Joffrey: Mavericks Of American Dance is a documentary film produced by Lakeview Films and released by Hybrid Cinema, that chronicles the over 50 year history of the Joffrey Ballet, known as the first truly American dance company.
During the Joffrey Ballet’s 2008 Spring Gala in Chicago, executive producer Jay Alix and producer Una Jackman sat with their friends, famed Hollywood screenwriter/director Harold Ramis and his wife Erica Mann Ramis in a theater box next to the Joffrey’s Artistic Director Gerald Arpino.
Noting that Arpino did not look well due to his advanced age, Alix suggested to the others that someone ought to sit Arpino down and videotape interviews with him about the founding of the Joffrey before it was too late. Alix and Harold Ramis had been looking for a film project on which to collaborate. “Joffrey: Mavericks Of American Dance” became that project.
Narrated by Tony® and Emmy® Award winner Mandy Patinkin and directed by Bob Hercules (Bill T. Jones-A Good Man), the film documents how The Joffrey Ballet revolutionized American ballet by daringly combining modern dance with traditional ballet technique, combining art with social statement and setting ballets to pop and rock music scores.
View the trailer:
The Giveaway
Lakeview Films and Hybrid Cinema would like to give away ONE signed copy and TWO unsigned copies of Joffrey: Mavericks Of American Dance on DVD to Dance Advantage readers.
This beautifully designed, six panel DVD package features rarely seen photos and the film contains excerpts from many seminal Joffrey works including Astarte, Trinity and Billboards, as well as breakthrough collaborations with choreographers Twyla Tharp (Deuce Coupe), Kurt Jooss (The Green Table) and Leonide Massine (Parade).
ONE grand prize winner will receive a signed copy of the DVD. It was signed at the world premiere screening which took place January 27 at the Walter Reade Theater in Lincoln Center, New York City where “Joffrey: Mavericks Of American Dance” was the opening night film of the Dance on Camera Festival. Signatures are from the film’s director Bob Hercules, current Joffrey artistic director Ashley C. Wheater, and former Joffrey principal dancers Trinette Singleton and Christian Holder.
There only 100 copies signed by these artists for sale (retail $34.95) at www.joffreymovie.com.
TWO additional winners will receive one copy of the unsigned DVD (sold for $24.95).
The Joffrey Movie giveaway is open worldwide to those 18 and up and closes at Midnight EST on Thursday, February 23.
How To Enter
This giveaway is closed but you can find DVD copies of the film, podcasts, video, and much, much more at www.joffreymovie.com
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Where are you mostly likely to see a film like this dance documentary? (In a theater, Video on Demand, Netflix rental, online streaming like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon, iTunes?)
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Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world. Read Nichelle’s posts.
Most likely we would watch this on Netflix or on DVD. I would love to see this in the theatre, but typically it is way too expensive for us to go. We rarely see any movies in the theatre anymore. Thanks for a fun week of giveaways!
thanks for answering Kristi
I, too, would love to see this film in the theater, but my husband and I will definitely watch it via online streaming or on DVD. (I’m SO hoping the film includes excerpts from the dance “Force Fields,” which I saw in Chicago in 1986 and have never forgotten, as watching that breathtaking dance was one of the most transcendent experiences I’ve ever had!)
I was so fortunate to see the Chicago premiere of the film at the Gene Siskel Film Center last night with fellow writer/blogger Catherine Tully. What a great gathering of dance minds, and what a beautiful film! I hope that it will make its way into college dance history classrooms and young dancers’ living rooms as word spreads about this important aspect of American dance history.
Thanks Lauren, dance historians and dance history classes are definitely groups we have reached out to. Some make it a field trip to a nearby cinema, but some may buy an institutional copy of the film to show in a classroom setting.
This would be a wonderful film in a theatre that shows great foreign and indie films. I can’t always get to those showings so it would be nice if it was on Netflix after that.
