Los Angeles based LA Dance Moves (LADM) announces the premiere of its Film/Documentary Back to the Heart June 25 -26, 2022 on Ballet Project.tv. Directed by Artistic Director Nancy Paradis, this innovative and personal film is the culmination of a close collaboration between LADM and award-winning filmmaker and composer Frederick Keeve. During the film, the dancers perform in-the-moment to Keeve’s movement inspiring improvisational piano music. The documentary includes the concept behind the work, the making of the film, special interviews, and special behind the scenes moments. Tickets are now on sale.
Paradis first conceived the idea for Back to the Heart seven years ago when she realized that the roots ran deep for her great love of music and how it was created. Her company presented a very special performance in honor of her father that was centered around and incorporated his music. Paradis’ father was a composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist of the Marine Corps Wind Ensemble and as a young girl, Paradis remembers her father’s powerful music filling their home. Paradis, who also played the flute, fondly recalls performing with her father during several summers as he conducted the musicians. During the film, one learns more in-depth information about this very personal and emotional experience.
LA Dance Moves – Michelle Lebowski, Hannah Barr, Frederick Keeve, Damara Titmus – Photo by Scott Edwards Photography
“I wanted to create a new genre in which dancer and composer are intertwined in each other lives, processes and performance.” – Nancy Paradis
Paradis began working on this project with her company in February of 2021 and by May had reached the decision to perform it in front of a live audience. This led her to contact and begin collaborating with composer and musician Keeve. Paradis remembers that “this is when I realized we were going to have to perform in the moment to his music because he mostly does Improvisational work.”
LA Dance Moves – Chasen Greenwood, Elise Filo, Frederick Keeve – Photo by Scott Edwards Photography
Keeve is very much part of the choreography in the first two movements of Back to the Heart. Muses dressed in all white inspire him to play his music for them and Keeve becomes involved in a love triangle while never leaving the piano.
Part two includes descriptions of the film by Paradis, her rehearsals with just the dancers and then with Keeve – who states that he has written and performed his music for film and accompanied dance classes, but that this will be his debut performing with dancers. The film documentary also features interviews with company members that reveal their very personal connections to music, dance, and working with their colleagues. At one point Paradis describes how she set out to create something that went beyond music and dance, and to discover a path to merge the two while still honoring each other’s world.
LA Dance Moves – Nancy Paradis with Frederick Keeve, Composer Damara Titmus – Photo by Scott Edwards Photography
This is a film/documentary that will delight and inspire not just dancers and musicians, but audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The music is inspiring and expertly performed, and the dancers are stunning. Other elements that will interest everyone include the concepts behind the composing and choreography and viewing the hard work required in rehearsals to make dancing appear easy. Back to the Heart is a rare look both behind the scenes work that goes into creating and presenting a performance as well as an internal experience as expressed by everyone involved.
LA Dance Moves – Group (L-R) – Back Michelle Lebowski, Damara Titmus, Elise Filo, Hannah Barr, Chasen Greenwood, Akem Harrison- Front Nancy Paradis, Frederick Keeve – Photo by Scott Edwards Photography
Paradis further states that “This Film is my life’s work: To heal and inspire the world through dance, music, art, and excellence.” Funds brought in by ticket sales go directly to helping LADM continue to create new works and to compensate the performers.
Film credits include:
Director/Producer: Nancy Paradis; Composer/Actor: Frederick Keeve
Dancers in order of appearance: Michelle Lebowski, Hannah Barr, Damara Titmus, Elise Filo, Chasen Greenwood, and Akem Harrison.
Special Bonus for local ticket holders
With a Ticket Purchase for the online, virtual film -which you can stream all weekend June 25th-26th on your own devises. AND: You will ALSO be invited to a special In-Theater Screening preview June 25th at 3:00 pm, In HOLLYWOOD. They will see the film, meet and greet the director and artists of LA Dance Moves.
To purchase tickets to Back to the Heart, please click HERE.
To learn more about LA Dance Moves, please visit their website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: LA Dance Moves – (L-R) Hannah Barr, Damara Titmus, Frederick Keeve, Michelle Lebowski – Photographer Scott Edwards Photography
