/semi finalist of D.I.C.E battle, NYC 2024, Ladies of Hip-Hop, NYC, 2015, Kings of New York, NYC, 2019, and New York City Jack, NYC, 2017.

Lauriane’s other passion lies behind the lens. From real estate, corporate events to nightlife and studio photography, she is also the in-house photographer for LayeRhythm. She has worked for Sono Motors, Worksport (Bell ceremony at Nasdaq), The Art of Alignment Academy, CityEvention, Runway7, NY Fashion Week, ElektraModel, Maui x Lolita, Pepatián, Negusworld, BAAD Theater. She had her photographs published on various websites and newspapers and made her first book cover “Baring Unbearable Sensualities” by Rosemarie A. Roberts in 2021. Her photography work “Dimensions” has been exhibited at “OneGroove” for PhysfestNYC, 2024, Crossing the Line Festival – Fiaf, 2023, Dance Initiative Carbondale, 2022, 92Y Street, 2022. At an opening of “Dance within your Dance”, (Passion Fruit dance theater piece), she created a digital exhibition on the “Groove” which was projected in multiple places such a Mass MoCA Museum, 92Y Street, Williams Hobart College and more.

Lauriane.ogay@gmail.com

Instagram: @loryane_lo / @Lauriane_ogay_photography

Facebook: Loryane Ogay

More info: https://linktr.ee/Laurianeogay

Danielle De Vito, Production Stage Manager

Danielle De Vito grew up just outside of NYC and was introduced to the production side of the performing arts at her high school’s performing arts curriculum program, PACE. She continued her studies at The American University in Washington DC, majoring in both Film and Dance Production. Since graduating in 2020, Danielle has worked at the American Dance Festival and with numerous dance and theater companies doing Production Stage Management and Company Management. These include: Passion Fruit Dance Company, Pilobolus, Parsons Dance, Dorrance Dance, LayeRythm, and One Year Lease Theater. Danielle loves how her work allows her to see dance & the performing arts from a wide range of styles and gets to travel the world. 

IG: @danielledevito1

Elmer Martinez, Lighting Designer

Born and Raised in Lowell MA, Elmer Martinez (ElmStreet) has been getting funky since 1996. Growing up a choir singer and percussionist, music was always around. Commencing his official dance training in 2011 at age 14, he has gone on to gain experience in a multitude of afrocentric movement forms as well as musical theater. His focus landed within the universe of Funk, House, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Street and Club/Social dances. While studying for his BFA in Theater Design/Studies with a minor in Dance at Emerson College (’19), Elmer continued to develop his training background in Ballet, Modern, Improv, House, Breakin, Hip-Hop, Locking, Popping and improvisational Latin Ballroom in class and the underground club parties of Boston and New York. Around this time he started DJing and diving deeper into music history.

Elmer became the Production Manager at Green Street Studios during his senior year of undergrad where he designed, danced and produced work in Cambridge, MA. This, as well as producing community events rooted in Hip-Hop culture from Open Mics- to Cyphers- to Battles, large-scale conventions and workshops. At Emerson, he founded the Hip-Hop Society in 2019, which continues to develop hip-hop programming and art projects on the Boston campus in order to preserve the integrity of black arts representation. After graduating, Elmer moved to New York City as a Professional Production Apprentice for Bill T. Jones’s New York Live Arts dance theater. After his departure he continued to freelance as a Lighting Designer/Technician for dance companies and festivals including The Yard,  theaters and special events between New York and Massachusetts, until his last pre-covid assignment at New York Theater Workshop off-Broadway. All this while dancing, producing, judging and teaching for the underground Hip-Hop and House Dance community locally and internationally. Since moving home to Massachusetts due to covid, Elmer has taken to publishing his poetry, modeling, hosting his live podcast Cultural Convos, training in dance, meditation, as well as producing and selling multimedia art projects. He has had the opportunity to teach lighting and dance workshops and programs through Brighter Boston, Harvard University and UMass Lowell during the pandemic among so many other art adventures.

Elmer is currently a part time faculty member at Urbanity Dance teaching hip-hop and is excited to serve as the Lighting Designer for Passionfruit Dance Company. As a facilitator Elmer focuses on incorporating mindfulness, meditation, and self empowerment in his sessions. He feels that as movers we are always in the pursuit of releasing the inner funk, and finding the permission within ourselves to get free while building an informed community. Elmer was dubbed ElmStreet by a mentor during his time in school, which serves as his street art alias. He is currently based in Somerville, MA and produces work out of his room, “The Nook” which he is curating into a group art show space this spring.

Instagram: @daoriginal96

Credits

Dance within your Dance Credits:

• Choreographed, Produced & Directed by Tatiana Desardouin
• Performed by Tatiana Desardouin  & Lauriane Ogay
• External Eye: Adesola Osakalumi and Miki Tuesday
• Vocals (a capella): Sam I Am Montolla
• Photography work: Lauriane Ogay 
• Music & video editing, photography: Loreto Jamlig
• Lighting Designer: Elmer Martinez
• Duration: 1 hour

Music:

• The Clown by Maribou State Feat. Pedestrian (Axel Bowman Remix)
• The reminiscence by Altered Natives
• Imam by Mark De Clive Lowe & Daz-I-Kue (Re-Bruk Remix)
• There Now acapella by Sam I Am Montolla
• Galactic Reigns by Abjo
• Easy by Question
• There Now by Frits Wentink (feat. Loes Jongerling)
• Caixa Gang by Abjo.

A piece developed during Dance Your Future residency and premiered at BAAD!Theater in 2017

Dimensions Exhibition Credits:

• Artistic direction: Tatiana Desardouin & Lauriane Ogay
• Photography work: Lauriane Ogay
• Models: Tatiana Desardouin, Lobel, Nubian Néné, Cal Hunt, Lauriane Ogay & Mai Lê Hô
• Mapping: Huiyi Chen
• VJing: Huiyi Chen
• Animator: DreamBiscuit
• Music production: Saadiq “ The Last Musician” Bolden

DIMENSIONS: Into the Process (Part 1) (2022), documentary projection. Credits:

• Concept & Artistic Direction: Tatiana Desardouin
• Documentary director: Tatiana Desardouin
• Piece written by: Tatiana Desardouin & Lauriane Ogay
• Choreographer: Tatiana Desardouin
• Photography work: Lauriane Ogay
• Dancers: Mai Lê Hô, Lauriane Ogay and Tatiana Desardouin
• Video filming & editing: Loreto Jamlig
• Co-filming: Danielle De Vito
• Video editing: Loreto Jamlig
• Motion caption: Qiu Yi Wu
• VJing: Huiyi Chen
• Music production: Saadiq “The Last Musician ” Bolden
• Courtesy of 92NY

For this and every Cherry-produced show, please let us know if you need any accommodations to make your attendance possible by emailing info@thecherry.org. There is ground level, no-step seating, and we can reserve seats and spaces for wheelchairs for mobility needs, and we can make sure it’s ready when you arrive if you email us in advance. We are happy to answer questions you have about the show and the space, and will make our best effort to make accommodations.

This project is made possible with funds from the NYS DanceForce, a partnership program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

The Cherry Arts is grateful to work with our season media sponsors: the Ithaca Times, Cinemapolis, and WRFI.