CONTRA-TIEMPO is a non-profit, Los Angeles based, activist dance company, founded and directed by Ana Maria Alvarez. CONTRA-TIEMPO is dedicated to transforming the world through dance. Their unique Urban Latin Dance Theater brings to life voices that are not traditionally heard on the concert stage. The company builds community, facilitate dialogue and move youth to imagine what is possible in the world.
CONTRA-TIEMPO fuses Salsa, Afro-Cuban, Contemporary urban and abstract dance theater, to create an invigorating blend of physically intense and politically astute performance. While their performances are consistently electrifying, what sets the company apart most is its unique relationship to its own community. CONTRA-TIEMPO is, much like the community it reaches, a tapestry. CONTRA-TIEMPO is an active and uncompromisingly radical take on the ways in which artists function within communities. Its company members, professional dancers and artists, are also immigrants, teachers, activists, organizers and movers of all types living and working in Los Angeles. Each member lives and struggles within the varied and infinitely complex political and personal landscapes, which Ana María seeks to address in her work.
Resident composer, César Alvarez, a founding member of the company, approaches the music for the group as if it were a new genre. CONTRA-TIEMPO's movement narrative calls for a complete rebuilding of "dance music" using a sonic vocabulary as far-reaching and diverse as the company members' backgrounds. In CONTRA-TIEMPO's performances César deconstructs salsa, collaging
Americana with hip-hop, poetry with clave, industrial and found sound with the powerful rhythmic traditions of the African Diaspora.
The company has several large-scale performance works, many shorter pieces, as well as community arts workshops for adults and young people that have been and continue to be presented in and around Los Angeles and abroad. CONTRA-TIEMPO’s work has been shared all over California, New York, Washington D.C., North Carolina, Georgia, Washington State, Arizona, Mexico, Puerto Rico and most recently Cuba.
For teens and pre-teens, the company's workshops address social, political and race issues through movement and through traditional cultural dance forms. For younger audiences workshops focus on how the body can be used as a tool for communication. It is CONTRA-TIEMPO's interest to create work that can be meaningful and enjoyed by a broad range of audiences regardless of age, class, race or politics. The company is dedicated to working with under served populations of young people, in particular communities of color. CONTRA-TIEMPO's commitment is to create dialogue and greater understanding across populations, in particular around issues of resistance and power. By doing this, CONTRA-TIEMPO is contributing to the development of more self reflective, socially and politically engaged and culturally responsible artists and communities!
" The new face of Los Angeles dance, and the new voice as well." – Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times
“A performance that moves beyond just dance, but expresses with its movements the strength of the Latino community in their struggle as they live in a country that is not their own."
"Alvarez is a rising star of the dance world." - Leonard Jacobs. Backstage, NY, NY
" L.A - based company CONTRA-TIEMPO is making waves with its bold approach to teaching and performance." - Dance Teacher Magazine
• Ana Maria Alvarez - Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer
Ana Maria Alvarez is a Cuban-American choreographer raised in the Southern and Northeastern United States, who began her dance training at the age of five. Her technical training began with Ballet until her teen years, when she became rooted in Dunham Technique, Afro-Cuban (Foklorico) and Afro-Haitian. She learned Salsa as a child and continued to develop her knowledge of the form through frequent trips to Cuba and dancing in New York and Miami. Alvarez studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts and has trained with the Urban Bush Women, Cutumba, Narcisco Medina, Dr. Elenor Gwynn, Katherine Dunham, Vic Marks and David Rousseve among others. After receiving a BA in Dance and Politics from Oberlin College, Alvarez moved to Brooklyn, NY where she became the Dance Specialist at The Center for Family Life’s “Lifelines” Community Arts Project. There she taught, danced and choreographed for several years before moving to Los Angeles in 2002. Alvarez received her MFA in Choreography from UCLA's Department of World Arts and Cultures, where she currently teaches during the summer. While in graduate school, Alvarez collaborated with teachers and researchers to create a dance program at UCLA Lab School, which became the foundation for CONTRA-TIEMPO's arts education program. CONTRA-TIEMPO