Loose Leaves Loose Leaves

Loose Leaves: Dance

Loose Leaves

Salena Mable Stamp founded Loose Leaves in 2013 in order to provide a space for local choreographers to share their ideas with an audience.

Named for the ideas of leaves on a tree, loose leaf tea brewing ideas, and loose leaf paper where drafts are written, Loose Leaves has presented 8 showcases featuring around 50 choreographers in the past four years.

Creative Loafing listed the showcase as one of its top 10 things to do, and Lawrence Toppman from the Charlotte Observer wrote, “Think of Loose Leaves as the Tosco Music Party of Dance… Salena Mable Stamp pulls together a dance program of anything under the sun… But there’s a key difference. She doesn’t turn anybody down. Ever.”

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Artist: Chris Thompson and The Cultural Ensemble

BOOM Performance: Walasadon (dance of freedom)

Loose Leaves - Chris Thompson

Company: The Cultural Ensemble
Choreography: Chris Thompson
Performance: Krishana Wright, Cierra Nicole, Dijuane Covington, Zuri Young, LaToya Mushett
Drummer: Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson’s dance training and passion are in the disciplines of African, African-American, Modern, Jazz and Hip-Hop dance for over 30 years. To that end he has his own company Chris Thompson and the Cultural Ensemble which is dedicated to teaching American and West African culture by using dance, drumming and storytelling. He is an independent educator in conjunction with CMS After School Enrichment Programs, Churches, Schools, Summer camps, Community Centers and other grassroots efforts to teach young people. He creates unique programs for Black History Month, International Festivals or other special events. He provides entertainment for corporate events, galas and awards banquets. He teaches dance and drumming classes to adults and children. He choreographs musical theatre productions and professional entertainers. Above all he emphasizes the potential that is within all individuals to explore and share their creativity.

Artist: Lorraine Crittendon

BOOM Performance: “O Som do Brazil” (The Sound of Brazil)

Loose Leaves - Lorraine Crittendon

Choreography and Performance: Lorraine Crittendon
Music: Jesse Eisenberg, Grupo Revelação, Sambatuque Brasil, Ferrugem

A. Lorraine Crittendon is originally from Indianapolis, IN but has been in Charlotte, NC since 2008. LCritt graduated from UNC Charlotte with her B.A. in Dance and currently teaches middle and high school dance at a local charter school. LCritt has been training in the Brazilian dance forms for two years and specializes in the style of Samba No Pé. This style is closely associated with the carnaval of Rio de Geneiro. LCritt is classically trained but has been focusing her energy and technique on the fast paced, quick stepping style of Samba. LCritt owns her own dance company, CRITTque Cultural Collective, that encompasses her many dance techniques.

Artist: Catherine Riddell

BOOM Performance: Woodland Fairy Waltz

Loose Leaves - Catherine Riddell

Choreography and Performance: Catherine Riddell
Music: James Newton Howard

Catherine Riddell is a freelance ballet dancer experimenting with the world of choreography. She started pointework a year after her first ballet lesson as a sophomore in high school. During her university years, she performed with CPCC Dance Theatre under Kathryn Horne, dancing featured and ensemble roles in Rouge Time, Les Patineurs, and Snow. She attended summer intensives with American Ballet Theatre Collegiate (NYC) and South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory, performing repertoire from Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, and various contemporary works. Post-graduation, Catherine has presented her original choreography at Loose Leaves CLT, and still continues to train in her chosen art form. The past two years, she attended Gelsey Kirkland Academy’s Repertory Intensives, studying and performing leading roles from Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Recently, Catherine danced with Charlotte Youth Ballet as a Community Artist for the 2018 – 2019 season, appearing in the Nutcracker, Cinderella, and various community outreach performances.

Catherine Riddell on Instagram »

Showing at: Intersection
Show Time:
Friday, 9:15 – 9:35 pm
Admission is FREE