Hi Janet,
We agree and we are working to get it into such theaters, but also into community centers, museums, live performance auditoriums etc. anywhere a dance audience is likely to attend. We choose our locations based on where we think a dance audience or arts community is located, or you can request it from us if you know there is such a community where you live. Because the film’s release is being handled in a non corporate way, we are open to screening it where the audience is, not just where theater chain circuits are.
Netflix is coming, but as is traditional, it won’t be available there for months.
I would most likely see this film on DVD or video on demand.
thanks for letting us know Bridget.
Would love to watch dance on the big screen! However, living in a small town means having to utilize Red Box or Netflicks
thanks Sasha, we are working to get it on as many big screens as possible throughout the Spring, many are scheduled in small towns.
We are mainly utilizing the Emerging Pictures network of cinemas across the US, so if your town has one but they haven’t scheduled a screening, you can influence that. Here is a map of all the possible cities.
http://www.batchgeo.com/map/EmergingCinemas
It is up to the theater to request to screen the film and they are more likely to do it if they think there is interest.
Otherwise, anyone can request a screening on our site and if there is enough interest in an area, we can find a venue.
I would probably buy the dvd to add to my collection. I love to have great dvds, videos and books on dance. We live in a mid-size city we never get dance movies in our theaters.
thanks Isabelle for answering. This is an evergreen subject as well, so it fits into being a collectible. As I said in other comments, you may request the film to play your town and if we feel like there is interest (meaning by more than just you :)), we will work to schedule it, even if it isn’t in a cinema theater.
The perfect way to see ‘Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance’ in Houston, Texas, would be at the River Oaks Theatre on West Gray; but I’d give an eyetooth to have a copy of it for my very own personal DVD library.
thanks Rebecca, we have been speaking at great length to get the film to Houston. The Houston Ballet was especially keen to see this happen so we will keep everyone posted via our newsletter when a date is scheduled. If you aren’t already on the email list to receive the newsletter, you can do that on our website.
We would definitely watch this on DVD as we would intend to own it. My husband is a retired professional ballet dancer, who once danced with Joffrey, and then went on to teach ballet to many who went on to be professional themselves, some with Joffrey. As an adult, I fell in love with ballet before I fell in love with my husband, my ballet teacher, and it still remains a significant part of our lives.
thanks for your reply Shelley, who is your husband? I have been collecting stories from Joffrey alumni for our podcast series on the Soundcloud channel.
I did see this film in NYC, at the Dance on Camera festival, and so enjoyed looking back at the history of a company that figured so prominently in my life, and seeing dancers that I remember from way back then. All I can say is, I would like more! There’s still plenty to say and see, so outtakes and extra footage would be much appreciated. I’d love additional interviews, especially: Russell Sultzbach, Robert Thomas, Scott Barnard, for example. Sadly, I know too many have been lost to AIDS or other ailments (Becky Wright). Their words will be missed.
Since I once worked backstage–more glitter! More glitter! are words I remember from Gerry Arpino–the film definitely touched my heart.
Hi Karen,
Great that you came to the world premiere. Outtakes and extra footage are available on our Youtube channel, more to come throughout the spring. We won’t be conducting any more video interviews, but we do have audio interviews still being conducted on our podcast series on the Soundcloud channel.. What performances do you remember working?
Do I remember working–do you mean, was I behind the scenes for? Or that I thought were particularly successful? I started there as an intern, and was fortunate enough to see rehearsals and performances every day during that time. Later, when I attended college, I worked part-time in the offices, dealing with ticket reservations. I was still allowed to go out front and grab an empty seat. I think for a few years, I saw almost everything they did in NYC. One thing mentioned in the film that sparked memories was Kurt Joss. I recall standing not too far from him during the time he was rehearsing not “Green Table” but the full program of his other works: Big City, Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte, and Waltz in Old Vienna. What I remember was almost a sort of glow about him; I felt immediately that I was in the presence of a very special man. Another memory? Rehearsals in the Joffrey School for both “New York Export Opus Jazz” as it was being restaged, and another for “Interplay.” For that last, I watched Eddie Verso and Denise Jackson rehearse the Pas de Deux as the sunset streamed through the studio window, providing a gorgeous backdrop for an amazing, danced-full-out run-through. One of the very best I have ever seen.
yes, both work and pieces you thought were great. Did you meet Denise at the premiere? She was there with Christian Holder. Holder in particular loved performing Robbins.
