PHILLY FUR BALL 2017
The ladies of Project Moshen with Wayne Humphrey, Board President at Morris Animal Refuge
Project Moshen had the honor to perform at the Morris Animal Refuge’s annual “Philly Fur Ball,” for their 20th anniversary. This year’s gala, the 3rd year of performing for Project Moshen, was hosted at the Independence Seaport Museum, in Philadelphia, PA.
The Morris Animal Refuge is an open admission animal shelter dedicated to helping the homeless, abandoned and unwanted pets of the Philadelphia region. Founded in 1874, by Elizabeth Morris, the shelter was the first organization dedicated to sheltering and rehoming pets. The Morris Animal Refuge continues that legacy today by providing adoptions, a low-cost spay/neuter program, fostering, humane education and more. The “Philly Fur Ball” is the Morris Animal Refuge’s annual charity event, which celebrates the foundation, raising awareness, and supporting the animals.
Dancers (Left to Right): Alex Monte Carlo, Alexa Chambers, Kelli Moshen( Director), Sarah McWilliams, Katie Book, Colleen Dougherty.
Every year, the Fur Ball has a different theme, to excite returning guests. This year, The Philly Fur Ball theme was 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. The charity ball was filled with highlights, including: guest emcee Steve Morrison from 93.3 WMMR Radio, celebrity photographer Steve Ruiz, Miss Pennsylvania, Lucy Nolan from FOX 29, Entertainment by DJ Perry Angelozzi, and (of course) Project Moshen! The dance company showed off their inner jazzerinas, as they dressed up as mermaids and pirates. The ladies danced to an upbeat, EDM song by Tiesto, from the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack. After performing for the crowd, the dancers of Project Moshen spent the evening getting the guests out of their seats, and onto the dance floor, to dance the night away!
Project Moshen would like to thank Morris Animal Refuge for all their support over the years, and inviting them to participate in The Philly Fur Ball for an amazing cause! Be sure to catch the dancers of Project Moshen in “Waterfall” at the Performance Garage, on April 28th – 30th. Click here for tickets & show information.
Thats a Wrap! APAP 2017
Project Moshen, the Philadelphia based jazz dance company, had the honor to showcase at APAP 2017, at the Salvatore Capezio Peridance Theatre, in New York City. The Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) is the national service, advocacy and membership organization for presenters of the performing arts. APAP is dedicated to developing and supporting a robust performing arts industry and the professionals who work within it. The Friday before the APAP dance showcase, Project Moshen traveled from Philadelphia to New York City, in the snow no less. The dancers arrived in NYC for a late night of tech and dress rehearsal, and prepared to present “Home,” an except from their full performance titled “Coming Home.” Project Moshen’s “Coming Home” invites the audience on a journey to explore the physical and emotional bond soldiers have with the battlefield, and the disconnect that begins to grow with where their true home lies. Click here to watch “Coming Home.”
After spending Friday evening networking with other dance companies, including Philadelphia’s own Koresh Dance Company and SHARP Dance Company, the ladies of Project Moshen spent Saturday viewing other APAP performances, and supporting their fellow dancers. They also decided to get some extra training in, and took class with Chio at the prestigious Broadway Dance Center, in Manhattan.
Sunday, the dancers of Project Moshen were all business as they hit the stage during the afternoon, and the evening, to perform “Home” for the APAP audience. In the dance piece "Home," an excerpt from “Coming Home,” soldiers are back at war for another tour of duty where they feel they belong after leave to visit family. Project Moshen Artistic Director, Kelli Moshen, chose “Home” to be presented, because it showcased the strong, athletic, synchronicity of the ladies that make up Project Moshen Dance Company. "Home" also represents Moshen's refreshing, intricate, up-tempo, power-punching dance movement that bring audiences to the edge of their seat.
Sunday was a day to remember for the dancers of Project Moshen. The ladies met new dance companies from all over the country, performed in front of new audiences, along with meeting new dance artists. Project Moshen was excited to share their dance style to another part of the dance world, and had a thrilling time participating in APAP 2017.