How Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre Pushes the Boundaries of Dance

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre dancers rehearsing for their upcoming performance, Interactions © Shoccara Marcus

One Atlanta-based ballet company is bringing together art and science during its upcoming spring /summer performances.

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre is working on two pieces that explore the intersection of movement and mental health in a way that keeps its audiences engaged and entertained. One is a socially distanced outdoor performance, and the other is a cinematic experience. But first, a little backstory.

Founded by five principal dance artists, Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre is an Atlanta-based ballet company that combines classical and contemporary dance forms. What does this mean? It means some of the best professional dancers come together to create works that are rooted in classical ballet but aren’t limited by it. Their performances are infused with modern aspects of dance across its choreography, music, costumes, performance venues, and collaborations.

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre dancers in their Atlanta studio © Shoccara Marcus

And in the case of Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s two upcoming pieces, it’s the collaborations that make them so unique.

Let’s take The Poet, the company’s new dance film. That’s right – it is a performance made explicitly for the camera, and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre has collaborated with director and cinematographer Joseph Guay to create a big-screen-worthy experience. The film also has an original score by Andy Kurtz and features the poetry of Kahlil Gibran.

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre’s upcoming dance film, The Poet © TMBT

Tara Lee, the creator and choreographer of The Poet © TMBT

The Poet tells the story of an 80-year-old man with Dementia, where choreographer Tara Lee delves into the difference between reality and imagination through movement. "My interest for this piece is to find the beauty that potentially remains in one's mind amidst the fundamental losses that come with dementia," says Lee. “Despite the fading of memory, can someone still find themselves through art and remember what is most emotionally life-affirming?” 

The Poet will be available for purchase starting June 11, and audiences will be able to watch the film on-demand any time, as many times as they’d like.

And expect to see more dance films from Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre in the future. “Film opens up a whole new world of opportunity for dance as an artistic expression,” says John Welker, Director of Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. “It’s a lesson we learned during Covid, and it’ll be part of our ongoing content we create.”

Another performance where Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre explores mental health through movement via collaborations is Interactions | Boundaries of Identity & A.I. Through a partnership with leading neuroscientists from Georgia Tech and Emory University, Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre explores the role of artificial intelligence inside the human body.

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre dancers preparing for Interactions © Shoccara Marcus

In other words, Interactions sheds light on the idea of the human cyborg. Specifically, it focuses on the ethics around using neurotechnology to treat mental illness. The technological change is outpacing the ethical conversation around this subject, and this performance helps the audience navigate the line between technology and humanity as parts of their identity.

If you think about it, movement – and dance, in particular – is the perfect way to explore the role of A.I. inside the brain. “The ability of the human body not just to move, but to express through movement emotions and feelings is very much a mystery,” says Welker. “With neurological disorders that medications fail to treat, movement can bring some of the issues to light in a way that is evocative and thoughtful,” he adds.

Interactions is part of the Georgia Tech Arts Skyline Series, so it’s an outdoor performance that takes place on the Georgia Tech campus. Tickets for the May 18 performance are on sale now, and the seating is sectioned off into two or four-person socially distanced pods.

Following the Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre program, choreographer Troy Shumacher and some of the neuroscientists will hold a panel discussion to give insights into the research and collaboration behind Interactions. The May 18 show is the first part of a three-part performance, so be on the lookout for part two and three throughout late 2021 and early 2022.

Personally, I hope you get a chance to partake in both the live performance and the digital film. This way, you’ll get to know Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre across multiple mediums, which truly showcases the company’s extraordinary ability to mix storytelling with dance. Be sure to check out their website for more details about all their offerings.

Anna Lanfreschi is a digital content creator and strategist based in Atlanta. She posts about food and travel on her blog, AnnaFeasts, and on Instagram @AnnaFeasts.

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IMAGINE MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL LINEUP FOR 2021 EVENT

After a challenging 2020 that derailed festivals globally, the world is finally ready to dance again. Imagine Festival organizers are excited for the festival's comeback September 17 - 19, 2021, and today are releasing the official 2021 lineup. Tickets go on sale March 23rd at 1.00 pm EST. Earlier this year, the festival also revealed the big news that it would be moving locations to the breathtaking Bouckaert Farm in the City of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. This new chapter for Imagine allows endless potential for a more immersive experience. Guests will now feel the embrace of Mother Nature while bathing in the forest and enjoying the magic of Imagine Festival.