is currently partnering with schools throughout Southern California, integrating dance into the educational curriculum. She continues to guest lecture and teach at local colleges and universities in California including El Camino College, Pepperdine, Cabrillo College and Cal State Los Angeles in addition to UCLA. Alvarez has received numerous awards and recognition from the arts world and beyond, including Brooklyn Arts Exchange's Artist in Progress Award, The Association of Performing Arts Presenters Emerging Leaders Institute, The LA City Council District 11, Durfee Foundation, Flourish Foundation, Puffin Foundation, Festival Internacional de Teatro de Los Angeles' (FITLA) and Instituto de Cultura de Puerto Rico, among others. She is a three time grant recipient from the Center for Creative Innovation, a four time grant recipient from the National Association for Latino Arts and Cultures, four time LA Department of Cultural Affairs Artist in Residence grantee and was recently awarded a grant from the NEA as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In the last few years, Alvarez has been commissioned by Jamie Nichols' Celebrate Dance, St. Joseph's Ballet and CounterPULSE's Performing Diaspora Festival. and is currently developing a new body of work exploring the politics of food and consumption called FULL.STILL.HUNGRY which will debut at the Ford Amphitheater in the Fall of 2011. This past year, Alvarez was invited to speak at the DanceUSA Annual Conference in Washington DC, about "fusion and the use of traditional movement forms in contemporary dance." Recognized as a "Rising star of the dance world" (Backstage NY), Alvarez is inspired to continue to develop and share her artistic vision with the world through CONTRA-TIEMPO's dynamic work.
• Cesar Alvarez - Founding Member/Composer
Cesar is a Brooklyn based composer, songwriter, producer and sound artist. He has performed and presented work nationally and internationally in the UK, Scotland, Cuba, Canada, France, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Czech Republic. César was awarded a Meet The Composer/Van Lier Fellowship for young Latino composers in 2004. He studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, received a B.M. from Oberlin Conservatory, and an MFA from Bard College in Music/Sound. In New York, César has presented work at The Stone, Roulette, The Tank, Joe's Pub, The Zipper Factory, Here Arts Center, and at Dance New Amsterdam. He's been performing and touring with his band The Lisps for over three years. The Lisps have been featured by NPR, Spin, Time Out New York, CMJ, and included as one of L Magazine's "8 NYC Bands to Watch," in 2008. In addition to composing for CONTRA-TIEMPO, César recently debuted his sci-fi Civil War musical for The Lisps, FUTURITY. He teaches recording and electronic music at Bloomfield College in NJ. César's blog/website can be found at www.musicisfreenow.org.
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• Bianca Blanco - Company Member/Teaching Artist
Bianca Blanco grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan where she discovered the love of dance at a young age in her first ballet class. She trained daily in ballet, jazz and modern dance. Her training continued at the Interlochen Arts Camp where it was solidified that there was no other path but to dance. Her first job was teaching dance as a young teen. After receiving a full scholarship to Western Michigan University she decided to pursue a BA in dance where she focused equally on ballet, jazz and modern dance and studied under and performed for such greats as Kathleen Hermsdorf, Donald McKayle and Derrick Evans. During her time at WMU she was also selected as a part of CRDT, a touring/performing/teaching ensemble, which traveled locally as well as internationally in Prague. It was also during this time that she was chosen to perform in many incredible works such as the legendary modern dance choreographer Paul Taylor's Three Epitaphs. In 2002 she felt the calling of her Latin roots, after so many years of classical training, and decided to move to Los Angeles to study salsa. She worked with many great salseros, toured nationally and won many salsa competitions. She has also continued her studies of partner dancing and is well versed in many valroom styles. Bianca has worked on many movies, commercials and television shows as a principal dancer including Along Came Polly, Luis, Dexter, Taco Bell and more. In addition to dancing another passion of Bianca's is community service. Bianca is truly humbled to be a member of CONTRA-TIEMPO, which is an outlet for the classical training, the "sabor" of her roots and her passion for community. In 2011, Bianca launched her own company, Bella Savour, and creates delectable vegan food in order to bring awareness and accessibility to the benefits of a vegan diet.
