Six choreographers. Fifteen dancers. One conversation.

That’s the basis for ‘A Moving Conversation’, an annual dance event centered on nurturing community through dance by connecting established and emerging choreographers with each other before performances at the Fremont Abbey. The audience, choreographers and dancers come together for a Q&A and conversation after the performances in a unique environment.

The event takes place over two days, Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th and features the works of choreographers Marlo Martin, Kenaniah Bystrom, Elana Jacobs, Christin Lusk, Elizabeth Mendana Shaw and Napthali Beyleveld.

Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets and range between $12-$15. They can also be purchased for $17 at the door.

Snacks, wine and beer will be available via the Abbey Cafe. Doors open at 7 p.m., the event begins at 8 p.m. For more information, check out the event page.

On February 25th & 26th, Fremont Abbey Arts Center will present ‘A Moving Conversation,’ its first annual movement arts event with an Audience/Artist exchange to follow each concert. Twelve of Seattle’s emerging and established choreographers will perform and join in the conversation.

The event was conceived and curated by Abbey Dance Curator, Karin Stevens. Stevens will moderate a ‘conversation’ between the choreographers at a pre-performance dinner and also at the post-performance choreographer and audience exchange that is open to the public. A Moving Conversation is part of the Abbey’s mission to be a vibrant community venue that provides a supportive space for artistic development and educational opportunities for the audience through creative events. Performances will take place in the Great Hall .

Stevens spoke with CityArts Magazine about the event, noting the intimate and rare opportunity for the performers and audience to interact:

“It’s an opportunity for the audience to be at the table as well,” Stevens commented. “But it’s not a lecture. We want it to be an exchange. We’re coming together so people can learn what goes into making a dance.”

The seasoned professionals and budding new artists who will participate in the event include: Marlo Martin, Andre Bouchard, Katy Hagelin, Victoria McConnell, Sarah Seder, Alex Martin, Freya Wormus, Keneniah Bystrom, Sarah Olds, Kristen Legg, Marissa Haga, and Markeith Wiley.

To purchase tickets to the event, visit Brown Paper Tickets. For more information, email dance AT fremontabbey dot org or visit www.fremontabbey.org.

Thank you to our sister site, My Wallingford, for posting this story, and taking us back to the days of the sock hop and dance-til-you-drop competitions:

Want to raise money to help kids improve their writing skills and get your groove on? Well, this is the benefit for you — Greenwood-based 826 Seattle celebrates its fifth anniversary on June 10 with Dance Your Cash Off, a five-hour dance marathon at Fremont’s own Nectar.

Longtime Wallingfordian and 826 Seattle Executive Director Teri Hein came up with the idea based on her fond recollections of 1980s 24-hour dance marathons called Give Peace a Dance. Her staff, whom she calls “an extremely fun-loving group,” boogied off to help make it happen.

Hein urges prospective dancers to form teams; hers is called the ICanTinaTurners (say it aloud). Each team needs to raise $150 per person to be eligible for prizes that the celebrity judges will award over the course of the night. Prizes include a two-week retreat to Wenatchee, a gift certificate to Olivar restaurant, and haircuts at Wallingford’s Spin’s Barber Shop.

A team can be just one person, but of course a dance marathon is more fun with more people. And a note to the dance-averse: You don’t even have to dance at this dance marathon (find more fascinating tidbits in the benefit FAQ). Hein urges teams to register so they’ll get fundraising tips before the big event.

If you just want to go to the event, support your dancing friends and hear some great music, tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Karin Stevens Dance    celebrates its second season in Seattle with a performance of six new works on March 19   and 20 at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center (4272 Fremont Ave N).  The company, which is also the resident dance company of the Fremont Abbey, presents two concerts  a year in the Abbey’s Great Hall.  Their March show features a collaboration with visual/sound artist Craig van de Bosch, electronic composer Dave Capaitis and fashion designer Beki Wilson, as well as live performances with cellist Emily Anne Peterson and three original new pieces from the Mack Grout Jazz Trio.  Tickets for the show are $7 to $15 and can be bought online here.  Show starts at 7:30 p.m.  Doors open at 7 p.m.