I was unable to see the screenings here in LA, so I will purchase it and have it to watch in my living room as many times as I like! Can’t wait to see it.
Hi Tracy,
The LA screening at the Zipper was a blast especially since Francoise Martinet was able to join us there. She is featured in the film. The next big California screening with a panel is San Francisco in March. Check our Screenings page on the website for all upcoming venues, though more are added weekly.
On -line streaming – Amazon.
Thanks Deb, would you do online streaming if it was from our own site?
also, would anyone here host a streaming viewer on their site if they could earn an affiliate percentage of the sale easily?
Probably through Netflix on DVD or streaming.
thanks Jenna, any streaming sites you use in particular?
I would most likely watch this through Hulu or Netflix. Great giveaway!
thanks Cait. Both are scheduled to happen, but most likely not until July. Those platforms can’t be accessed by the filmmaker directly and film distributors take their time (and so does Netflix) when getting films out digitally.
the theaters where I live don’t show movies like this. I would get it from netflix.
Hi Alia,
We will have it on Netflix, but it won’t be until this summer.
Netflix or Hulu
I will most likely see this through Netflix or OnDemand… but plan to buy the DVD if I don’t win it here! 🙂
I would either see it at a theater ( if it’s playing at one near me), rent it from Netflix, or ask my family to get it for my birthday!:)
Unfortunately, I am not residing in the U.S.
I am in Malaysia to be exact, and cinemas here … well, let’s say they hardly screen documentaries. Which is a waste, really, as I would’ve love to watch this on the big screen. If I am not mistaken, I think some of the sites mentioned are blocked from streaming out of the U.S. too. So, I guess my only hope lies on the DVD (or Amazon?) Besides that, it would be great to share this documentary of a world renowned company with my other ballet friends too – hmm…. *light bulb moment* this calls for a ‘film screening’ session with my ballet friends 🙂
We are open to booking international screenings too. In fact, we just received requests for Canada and New Zealand this week. Also we plan to stream the film from our own site for our international fans so we are definitely planning to get the film to our fans around the world, not just in the US. Thanks for leaving a comment Sasha.
Yayyy!!! Thank you very much! Am looking forward to the screening on the website then (and hopefully in the cinemas over here). 🙂
Great way to learn about a company that started from humble beginnings and achieved greatness.
Thanks Roman, I suspect many companies start this way. 🙂 Hope you like the film.
Here in Australia I guess the only way I would get to see this film would be via Amazon and buying the DVD. I have, and keep adding to, a library of DVDs of ballets and dance companies from all over the world that I lend to students so they can absorb the goings on in the world of dance. It is a form of education, they need to see what is going on outside of their own small world. They are inspired by the amazing people they see, and I hope this will open up a world of opportunities for them within the dance world, not necessarily just as dancers, but perhaps involved in either choreography, design, or even the musical side of things. They need to know our global dance history, we must be careful not to lose this precious information. Let’s not forget that the people in these films are often the ones who inspired us to pass on the baton, and our souls need to be refreshed so that we may pass more on to the next generation. 🙂
Hi Sarah, thanks for your answer. We have DVD for collections but we will also have streaming on our own site so anyone in the world will be able to watch it without corporate website barriers. If you haven’t already, check out our Soundcloud channel where there are audio interviews, most not included in the film, from Joffrey alumni from almost all eras.
http://soundcloud.com/sheri-m-candler You can even download to hear them later on. This companion project for the film enables us to widen the story beyond an 82 minute movie and allow the alumni to say what they feel about being part of the Joffrey company. Most podcasts are around 20 minutes.