• Jasmine Burgos - Company Member/Teaching Artist/Community Class Coordinator
Jasmine was born in New York City and raised in Tampa, FL. At the age of 18, she discovered the world of dance. Jasmine enrolled in her first Ballet class at the University of South Florida. It was only 3 years later that she booked her first job as a dancer for Grammy nominated & Dove Award winning artist Nicole C. Mullens. After touring the world in 2004, Jasmine decided to pursue more opportunities in the entertainment capital, Los Angeles. In doing so, she has been blessed to dance and train amongst the best as a Debbie Reynolds Scholarship recipient. After her scholarship training, Jasmine has danced for various artists, including our of Eden, NLT, Mexican sensations Marylin Fernandez and Huiecho Dominguez. She is currently performing with Breed Dance Company, CONTRA-TIEMPO, Sassy Minxx and KPA Fusion Dance Company. While perfoming with these amazing companies, Jasmine has had the opportunity to teach all over the city, country and world, including Cuba. Jasmines ultimate goal is to provide the community with quality dance training and share various forms of artistic expression with young people. She is extremely honored to be a part of CONTRA-TIEMPO, their mission and commitment to the community.
• Michael Butler - Company Member/Teaching Artist/Community Partnerships and Marketing Manager
Michael is a native of Brooklyn, NY, where spent most of his life. He started dancing at the age of six with the New York-based Chosen One's Dance Company. At the age of sixteen, his family relocated to Charleston, SC, where he completed his secondary education. While in Charleston, S.C., Michael successfully produced numerous dance shows and founded a first place performance team. After high school, Michael continued his dancing career and enrolled at Shaw's Model and Talent Agency in Columbia, SC. While there, he studied hip-hop, tap, ballet, acting and modeling. Michael then attended Radford University in Virginia, where he studied Business Administration and Fine Arts. Michael combined his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for dance and founded A Step In Time Dance Studio, Inc., a place where young people would also come to study, relax, and develop personally. He was featured in the 2007 film Stomp the Yard. Business and professional opportunities brought Michael to Jacksonville, FL, a city he later discovered to be an ideal market to expand his studio ventures. After receiving an overwhelming interest from members of the local community, Michael opened A Step In Time Dance Studio, Inc in the Clay County area, where enrollment continues to grow. Michael currently lives in Hollywood, CA, where he continues to refine himself as an actor, model, and dancer. He is currently coaching with world-renowned rhythm champions, and he trains at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome”- Booker T. Washington
• Sarah Culberson - Guest Artist
Sarah Culberson grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia. As a young biracial woman, she always knew she was adopted. A year after her birth she was brought into the home of a loving white family from West Virginia and was raised in the United States –with no knowledge of the birth parents that had given her up. Eventually, Sarah grew curious about her past. When she found out that her white birth mother was dead, she later hired a private investigator to track down her biological father. She discovered her birth father was a descendant of African royalty. She won an acting scholarship to attend West Virginia University where she earned a B.A. in theater. She graduated from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco with a Masters in Fine Arts and joined the Los Angeles acting community. Sarah has acted on the stage as well as in TV and films. As co-founder of the Kposowa Foundation in Los Angeles, she leads fundraising efforts with the goal of improving the lives of people in Sierra Leone by rebuilding schools, digging wells, and connecting students internationally through educational projects. In collaboration with Tracy Trivas, Sarah recently completed an autobiographical memoir called A PRINCESS FOUND (St. Martin’s Press; July 07, 2009; $25.95) - A PRINCESS FOUND is a powerfully emotional memoir of an adopted woman who travels across the world to meet her long lost biological father who survived the brutal 11-year civil war in Sierra Leone. Sarah joined CONTRA-TIEMPO in 2006. She lives in Los Angeles, California. And while Sarah is not a company member full-time, she is always willing to step in for CT when needed.
