(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)January 3, 2006

(Mahwah) – Dance at the Berrie Center presents The Monk Project, a contemporary multi-media dance performance that celebrates the genius of be-bop pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m. in the Sharp Theater on the campus of Ramapo College of New Jersey.

The Monk Project is a soundscape of urban contemporary musical genres ranging from be-bop and funk to house and hip-hop.  Dance styles of stomping, jacking, popping and locking are set against a backdrop of video footage from the documentary film on Thelonious Monk, Straight No Chaser.

As a composer, Monk created a new architecture for his music, one in which harmony and rhythm melded seamlessly with the melody.  He is widely accepted as a master of American music.  His compositions constitute the core of jazz repertory and are performed by artists from many genres.  The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz was created to promote jazz education and to train new generations of musicians.

Shannon Mabra, who is affiliated with The House Dance Project, will choreograph the performance.  Marshall Swiney, director of the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center in New York City, will serve as artistic director.

Tickets for The Monk Project” are $10.  The Sharp Theater is located at the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts on the Ramapo College campus.  For more information call 201.684.7844.  This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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