News

Hiring Executive Director

Blue13 Dance Company seeks a full-time Executive Director to address the organization’s needs in the areas of development, operations, marketing and fundraising. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills, non-profit arts administration experience, and a passion for dance and the arts. This is a 40 hours/week position.

To read full job description and to apply, visit our Linkedin profile to submit your resume and cover letter by August 23, 2021.

Decolonizing the Canon: Blue13 Dance Company Review

Sophie Bress for Ampersand LA

Blue13 questions the lines that we use to divide dance into categories, the lines that denote what is diminishingly called a “fusion” or “cultural” dance form. The company breaks these arbitrary lines, showing us there is no need for them. Blue13 dancers, clad in vibrantly adorned costumes and ghungroos (bells worn on the ankles in traditional Indian dance forms), whirl across the stage, swaying their hips in time to the beat of the drum, pausing only to balance in perfect arabesques, topping off their poses with the intricate arm, wrist and hand positions that come from classical Indian dance. McDaniels’ choreography shows us how much can be gained by a deep understanding and exploration of multitudes of dance styles. 

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Ever Seen a Beatles Baraat?

ACHINTA’S BEATLES BARAAT

Blue13’s Achinta  created some pretty unique and incredible concepts in June for her brother’s big wedding in Greenwich, Connecticut!  Never one to be part of the status quo, McDaniel created a Beatles song Baraat (the groom’s traditional procession filled with dancing family and friends en route to the wedding), with choreographed moves, live drumming and a stilt walker.  Even The Huffington Post India picked up on the excitement.  Video by Vinnie Chhabra.  Music: Love me Do, The Beatles.  Dhol: Sonny Brooklynwala.

Achinta Off to Michigan to Set a Piece on Young Ballet Dancers

I’m so excited to fly to Michigan tomorrow morning bright and early (send me good traffic vibes, LA).  I’m honored to be setting a Bollywood piece on a group of talented dancers from the Young People’s Ballet Theatre in Flint.  My family/friends from the Grand Rapids Ballet, Nick and Laura Schultz, asked me to come out and choreograph the grand finale of their student group, and I of course, happily accepted.  Can’t wait to work with this young dancers, and to show you all the finished product.  Look out for my tweets and instagrams all weekend!

-Achinta S. McDaniel