• Cesar Garfiaz - Founding Company Member/Teaching Artist
Cesar was born and raised in Los Angeles , CA (Hollywood). He has been hyperactive since early childhood, and has always enjoyed moving. Being partly raised by his aunt, Cesar was influenced by her affinity for Salsa. He began dancing Salsa at the young age of seven, going on Sundays to Steven’s Steakhouse with his Tia Raquel. In high school, he was part of a performing arts class for two years, where he learned of his passion for performing. In 2004 Cesar joined UCLA’s Department of World Arts & Cultures in the Fall of 2004. In the Spring of 2003, Cesar began working and collaborating with Ana Maria Alvarez and was a cast member of her original thesis concert “contra-tiempo”. Over the past seven years he has studied various styles including modern, hip hop, house, tai chi, Ghanaian, Mexican Folklorico & Afro-Cuban. As a part of UCLA’s Repertory Tour Ensemble, Cesar performed and inspired young people in high schools all over Los Angeles. Through his work with Rep Tour, he became passionate about youth arts education, and is continuing this important work with his involvement in CONTRA-TIEMPO. He currently teaches Salsa and Latin Dance at Cal Poly Pamona and at several studios around Los Angeles. As a founding member of the company, he is committed to seeing this group actualize its’ full potential as an agent for change. Cesar is dedicated to being a leader in this important work and sharing with others his absolute love for movement.
• Richie Marin - Company Member/Teaching Artist/Touring Director
Born in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, but raised in Los Angeles, CA, Richie is a professional choreographer, dancer, actor and singer, and has toured nationally and internationally with both dance and theatre companies. Richie attended the Los Angeles City Theatre Academy where he studied acting extensively. He began his career as a dancer, choreographer and actor by performing in Theatre and Musical Theatre productions such as, West Side Story, Evita, Big River, Sophisticated Ladies, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Cabaret, to name a few. He has choreographed for the Fabulous Monsters Theatre group, Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs and the LA Weekly Awards. He was also a finalist in the Irene Ryan awards competition for acting. He has appeared in numerous commercials such as Pep Boys, MGD and Mexico Express. He was a former ballroom dance teacher at Arthur Murray dance center, teaching styles, such as, the Rumba, Salsa, Tango, Merengue, Fox-Trot, Waltz, Two-step, Cha-Cha, Swing, and the Samba. Richie is the founder and owner of Choreography Impressions, which is an entertainment company that specializes in Quinces, Sweet Sixteens, and Wedding choreography. He feels blessed to be a member of CONTRA-TIEMPO.
Marina Magalhães is a Brazilian-born dancer, choreographer and arts educator based in Los Angeles. Magalhães's work draws from her unique background in traditional Samba and Post-modern techniques to create dance theater that is both light-hearted and powerful, contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition. She is an emerging artist recently graduated from UCLA's Department of World Arts and Cultures, from which she received the prestigious 4-year International Moss Scholarship to be able to attend it. As the daughter of Brazilian diplomats, her training has been as international as her up-bringing, and includes Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Summer Intensive (2005), Urban Bush Women Summer Institute (2008), CONTRA-TIEMPO's Cuba Cultural Exchange (2008-09), and Rennie Harris's Illadelph Hip Hop Festival (2010). Magalhães is currently a member of the LA-based dance activist company, CONTRA-TIEMPO, nationally and internationally recognized for its unique Urban Latin Dance Theater work. As a performer, teaching artist and the current Rehearsal Director, she is also conducting a choreography residency in setting her latest work, "Talk Back: Crônicas of Power", on the company to be included in their touring repertoire. She is one of the seven Founding Artistic Directors of the LA-based multi-media dance theater collective, Soul Lab Dance Project.
• Omar Rodriguez-Diaz - Guest Artist
Omar studied at the Central High School of Visual Arts in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he was born and raised. In 2002 he earned his bachelor's degree from Pratt Art Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where he majored in film and animation. Omar performed with La Alianza, the Latino student organization of Pratt, and also performed in College of the Canyons in California, where he has been studying Flamenco for several years. Omar recently finished his master's degree in experimental animation at California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA (CalArts). His thesis, an animated short film about Salsa, was recently incorporated into CONTRA-TIEMPO’s performing repertoire. He took advantage of Cal Arts’ music and dance department by joining Korean, hip-hop and modern dance classes whenever possible. Omar sang for the school’s Salsa band for a year, utilizing his three years of voice lessons taken while at Pratt. He teaches art at Seeds University Elementary school and sings/performs with musicians whenever he can. Omar joined CONTRA-TIEMPO in January 2006.
