Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble
Celebrating over 40 years, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble is an internationally recognized, roots-based music and dance company showcasing the cultural diversity of percussive dance. Footworks has a reputation for exceptional performances, bringing the joy and energy of percussive dance and music to audiences worldwide. Footworks offers a wide range of services including theater and festival performances, workshops, arts-integrated assemblies and residencies, and community outreach programming. All of Footworks programming is a celebration of cultural diversity. The Washington Post declares, “The eruptive joy of Footworks dancers is as contagious as laughter!”
Minimum number of performances and/or workshops required for travel or hire:
Two contracts in a 24 hour period to justify travel to Cumberland County.
Assembly Performance:Keeping the Beat
Multicultural Influences in American Music and Dance
Footworks shares the joy of dance and live music while illuminating the multicultural roots of American percussive dance. The program includes live music, American clogging, tap, and hamboning, call and answer songs, Irish and African dance and more. Students will learn about the diversity and commonality of peoples and their music and dance as essential aspects of history and human experience. The program is tailored for all age groups and includes lots of audience participation. Curriculum Connectors: Multicultural, History/Social Studies, Music, Dance, and P.E.
Duration: 45-50 minutes
Grade Level: Pre-K, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students: No Student Maximum
Maximum Number of Performances: 4
Technical Requirements:
- Can perform on any floor as long as it is not carpeted and is smooth with no uneven surfaces.
- A wooden performing is preferred if available.
- A microphone on a stand connected to the PA system in the performance space is appreciated but not required.
- Access to the performance space 45 min. to 1 hr. before the performance.
NC Essential Standards: K-8 Essential Standards – Dance K-8.R.1- Use a variety of thinking skills to analyze and evaluate dance. K-8.C.1- Understand cultural, historical, and interdisciplinary connections with dance. 9-12 Essential Standards – Dance B.C.1, I.C.1, P.C.1, A.C.1- Understand cultural, historical, and interdisciplinary connections with dance. Elementary- K.H.1.3 Explain the impact of how life events bring change (a new sibling, moving to a new house, a new job, a new school, etc.) 1.H.1.1 Explain how and why neighborhoods and communities change over time. 2.C.1 Understand how various cultures influence communities. 4.C.1 Understand the impact of various cultural groups on North Carolina. Middle School- Essential Standard: 6.H.2 Understand the political, economic and/or social significance of historical events, issues, individuals and cultural groups High School- AH1.H.1.1 Use Chronological Thinking to: 1. Identify the structure of a historical narrative or story: (its beginning, middle and end)
Cost: $990 One Program / $1320 Two Programs (same school, same day)
Assembly Performance:Irish Roots and American
Irish Roots and American Branches
Performing live Irish music and dance with their descendant American styles, Footworks illuminates the American story of traditions coming from the Old World and meeting others here, resulting in new traditions. Students learn the powerful role the Irish played in influencing music and dance in North Carolina and the Unites States. Showcasing many traditional Irish dance and music styles along with their American branches, this performance gets audience singing and dancing along to this entertaining and educational performance. This program is tailored to fit all ages groups.
Duration: 45-50 minutes
Grade Level: Pre-K, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Maximum Number of Students: No Student Maximum
Maximum Number of Performances: 4
Technical Requirements:
- Can perform on any floor as long as it is not carpeted and is smooth with no uneven surfaces.
- A wooden performing is preferred if available.
- A microphone on a stand connected to the PA system in the performance space is appreciated but not required.
- Access to the performance space 45 min. to 1 hr. before the performance.
NC Essential Standards: K-8 Essential Standards – Dance K-8.R.1- Use a variety of thinking skills to analyze and evaluate dance. K-8.C.1- Understand cultural, historical, and interdisciplinary connections with dance. 9-12 Essential Standards – Dance B.C.1, I.C.1, P.C.1, A.C.1- Understand cultural, historical, and interdisciplinary connections with dance. Elementary- K.H.1.3 Explain the impact of how life events bring change (a new sibling, moving to a new house, a new job, a new school, etc.) 1.H.1.1 Explain how and why neighborhoods and communities change over time. 2.C.1 Understand how various cultures influence communities. 4.C.1 Understand the impact of various cultural groups on North Carolina. Middle School- Essential Standard: 6.H.2 Understand the political, economic and/or social significance of historical events, issues, individuals and cultural groups High School- AH1.H.1.1 Use Chronological Thinking to: 1. Identify the structure of a historical narrative or story: (its beginning, middle and end)
Cost: $990 One Program / $1320 Two Programs (same school, same day)
Residency:Roots and Rhythm
Footworks teaches traditional music and dance in a way that makes participation accessible and fun. Students will learn a multicultural percussive dance, such as tap, clogging, Irish step, South African gumboot, or many others, a song from that culture, and its history. Residency workshops are tailored to integrate with curriculum and help develop motor skills, focus, and community building. Students will learn the vital role that music and dance play in history and human experience. Residency workshops are tailored to all ages. 1-2 artists.