SIDEWAYS finds a new home at Atlanta Dance Central!

Founded as a not-for-profit organization in 2006 by Charlotte Foster, SIDEWAYS was created to inspire change and present social and political opinions through dance.     Through performances across the southeast, SIDEWAYS repertory has received impressive feedback from dance choreographers: Ann Reinking (Fosse – the musical), Steve Rooks (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre), Wendy Perron (Dance Magazine), and Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance).

Knowbody, a new work by Foster performed at the 2007 Pulse convention, received impressive feedback from Mia Michaels, Brian Freidman, Shane Sparks, and Cris Judd.  These choreographers deemed Foster as “brilliant” and loved the simplicity of the performance.  Mia Michaels even went further to say that she was inspired to create a new piece after viewing the SIDEWAYS performance.  Foster is credited with creating a human atmosphere on stage and demanding honest performances from her dancers.  SIDEWAYS was founded on the belief that at the dawn of civilization, Dance & Life were inextricably linked.  We are here to continue that tradition.

SIDEWAYS has performed at the Inman Park Festival, Roswell Arts Festival, Five Points Open House, The Pulse convention, Jazz on Tap Festival, Roswell Celebration of Dance, Relay for Life Benefit Concert, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Gospel Fest 2008, and Modern Atlanta Dance Festival.  Future performances include their annual repertory concerts: Once Upon A Holiday - December 2009 & Pop! July 2010 in addition to guest performances at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and the Drop Dead Gorgeous Fashion Benefit.

In addition to their performances, SIDEWAYS reaches out to the community through their educational programs.  Everyone is an Artist is a lecture/demonstration that teaches students how to express themselves through dance.  With the Laban Movement Principles as a guide and through the example of SIDEWAYS repertory, students are able to create their own dances.  Emerging Artist serves as a mentoring program for young choreographers and provides these individuals with an opportunity to create a new piece on the SIDEWAYS dancers.    SIDEWAYS CARES is a new program designed to introduce dance to students in under-served populations.  SIDEWAYS has donated over 100 tickets for Once Upon A Holiday to schools, universities, and organizations in hopes of exposing new people to the art of dance.  Most recently, SIDEWAYS formed a partnership with the Foster-Schmidt Dance Academy for Down Syndrome.  SIDEWAYS company members  work directly with the participants to help strengthen their muscle coordination and build self-esteem.  The partnership leads to unlimited rewards for both participants and company members. 

    SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance Company is funded solely by its sponsors and would like to extend a big thank-you to their sponsors for the 2008-2009 season.  All contributions to SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance Company are tax-deductible.  If you are interested in becoming a SIDEWAYS Sponsor or need information regarding our tax-id number, please contact us. 

This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA also receives support from its partner agency, the National Endowment for the Arts.  Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council.