CONGRESS ANNOUNCES VOLUME V
AUGUST 23-25 AT THE SWEATSPOT
Los Angeles’ premiere dance collective, Congress is announcing Volume V taking place Friday August 23, Saturday August 24 and Sun August 25th at the Sweatspot in Echo Park.
(Congress Volume IV cr: Jake Lanza)
Created by world-renown artists Denna Thomsen and Zak Ryan Schlegel in association with MAAVVEN, Congress is a salon-style collective serving as a platform for cross-genre artists to share their work in an environment that evokes powerful thoughts and discussion, with the overall intention of strengthening the dance community as a whole. The bi-monthly series is done in the round, creating an intimate experience between the performers and the audience. Due to the nature of the show, space is limited and demand is high.
View highlights from Congress Volume IV HERE
(Congress Volume IV cr: Jake Lanza)
Congress has been the home to some of the most exciting art being created by artists from around the world. The work that is showcased crosses race, gender, and cultural lines. The environment at Congress is an equal playing field. There is no seniority, no meritocracy, whether you are an award-winning accomplished choreographer or are just starting out everyone gets equal billing, equal time and the most importantly everyone gets paid, exactly the same. The act of paying the artists in a huge part of what sets Congress apart in an entertainment town built on the backs of having artists work for free in exchange for exposure. The series has been incredibly well-received with shows selling out far in advance and attendees that include some of the world most well-known music and visual artists who are come to seek inspiration. Congress is better experienced than described. So please join us!
CONGRESS VOLUME V
Friday Saturday and Sunday, August 23-25. Doors at 7, performance starts at 8.
Sweatspot in Echo Park
3327 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026
https://legalize.dance/buycongress
https://www.instagram.com/legalizedance
MEDIA RSVP: rsvp@sideways-media.com
(Congress Volume IV cr: Jake Lanza)
FEATURED ARTISTS
Rebecah Goldstone (IG)
Slauson Rec (IG)
Boy Boi (IG)
Jen Rose (IG)
Kat Burns (IG)
Tucker Barkely (IG)
Mayte Valdes + Carlos Barrionuevo (WEB)
Sam McReynolds (IG)
ABOUT DENNA THOMSEN
Denna Thomsen is a maverick performer, choreographer, and artist who has made a significant impact with how dance is used in the entertainment industry. From AXIOM Dance Theatre to SIA’s Australia Tour, Denna’s choreography has paved the way in creating a unique vocabulary of movement that is known for evoking emotion and questioning the status quo. Denna recently choreographed the widely popular Apple holiday commercial “Sway”. Her choreography also includes commercials for KFC, Sonos Speakers, Jockey, and Google. Choreography Reel HERE
ABOUT ZAK RYAN SCHLEGEL
Zak Ryan Schlegel is an internationally recognized dance artist, teacher and choreographer. He creates original works independently, as artistic director of LA-based AXIOM Dance Theatre with partner Denna Thomsen and is company member and soloist of Shen Wei Dance Arts in New York City. He is currently performing with Spellbound Contemporary Ballet in Italy and across Europe, his choreography has been featured from Walt Disney Concert Hall to The Juilliard School, he teaches at The Joffrey School and Youth America Grand Prix has named him outstanding choreographer. Zak holds a BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University and New York Times calls him “a star”. Zak asks questions as answers. https://www.instagram.com/zakryanschlegel
MAAVVEN
A Los Angeles based agency representing a roster in visual artists who are shaping what culture looks like today and tomorrow. The talent on the roster has directed culture shifting movies, TV shows, music videos and have designed fashion shows and experiences for some of the most prestigious brands in the world. The projects and clients with whom they have worked with include Rihanna, Coldplay, Miguel, Dua Lipa, Pharrell, Alicia Keys, Grimes, Aluna George, Banks, Kanye West, SIA, David Bowie, and St. Vincent, events and installations for Apple Music, Stella McCartney, ANA Japan, Conde Nast, Vogue, Art Basel, Gentle Monster and they have overseen the creative direction for brands such as SAVAGExFENTY. View their work HERE.