The Haviland Society Funding to Enhance the Arts
Philadelphia, PA - To recognize the talents and strengths of a trio of young choreographers, the distinguished Haviland Society sponsored a reception at the University of the Arts School of Dance followed by "Spring Dances" at the Merriam Theater. UArts President Miguel Angel Corzo welcomed Lawrence S. Reichlin, Chair, The Haviland Society, and guests.
An attempt to list all the achievements of the three featured choreographers might require an entire issue of Dancer Magazine but herewith, a small com-pilation from the résumés of Takana Kojima, Christopher L. Huggins and Rennie Harris.
Professor Takana Kojima is a visiting guest artist from Japan where she teaches at the Okinawan (Island) Prefectural University of Arts. Her traditional presentation, "Mamidohma" was choreographed to express the pleasure of work and a good harvest as well as the seeking of solace in song and dance during periods of affliction.
Rennie Harris Puremovement is the name of the Philadelphia Dance Company headed by Artistic Director/Choreographer/Director Harris. Because he was intrigued by, and involved in, the street origins in styles of dance, particularly the universality of hip-hop, Harris was voted one of the most influential people in the last 100 years of Philadelphia's history. His contribution to "Spring Dances" was simply named "Human" with "Body and Soul Volume 3" music edited by Darrin Ross for Bad Boi Productions.
Christopher Huggins' piece, "Rendezvous" was seemingly meant to provide his own, apt description of his personal creativity which he calls "eclectic." Since his departure from the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Huggins has toured the world as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. For the past five years, he has taught at Philadanco's summer intensive program. Presently, he is on staff at Ballet ARTS (NYC) and he will be a featured teacher for Dance Masters of America.
Other choreographers listed in this segment of the "Spring Dances" were Brian Sanders "The New Wave"; Andrew Pap "Temps Levé"; Molly Misgalla and Wayne St. David "Yes We Can, 'Can-Can.'"
The Haviland Society is named for legendary Philadelphia architect, John Haviland, 1792-1852. Its rousing theme song lyrics to music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, (of Gilbert and...) sung and danced at this event by UArts students, best describe the Society's activities.
"We come to sing the praises of The Haviland Society/Who serve the University with honor and sobriety/They've pledged to keep the arts among their chief responsibili-ties/Contributing the funds that make us rich with possibilities.
"John Haviland, the architect, a man of great nobility/Designed the place that's home to our illustrious facility/We use his name to recognize (with suitable humility)/A group with most uncommon philanthropical ability.
"Thru seasons of prosperity and seasons of adversity/They've given their support to our beloved university/So let us raise our voices without fear of impropriety/And sing a rousing chorus to The Haviland Society.
"It takes a lot to run a major modern university/Espec'lly one that's rich in innovation and diversity/We have to buy the costumes and the light bulbs for the galleries/And pay the dancing teachers and the art professors' salaries.
"There's digital computers for the kids in multimedia/And funding so the library can buy encyclopedias/The items that we need are so expensive and so various/The next thing that you know we'll have to buy a Stradivarius!
"So, though we do our darndest to get everything we can for free/We'd never pull it off without the help of their philanthropy/So let us raise our voices without fear of impropriety/And sing a rousing chorus to The Haviland Society!"