16 th Annual

"Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum"

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance celebrates diverse holiday traditions

Now - December 23 at the ByronTheatre of the Newman
Center for the Performing Arts

Granny's memories are her gifts to those she loves, but she has forgotten many of her stories and the magical dances of her lifetime. In her youth she danced for the African Harvest, the Native American Winter Solstice, the Celtic Yule Time, Las Posadas in Mexico, the ancient Hebrew Festival of Lights, the Chinese New Year, Junkanoo in the Caribbean, and in gospel celebrations of the birth of Christ. Now Granny seeks to retrieve these memories through dance, live music, and spoken word, as she relives her experiences of the world's diverse holiday celebrations.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents "Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum" Dec 1 - 23, 2007 weekends at the Byron Theatre of the University of Denver's Newman Center for the Performing Arts. Shows are Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, with two additional shows on Friday Dec 21 at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

Single tickets $38.00 (adults), $33.00 (students, and seniors 65+), $25.00 (children 12 and under) are on sale now. To charge by phone, call 303 871 7720 or 303 295 1759 x13. Purchase tickets in person at the Newman Center Box Office, 10 am-4pm M-F (SW corner of University & Iliff), or at the Ritchie Center Box Office, 10 am-6 pm M-F (2240 E. Buchtel Blvd). Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at 303-357-ARTS (2787), online at ticketmaster.com, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. For information, or to request accommodations for a disability, call 303-871-7720, Option 2. Groups of 10 or more, call 303-295-1759 x 13.

Cleo Parker Robinson, acclaimed artistic director, dancer and choreographer, has assembled a stellar cast and production team, showcasing her Ensemble, and some of Denver's finest professional actors and musicians, as well as students of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance School. This 16 th annual production of "Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum" introduces senior Ensemble member Marisa Mack as "Granny" and Chivas Merchant-Buckman as "The Junkanoo King". "Granny" veteran Vince Robinson and new cast member Ghandia Johnson join Cleo Parker Robinson appearing as the three "Angels of the Rainbow". New Ensemble member Laurel Richardson and Alumnus Ensemble member Ryan LeVeille appear as "Granny's" devoted grandchildren "Nakia" and "TiSean". Long time "Granny" musician Mark Caldwell returns for his second season as Musical Director, with an outstanding band comprised of some of Denver's finest jazz and gospel musicians. Ms. MarcelineFreeman, who danced the role of "Granny" for fourteen years, now serves as Artistic Advisor to Ms. Parker Robinson, and will reprise the new role of "Granny's Granny" for a second season.

Cleo Parker Robinson is thrilled to bring "Granny" back to the NewmanCenter. "We love the Newman Center' Parker Robinson stated, "and the intimate Byron Theatre makes everyone feel they are part of Granny's village." The Ensemble has performed major concerts at the Newman Center's Gates Concert Hall since 2005. Bringing "Granny" to the ByronTheatre for a second season is indicative of the dynamic relationship between Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and the University of Denver. The Ensemble will be returning to Gates Concert Hall for its Spring Concert in May 2008. Many corporate and civic entities are proud to be sponsors of "Granny". They include: The Denver Post, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado, El Pomar Foundation, Xcel Energy, Coors Brewing Company, The University of Denver, Denver Ballet Guild, Comcast, Wells Fargo, the Urban Spectrum, SmoothJazz 104.3 , and Qwest.

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) is now celebrating its 37 th year of serving the needs of the community. Founded in the belief that the language of dance transcends the boundaries of culture, class and age, this institution is committed to bringing dance into the lives of diverse people. CPRD is composed of a professional modern dance ensemble, year-round dance school, three-hundred seat theatre, in-school lecture demonstration series, international summer dance institute and outreach program for at-risk youth. CPRD is a 501 (c) (3) multi-cultural performing arts organization in Denver, Colorado.

Listing/Calendar Information

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents

"Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum"

Through dance, live music, and spoken word "Granny" relives the experiences of the world's diverse holiday celebrations.

Dec 1 - 23, 2007

Select Fridays 7:30 pm / Select Saturdays 2:00 pm / Saturdays 7:30 pm / Sundays 2:00 pm

Byron Theatre, Newman Center for the Performing Arts at University & Iliff

$38.00 Adults / $33.00 students, and seniors 65+ / $25 children (ages 3 through 12)

Tickets at 303-871-7720 or 303 295 1759 x13

Ticketmaster at 303-357-ARTS (2787) or order online at ticketmaster.com,

Groups Sales 303-295-1759 x 13