The Brand Associates Dance Series

GLENDALE, CA – The Brand Associates Dance Series presents four performances in May at Brand Library & Art Center, 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91201. This series, curated by acclaimed choreographer, teacher and producer Jamie Nichols, presents top dance companies from Southern California performing site-specific work in non-traditional performance spaces around Brand Library. The Dance Series is sponsored by the Brand Associates, the performances are free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Performances begin at 5:00 PM.

• Afro-Peruvian Dance Experience Co. – Saturday, May 10, 2025
• Volta Collective – Saturday, May 17, 2025
• No Easy Props – Saturday, May 31, 2025

Afro-Peruvian Experience Dance Co. reflects the cultural heritage of the African diaspora in Peru and showcases traditional musical instruments such as el cajón (drawer), la cajita (box) and la quijada (jaw). Director Nadia Calmet has more than 30 years of experience promoting the culture of Peru around the world. By integrating art from a holistic perspective, the dance company’s performances result in the cultural resistance and resilience of Peru’s African ancestors on stage. The performance at Brand, “Afro-Peruvian experience: Echoes of Resistance,” will be a cultural journey through the African diaspora in Peru, its music, theater, poetry and Afro-Peruvian dances such as: Panalivios, Zamacuecas and Festejos.

Volta Collective fuses physicality, theatricality and multidisciplinary approaches to performance. Directed by Mamie Green, Volta has performed and taught across the US, Europe, and the UK and is the recipient of grants from the German Consulate General, the US Embassy, smART grant, and more. Named in Fjord Review’s “Best of Dance 2023,” Volta has been commissioned and presented at the Laguna Art Museum, East Miami Hotel, Neutra House VDL, Loyola Marymount University, Hosek Contemporary, Museum of Neon Art, and Brooklyn Center Theatre Research, among others. The company will perform “Loneliness Triptych: Excerpt,” which explores contemporary isolation through three interconnected vignettes.

No Easy Props is a cultural arts organization made up of a team of 20 street dancers, graffiti artists, deejays, beat makers, rappers, who are all performance artists as well as arts educators. The group is committed to fortifying youth and creating community connection using the vehicle of Hip-Hop culture. They provide quality Hip-Hop cultural dance, art, and music education, enrichment, and opportunities for BIPOC youth and adults through engaging programs, workshops, performances, and cultural events throughout the communities of Los Angeles and Denver. No Easy Props will present “West Coast Funk & Soul Theatre Show,” created by Zulu Gremlin. A live multimedia street dance art experience, this is the story of west coast street and club dance, music, and culture.