On Thursday, March 12, 2015, two of the most unlikely partners will take to the Kleinhans Music Hall stage. On that day, professional breakdancer and musical/visual artist Shane Depree Fry of Verve Dance Studio will be teaming up with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) to celebrate the arts through self expression as part of a West Side Connection program.
Since 2005, Verve Dance Studio has been a beacon of light throughout the city, offering B-Boy classes to those who would not otherwise have access to a professional urban break dance studio.
“Verve started out of a desire for people to have a place to come together and have fun expressing themselves,” says Fry. “I am honored to be part of the West Side Connection program, and I hope it inspires the students to find their own voices as artists.”
For half a decade, the BPO’s West Side Connection outreach program has been in place to ensure that there is a healthy connection between the music institution and the neighborhood that it inhabits. The program ensures that educational activities and curriculum are provided for students at a dozen Buffalo public schools.
By teaming together to offer a b-boy infused concert, the BPO and Verve are aiming to prove that there can be a solid bond between completely different art factions. “The BPO is very pleased to be working with Shane Depree Fry and Verve Dance Studio this year as part of our West Side Connection,” says Robin Parkinson, BPO education director. “Each year we look for dynamic local and national artists to collaborate with on this unique program and Shane’s work with young people and his creative spirit were a perfect fit.”
During the concert, Fry will demonstrate his signature b-boy moves, while sampling music from Samba Suds by Sidney Torch and Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones. A drum machine will add to the flavor of the BPO’s rendition of the orchestral pieces. The artists will be joined by 15-year-old cellist Sterling Elliott, who, among all others, acts as inspiration for young black and Latino musicians.
To add to the excitement, 2000 public school students will be in attendance the day of the show. For those students who can’t attend the show, there will be free access to BPO Broadcast On Demand service for all Greater Buffalo schools.
Hip Hop instrumentals interspersed with orchestral pieces…
Thursday, March 12, 2015 @ 10:15 am