JANUARY 2016 — If you want to experience an authentic celebration of Greek culture, or have an interest in the art of dance and how it has shaped cultures around the world, you won’t want to miss this special performance by the Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey.
Presented by Middlesex County Office of Culture and Heritage, the performance takes audiences on an exciting journey through the diverse regions of Greece including Thrace, Macedonia, Asia Minor and the many Greek islands. In a rare event, the Hellenic Dancers will also present a “fashion show” detailing the history and background of their authentic regional folk-wardrobe.
This FREE performance will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, January 29th, and will be held at the Crossroads Theatre, located at 7 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ. Use of the Crossroads Theatre facility was made possible through the generosity of Johnson & Johnson and the New Brunswick Cultural Center Inc.
The Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, founded in 1972, are a group of young adults who are
first-, second- or third-generation Greek Americans, dedicated to keeping their heritage alive through performances of Greek regional folk dances.
first-, second- or third-generation Greek Americans, dedicated to keeping their heritage alive through performances of Greek regional folk dances.
This performance is a rare opportunity to experience a number of traditional folk dances, as many of them are seldom seen outside of the region or community in which they originated in Greece. The dancers, wearing authentic regional folk attire, will offer a window into the customs of each area.
“The Middlesex County Office of Culture and Heritage really makes an effort to include all kinds of art forms in their programming, and they make sure that a variety of different cultures are represented,” said Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “This kind of diversity is so important to the spirit of Middlesex County.”
“This looks to be another fine program from Culture and Heritage,” said Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, chair of the County’s Business Development and Education Committee. “The arts have always been a major part of county life, and this is a great way to kick off another year-long celebration of culture for 2016.”
Admission to this program is free, but registration is required. To register, please call 732.745.4489. Persons with hearing disabilities may dial 732.745.3888 (TTY users only) or 711, the New Jersey Relay System. In case of inclement weather, call 732.296.8966
Crossroads Theatre is an accessible site. An Assistive Listening System will be in use during the program. An American Sign Language Interpreter can be provided with a two-week advance request. This program is funded in part by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Folklife Program for New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
