We can’t dance around the fact that the COVID-19 crisis has taken a toll on performing arts organizations, which even in non-pandemic times struggle to make ends meet. Many local groups and performers have sought to raise money by gamely going to the web, entertaining stuck-at-home patrons in digital and often dazzling ways, merely asking for donations in return.
The Capital Dance Project, many of whose artists are familiar to fans of the Sacramento Ballet, has for the past month been releasing dance videos that can be viewed online for free.
“Choreographed and performed by CDP artists, and in collaboration with filmmaker Brandon Manning,” the CDP says, “the series celebrates our Sacramento community with featured local artists, musicians, and city landmarks.”
These are clever, fun little creations that can be enjoyed over and over again. Take, for example, “A Cacophony . . . in Old Sacramento.” Dancers Frances Chae, Christopher Nachtrab and Dylan Keane exuberantly enact a silent-movie melodrama in grainy black-and-white before exploding into technicolor against two local landmarks: the Delta King riverboat and the Ziggurat building.
The last of the 11 videos is scheduled to be released at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. A full viewing of the series will be shared on Oct. 2. All the previously released videos can be seen on the CDP website, Instagram and Facebook.
Manning is a Sacramento-based filmmaker who, as described by the CDP, “collaborates with local artists, musicians, and dancers to produce content that lifts everyone’s spirit – whatever their class, creed, color, gender, sexuality, or otherwise.”
The dancer-run CDP, founded in 2015, seeks to “uplift the spirit of the Sacramento community through inclusive, innovative, and collaborative performing arts experiences.”
CDP’s digital series is sure to make you smile and very well might inspire you to part with dough to support those who pas de deux.