• Ashlee Katrice Thomas - Company Member/Teaching Artist/ Co-Director of Summer Arts Academy
A native of Miami, Florida, Ashlee Katrice Thomas has been performing since the age of nine. She has trained in the areas of Dance, Musical Theater, and instrumental music. A graduate of the prestige New World School of the Arts, she continued her education at Florida State University as a Marketing Major, graduating in 2006. She has starred in various theatrical productions and national commercial ads, such as Verizon Wireless. She also served as choreographer for the Production of “For Colored Girls..” at Alexia Robinson’s Studio. In addition to performing Ashlee serves her community. She has worked as mentor with the character-building program, Middle Ground; a program designed to nurture success in alternative students in the Inglewood community. She currently volunteers as a Dance teacher for the Empowered Arts Conservatory and is the process of developing her production company: The Phoenix Studio. As Ashlee continues to grow artistically, she is creating the possibility of transforming the educational system by creating privately funded schools that specialize in Language, Science, Math, and undoubtedly, the Performing Arts.
• Jonathan Lowe- Chair/Board Member
Jon is a strategic marketing and promotions professional with over ten years experience in creating dynamic and innovative campaigns for sports teams, live events, music artists and consumer products. Approaching his 7th year with sports and live event leader, AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), Jonathan has created and executed marketing campaigns for its most prized assets in Los Angeles: STAPLES Center, The Los Angeles Kings and The Home Depot Center, (a $150M venue launched in 2003 that is home to the LA Galaxy). Two years ago, Jonathan shifted his role within AEG to focus on the Kings and currently serves as the Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions for the hockey club. Jonathan’s marketing campaigns and promotions have received regional and national recognition in media outlets including the LA Times, Daily News, Los Angeles Business Journal, Entertainment Tonight, E!News, ABC (Los Angeles), ESPN TV, FoxSports.com and SI.com. In addition, Jonathan has created marketing and promotions campaigns for The Los Angeles Lakers, Ten World Championship Boxing Events, Celine Dion’s Las Vegas Show A NEW DAY, The King Tut Exhibit at LACMA as well as national concert tours with Prince and Rod Stewart, just to name a few.
• Jimmy Roca- Board Member
Jimmy Roca is the founder of Roca Entertainment and created what is now the most powerful Latino hub-Roca Network. He is also owner of La Fonda on Wilshire. In 1993 Jimmy Roca began his career in the nightlife entertainment industry. Since then, Roca Entertainment has hosted events from Pasadena to Hollywood to Palm Springs to Las Vegas and all points in between. These productions have been hosted in the cities most presitgious venues, ranging in capacity from 200 to 2,000 people. In late 2008, Jimmy Roca took accepted the position of Marketing and Promotions Director for the newly remodeled Conga Room at L.A. Live, the premier enterainment center of Los Angeles which has already been dubbed " Times Square West." Roca Entertainment will continue to host the most sought after, decadent events throughout the city of Los Angeles. While Jimmy's partner, Walter Viteri, and Roca Entertainment's associates manage the primary responsible of the company, Jimmy continues to build and expand the reach and impact of Roca. Jimmy joined the CONTRA-TIEMPO board of directors in 2011.
• Michael Arlen- Board Member
Michael has a long and successfully track record of participation on industry-related and charitable organizations. In 1998 he was the Chair of the American Lung Association of Los Angeles, and later served in that organization’s State Board for the maximum 2-term limit of 8 continuous years. He was also the Chair of Breathe LA, and has been active in the governance and management of nonprofits throughout the US. In 1982, Mr. Arlen founded Arlen Advertising, a full-service, integrated marketing firm in Los Angeles. During his 18 years at the helm, he opened and participated in the management of joint ventures in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, and Mexico City. Arlen Advertising was sold in October of 1999. Mr. Arlen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology from U.C.L.A. and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School. He resides in Mar Vista, California with his wife, Phebe and three children, Robert (17), Emily (14) and Mary (11).
