Avant-garde, contemporary dance meets Grammy Award-winning musicians in the VPAC’s Residency Series
Micaela Taylor’s All Star Band performs LIVE January 7-9
Beaver Creek, Colo., Dec. 9, 2020 — The Vilar Performing Arts Center adds a rare and poignant program to its Residency lineup. An innovative and timely artist ensemble will take stage this January 7, 8 and 9 in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Micaela Taylor’s All Star Band is sure to be a collaboration unlike anything experienced before. Avant-garde, contemporary dance meets Grammy Award-winning musicians. This performance will feature dance, choreography and music transcending genre and styles.
The VPAC’s winter Residency Series will premiere signature pandemic-time performances of unique collaborations between artists who can rehearse during the day at the facility in Beaver Creek – safely in the mountains and away from crowded cities. Each residency will culminate in a series of small, physically-distanced performances (and public health protocols will be strictly followed throughout the residency). A select number of premium tickets will be sold to the intimate performances. All tickets are available at the VPAC box office (970-845-8497; www.vilarpac.org). The VPAC is located under the ice rink in Beaver Creek Village (68 Avondale Lane, Beaver Creek, Colorado).
Micaela Taylor is making waves in the dance scene with her new movement style, called “Expand Practice,” which allows the artist to expand their mind, body and narrative. It encourages the freedom of expression through movement and facial expressions amplified within a group element by embracing the creation of bodies dancing together as one collective. During a poignant time characterized by divisiveness, Micaela’s choreography is one that strikes a chord to connect us all – reminding us of the importance of tolerance and cohesion in a world of social distancing.
Her work with the highly acclaimed musicians of her All Star Band will draw from music she naturally vibes with, including early 90’s R&B. Inspired by the staccato foundations of hip-hop, her style draws from a hybrid of musical genres rooted in clear classical lines forming a style uniquely her own.
Micaela was the recipient of the Inaugural Springboard EMERGE Choreographic Award and recently named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” 2019, and was on the cover of Dance Magazine in May 2020. She is trailblazing in the city of Los Angeles and beyond.
The All Star band members will include MonoNeon, DJ Logic, Daru Jones and Vernon Reid. MonoNeon (Dywane Thomas Jr.), is an American bassist, experimental musician and songwriter. He is known for his presence on YouTube playing bass guitar and for being one of the last people to work with Prince. It was his eclectic artistry on the bass that first caught Prince’s attention in 2014. Mono and Prince performed a number of concerts at Paisley Park, and also recorded and release the track, “RUFF ENUFF.” MonoNeon has also become known for his speech to music multitracking videos and compositions.
Daru Jones is one of the most respected drummers of his generation. He is a two-time Grammy Award-Winning musician for his work on Lazaretto (Jack White) and on Testimony (Gloria Gaynor). He has toured with an extensive list of musicians and has also appeared on The David Letterman Show, The Colbert Report and Saturday Night Live.
Vernon Reid, guitarist and composer, was the founder and primary songwriter of the rock band Living Colour. Reid was named No. 66 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
The theorem of turntablist as musician has been long proven by DJ Logic, who with jazz as his foundation has been an innovator by crossing genres and mixing his sound across the map. As one of the world’s most accomplished turntablist’s, DJ Logic is widely credited for introducing jazz into the hip-hop and jam band realms.
Get tickets and learn more at: www.vilarpac.org/dance