Acclaimed Artistic Director Jimmy Locust assembles professional choreographers and youth troupes from near   and far, and exciting multi-genre performers to celebrate his youth ensemble, Locust Contemporary Dance Works.

Locust Contemporary Dance Works (LCDW), Connecticut’s premiere youth contemporary jazz ensemble, marks its 10th Season with “Principles of Life” at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York City on March 8.  The multi-media concert, presented by LCDW artistic director/founder Jimmy Locust, showcases fresh works from established and new youth dance ensembles, introduces an innovative professional troupe, and features celebrated choreographers, live musical performances, film and poetry.  Internationally known for his creative vision and his high energy, razor-sharp jazz,  Locust has shared stage and screen with popular music superstars, choreographed Olympic ceremonies, and produced memorable moments in feature films, music videos, TV shows and commercials, and in live dance and theatrical events.   

Tickets, at $25, are now on sale, at http://tickets.tribecapac.org/principles-of-life  or (212)220-1460. The BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center is located at 199 Chambers St., New York, NY 10007 (BMCC campus). For further information, please visit www.locustperformingarts.com or email LPACstamford@aol.com.

LCDW’s 10th season celebration represents a “coming full circle” for Locust, illustrating the growth of his performing arts school and hinting at his vision for the future.  His 12-member ensemble will share new choreography that pays tribute to classic jazz while requiring technical artistry and emotional depth, in jazz and contemporary pieces “Bang Bang” and "Metaphors.”  Performing will be youth from Stamford, CT and surrounding towns, including:  Julia Brodie, Sarah Druckman, Lily Gordon, Jenna Hyman, Sydnie Lesser,  Max Rigby-Hall, Olivia Schnefke, Gvantsa Ambokadze,   Hetty McMillan, Morgan Rafferty, and  Amelia Becker, and Ashley Maitland.

The Connecticut Contemporary Movement Company, which brings together six seasoned dancers who understand Locust’s texture and movement vocabulary, is debuting “Metheny Trilogy,” a three-part work inspired by the choreographer’s long admiration for jazz guitar master Pat Metheny.

Locust and singer-songwriter Drew Yowell, known for his emotionally charged vocals and rootsy, melodic songs, are reprising their popular tradition of staged improvisation. Accompanied by Yowell, Locust dances to a song selected moments before, producing an “in the moment performance” that is captured on stage by visual artist Mindy Vaccino. 

The audience will meet Isodoc Dance Group, newly founded by LCDW alumnus Jeff Docimo to explore the fusion of contemporary and urban dance and comprised of dancers who studied at NYU Tisch, Juilliard, Marymount, and New World School of the Arts. Isodoc is offering an excerpt from its very first work, 'Cut Crawlers,” examining how individuals relate and react to modern day social conflicts, with music by Beethoven and electronic musician XXYYXX.  A Stamford, CT native, Docimo began his dance training under Locust as a teenager before pursuing dance studies at New World School of the Arts.   

In addition, Axam Dance Theatre Experience (Axam DTE), a collaborative, Atlanta, GA based professional company – led by Dawn Axam - fusing movement, music, sound, visual arts and storytelling into a seamless artistic expression, offers “Season, Reason, Lifetime.“  Axam and Locust met and shared the stage in the 1990’s, performing in an Atlanta-based company that presented Locust’s choreography. 

Two youth companies are highlighting themes of artistic discovery and empowerment:  the esteemed Peridance Youth Ensemble, directed by Shelley Grantham, debuts “Inner Gold” by Shelly Masenoir-Hutchinson;  and the exciting t move, a Chagrin Falls, OH youth dance group led by Tuni Deignan, makes its company debut with the premiere of “tree soul.”  

Other highlights are: Locust dancing a contemporary solo to his poem “The Simple Logic”; contemporary dance by Liana Martinez; guitarist Jeffrey Vaccino, with "Danza Mora" by Tarrega; a performance by the young singer Zara Williamson; a short film by visual artist Mindy Vaccino; and new jazz and contemporary works from LCDW II and Locust Preparatory Company, youth ensembles from the Locust Performing Arts Center (LPAC).    

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 “This dynamic new dance company blends technical precision with artistic expression, delivering a diverse repertoire that’s sure to captivate audiences,” Amy Stimpfle, former Director of Marketing at Capezio," said of Locust Contemporary Dance Works.

Founded by Jimmy Locust in 2005, Locust Contemporary Dance Works (LCDW) is a jazz-focused contemporary company featuring groundbreaking choreography and imagery that inspires young and old alike.   Performing throughout New England and in New York City, the youth ensemble provides an outlet for all levels of dance appreciation and brings a highly emotional flair to the arena of company work.  LCDW takes a straight forward approach to classic jazz as it draws on other techniques from yesterday and today.  Company members develop as artists through rigorous classes at Locust’s Stamford, CT performing arts school and by actively participating in his mission of moving the performing arts beyond the studio and into the fabric of the community.