• Tanya Finks - Board Member
Tanya Finks grew up in Riverside, California and moved to the Los Angeles area in 1991. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1998 at California State University, Los Angeles, and spent two years as a volunteer paraprofessional mental health counselor at Pasadena Mental Health Center. For the past 13 years, Tanya has worked for the Capital Group Companies, currently as an Administrative Coordinator in the money management department. Additionally, as a Love Consultant with Love Boutique Home Parties, and as a Dating and Relationship Coach, she works with individual clients as well as groups, inspiring and supporting them to experience an abundance of love in their lives, and to enjoy passionate, fulfilling love lives. An avid consumer of personal development, her passion is providing the encouragement, support and inspiration for others to live their best lives today. Tanya is single, but has enjoyed a 32-year love affair with the Los Angeles Lakers.
• Jeff Dyll- Board Member
Jeff is a marketing and sales representative for Viamedia with 13 years experience in the marketing and entertainment field. Producing and creating television commericial campaigns for businesses in the Greater Los Angeles area has kept him busy for the last 2 years. Cadillac, Hyundai, Toyota are just a few of the clients Jeff has created marketing campaigns for. He was brought to Los Angeles 3 years ago to market and launch a radio station, 100.3 The Sound. While there he played an important part in a weekly Sunday night show that featured artist Ziggy Marley, Tim Robbins, Jon Larraquette & Taylor Hicks to name a few. Before moving to Los Angeles Jeff resided in New York City where he work for WXRK radio station. K-ROCK, as it was known, allowed Jeff to feed this radio background. While at WXRK he assisted in creating station events with artists Stone Temple Pilots, Counting Crows & TOOL. Before he found himself behind the scenes, Jeff was on-air personality in Phoenix, AZ for 2 radio stations hosting a nigthly music intensive program. He interviewed and hosted events with bands Sugar Ray, Dave Matthews Band, Fuel, Sublime & Blink 182 are just a few of the top acts he has worked with.
• Sophie Myrtil-McCourty • Pentacle/Danceworks, Inc. • 246 West 38th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018 • Tel: 212 278-8111 ext. 313 • Fax: 212 278-8555 • Email: sophiem@pentacle.org
“represents the kind of socially aware contemporary work that only a few dance artists such as Bill T. Jones reliably provide…in heart, mind and soul this is the real thing!” - Los Angeles Times
“an edgy examination of ‘the complexity of resistance and struggle for Latinos in the United States’ and a joyous celebration of community” - San Francisco Bay Guardian
“more than a hip isolating dance ensemble…CONTRA-TIEMPO pushes boundries” – The Washington Post
“Alvarez is a rising star of the dance world.” - Backstage, NYC
“…a fresh-faced, talented dance company from Los Angeles. Fantastic dancing abounds in this piece.” - nyctheatre.com
“A passionately delivered performance communicates the often antagonistic relationships that exist among Latino immigrants to America, as well as the nature of the greater struggles that they face in the new country.” - The Worldly, LA, CA
“Alvarez is a force to be reckoned with” - curtainup.com, NYC
“A joyous performance… comically explores the diversity of Salsa dancing, while also using the dance form to portray the thorny social and political issues facing Latinos in America today!” - BackStage, NYC
“an ensemble in which the women were as likely to lead as the men” – San Francisco Bay Guardian
“the new face of Los Angeles dance, the new voice as well…” – Los Angeles Times
“…un espectaculo que mas alla de ser solo danza expresa con sus movimientos la fuerza de la comunidad Latina en su lucha por vivir en un pais que no es el suyo.” - La Opinion, LA, CA
“a performance that goes beyond being just a dance, it expresses, with its movements, the strength of the Latino community in their struggle as they live in a country that is not their own.” - La Opinion LA, CA (translation)
“…a marvelously energetic and affecting work.” - BackStage, NYC