I would be most likely to see this film in the theatre but would love to be able to purchase it so that I can share with my dancers. I tried to see it when it came out, but there was not a theatre around that was showing it. Strange that I can manage to see the Bolshoi, Royal Ballet, etc. live- steamed in a theatre and can’t see our own county’s historical dance documentary. Can’t wait to see it as my teacher was with the Joffery!
Hi Denise, thanks for your answer.
It is still having screenings, the difference is this isn’t a Hollywood studio film so it won’t be playing on thousands of screens nationwide. Anyone can request for it to play their community though and if there is enough interest, we can arrange a screening in a venue. I know most consumers have been trained that DVD comes out AFTER the cinema run, but this film isn’t being distributed that way. We are selling DVDs, screening in cinemas and will have streaming online available very soon. All at the same time. You get to choose how you see it or own it. Screening venues are updated weekly on our website.
The film was self financed by the producers (it was not made by the Joffrey Ballet), made on a modest budget, it is being distributed on a modest budget and so it won’t try to compete with the multi millions that Hollywood spends on its films. Plus we would like to recoup the spend, unlike most independently made films that mostly don’t achieve this even though box office returns look deceivingly like success. There’s a lot of spend behind a big box office number. Enough with the film distribution education. 🙂
We will offer a multitude of ways so that everyone will be able to see it.
I would love to be able to see this in a small cinema here in the UK but realistically will probably watch it on DVD. One of my old teachers was a principal at the Joffrey so I would love to learn more about the company that he spent most of his time performing with.
Dave
I would love for you to be able to see it in a cinema in the UK too, with Christian Holder in attendance! But we don’t have plans for that at the moment. Working on a few things in the UK. The thing about watching the movie at home and watching it in a cinema is we try to bring more than just the film to the cinema. Whenever possible, we have the director and a Joffrey alum who is in the community come and do a post screening Q&A. This is something that can’t be experienced at home.
We would absolutely watch it on DVD. We drive 40-45 minutes each way from Pearland to Clear Lake 5 days per week so that my 10-year old son can attend class with former Joffrey Ballet Master/Principal Mr. Luis Fuente… plenty of time to watch the video… and still learn more about dance! They did get to see a little of it in his “Ballet History” seminar, but I know he would like to see the whole thing… especially looking for Mr. Luis!
Great to hear Julie, we are also working with Bay Area Houston Ballet to bring the film to a cinema and have Mr. Fuente participate. Maybe you can have both!
I would totally watch this on DVD . I recently auditioned for Joffrey’s summer intensive and would love to learn more about the company.
Great JC, also check out Sasha Anawalt’s book on the history of the Joffrey for a very comprehensive look. It’s been my guidebook on this film.
http://www.amazon.com/Joffrey-Ballet-American-Company-ebook/dp/B0071QRKKY/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329848663&sr=1-2
I would most likely see this on a theatre, but I don’t live in U.S. and in my country it’s like impossible that it would happen, so I can only watch these kinds of things online.
Where are you Mariela? It could be possible if there is enough interest. But we will have it online soon, especially for international fans.
I’m in Brazil.
I would be most likely to see it at a showing at the university here. The dance department has had similar events before.
oh, what University? We have been speaking with some, but so far nothing is scheduled yet for this semester.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. We just had a showing of some of the Dance on Camera films, which was great.
In general, this is the type of film I’d buy in DVD. We are Joffrey supporters and subscribers, so we’d want to own a copy.
I’m seeing the film tonight at the Siskel Center in Chicago with my dancing daughters. Unfortunately, my wife (the main dance maven in the family), is quite ill and won’t be able to attend.
great about attending the Siskel tonight with your daughters. The panel tonight represents the new generation of Joffrey so I think your daughters will like it.
For me this would be online streaming or by DVD.
I’ll see this one in a theater, but usually on DVD
Just curious why in a theater on this one?