THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409280170
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Keith A. Dames, a Miami native who is organizing the Dance Theater of Chesapeake, is teaching his favorite subjects - gymnastics, jazz and modern dance, Mondays and Wednesdays at the Fine Arts Center.
A performing artist, choreographer and instructor of dance, drama and gymnastics, he is also teaching at the Virginia Beach-based Ocean Tumblers. He said he also hopes to find a teaching position with one of Hampton Roads' public school systems.
Dames graduated from Miami-Dade Community College North with an Associate Arts degree, having studied dance, theater and music. In New York City he studied and trained at the world-famous Alvin Ailey Dance Center and with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
He has performed with New View Dance Theatre in Miami and with Shirley Rushing Dance Inc., the New York City Dance Ensemble, Ekstasis Dance Co. and Citidance at the City College of New York where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.
In addition, Dames has performed in numerous theater productions including ``The Ritz,'' ``Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope,'' ``Dames at Sea'' and ``Life's Too Short To Cry.''
He has appeared in various films and videos shot in Miami and New York City and has sung with the City Gospel Choir of New York City and the Miami-Dade North Gospel Choir.
Dames said his dance expertise is in modern dance with an emphasis on gymnastics.
``I'm very big on the Horton Technique, named after dancer, choreographer and teacher Lester Horton,'' he said. ``It's very linear with a lot of parallel work and natural turn-outs.''
Dames joined the Chesapeake branch of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and is in the process of incorporating his company which became operative last month.
``I want to start with a troupe of 15 dancers,'' he said. ``I need male as well as female dancers who are proficient in ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance styles. Our emphasis will be on modern dance, like the Alvin Ailey Company.''
Why come to Hampton Roads after having studied and worked in Miami and New York City?
``Coming from New York, I like the slower pace here,'' he said. ``Plus, I see an untapped resource of good, natural dance talent in the area. I think there's excellent potential for artistic growth here.
``Eventually,'' Dames said, ``I would like to develop the Dance Theatre of Chesapeake into a touring company, performing in the Southern and Northeastern sections of the country.''
There is a good chance of finding some talent while teaching at the Fine Arts Center. MEMO: Staff writer Frank Roberts contributed to this article. The Fine Arts
Center is in Suffolk Towers, 181 North Main St. For information, call
539-6029.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Keith A. Dames is teaching at the Fine Arts Center in Suffolk and
organizing a dance group in Chesapeake.
by CNB