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Poor Man's Boogie

Velocity MainSpace Theater
Seattle, WA

Poor Mans Boogie is Daniel Wilkins sixth full-length premiere for his athletic and no-holds-barred company of eight dancers. Motivated by his personal experiences as an artist struggling with the harsh reality of continual financial instability, Wilkins newest project is as textually ambitious as previous works that fearlessly broached topics like teen literacy (Out of the Dust, 2006) and religious diversity around the globe (Religilistic, 2004). In order to make the biggest possible impact, DASS will take a radical approach to its presentation of Poor Mans Boogie as it strives to explore a very local issue.

In an effort to reach out to the Seattle community, DASSdance will host a gala opening night, with 60% of ticket sales to benefit Real Change. Real Change is a Seattle newspaper formed in 1994 to empower low-income individuals by giving them a hand up, not a hand out. In addition, DASS will present three additional nights of free performances, opening its doors to those who might not otherwise be able to afford to experience an evening of live dance. As a small, emerging company, DASS is pulling out the stops to offer something remarkablea chance to see artistically bold dance performance for free while hosting an event to raise funds for a local charity committed to ending poverty.

Befitting the event, Poor Mans Boogie is an exploration of the confinement of the lower class across the rural and urban landscapes of America. Hardship and struggle mingle with and motivate desperate schemes to climb the social ladder. Dependency and lack of social support are frictions exploding in outbursts of resentment and abuse. Wilkins treatment of poverty is unashamedly irreverent, showing a milieu of recognizable characters on the edge of extreme situations incurred from a relentless cycle of hunger, powerlessness, and violence.

DASS uses its multi-media approach to immerse its audience in this world, using music that has been the creative fruit of such struggles throughout American history, such as jazz, blues, and hip-hop. It also incorporates footage of the New York subway and rural homesteads of Eastern Washington, as well as the powerful spoken word poetry of Amy Mahoney to assist in telling this story.

Warning: Poor Mans Boogie contains adult language, mild adult content, and intense situations that may not be suitable for some children.

Note: Warning: Poor Mans Boogie contains adult language, mild adult content, and intense situations that may not be suitable for some children.

Kid Friendly: No

Dog Friendly: No

Non-Smoking: No

Wheelchair Accessible: No

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