Loaded with massive B2B sets and record label takeovers, the lineup for 2021 includes Excision; Illenium; Kaskade; Gryffin; Madeon; 3LAU; Adventure Club B2B Riot Ten; Black Tiger Sex Machine, Blunts & Blondes, Carnage B2B Borgore; CharlestheFirst; Clozee; Dabin; Dion Timmer; Ghost Rydr (Ghastly B2B Joyryde); Kasbo; Kayzo B2B Subtronics; Liquid Stranger; Peekaboo; Subtronics (“Wooked on Tronics” set); Shpongle Droid (Simon Posford Live, featuring Android Jones); Virtual Riot B2B Barely Alive. The Disco Inferno stage will feature Fisher with the Catch & Release Takeover and including Lee Foss; Malaa; Shiba San; Walker & Royce; John Summit; Noizu; Sidepiece; SNBRN; VNSSA; Dillon Nathaniel; Deeper Purpose; LP Giobbi; Subrinse, and Westend. The Wakaan Takeover will feature Liquid Stranger; Champagne Drip B2B Luzcid; Shlump; G-Rex; Esseks; Sully; Mize, and a Wakaan Family B2B set. Other artists joining the Imagine lineup: Abelation; Alber-K; Blackgummy; Brondo; Corrupt UK; Devault; Dieselboy; Eddie Gold; Joyce Muniz; Kaivon; Laser Assassins; Leah Culver; Lick, Mersiv; Moore Kismet; No Mana; Of the Trees, and Reaper. Local and regional support, along with much more detail of activities and surprises, will be released along our journey to the gates opening to Imagine. Stay tuned.

Also returning in 2021 is an even bigger Imagine Festival Daytime Pool Party where Kaskade will heat up the decks for fans as part of his second set of the festival.

“The diversity and special B2Bs make this one of the most exciting lineups to date. We are putting together an experience we hope will help relieve some of the pain we have felt over this past year- nature is now our ultimate special guest. I get chills thinking about the moments we will share again,” says Imagine Festival co-founder, Glenn Goodhand.

3-day General Admission passes are available starting at on $35 down. GA passes start at $269 and VIP passes with express entry into the festival, commemorative VIP wristband, exclusive viewing areas, VIP bars, and lounges, and private air-conditioned VIP trailer restrooms start at $399 for a 3-day pass, before fees. 2-pack bundles and camping options are also available. Payment plans are now available all tickets types. Tickets are available online at www.imaginefestival.com. Imagine Music Festival is an 18 and over event.

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How to Celebrate International Women’s Day

Celebrate International Women’s Day with homemade crepes © Anna Lanfreschi

The best way to celebrate International Women’s Day is to spoil your favorite lady with a decadent brunch spread. We’re talking homemade crepes served with all the toppings, as well as mimosas with fresh squeezed orange juice and fresh cut flowers.

International Women’s Day – March 8 – falls on a Monday this year, but that’s no excuse not to pull out all the stops for your best friend, mom, sister, partner, etc. And if your schedule doesn’t allow for an extensive morning celebration, you could always have brunch for dinner – it’s a holiday after all!

As a good friend of mine told me, International “Women’s Day should be celebrated by everyone, including and especially men.” So here’s your step-by-step plan for how to pull this off.

Step 1: Pick up some fresh flowers

Neighborhood farmers markets are a great source for beautiful bouquets – they’re well-priced and you’re helping to support your local farms with your purchase. But Trader Joe’s also has a great flower selection, if that’s more convenient for you.

You could choose any color scheme you’d like, but if you’re a history/tradition buff, you’ll go for the mimosa flower – the flowers that’s been gifted on International Women’s Day since 1946. If you can’t find mimosa flowers, try to pick up something yellow. Along with pale-yellow crepes and bright yellow/orange mimosa cocktails, yellow flowers will help create a vibrant color palette.

Get creative with the presentation of your homemade crepes © Anna Lanfreschi

Step 2: Make crepes and drinks

Crepes are easier to make than you think! There are tons of recipes online, like this one or this one, and there are a couple of tricks to keep in mind:

-Make sure your batter is pretty runny – that’s what helps make crepes thin

-Don’t overcook your crepes – cook each side for just a few minutes on medium-low heat

Serve your crepes with fresh sliced berries. Strawberries work really well, but any berries will make for a delicious filling – blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc. Nutella is a must for sweet crepes, but you could also use your favorite jams, jellies, or dark chocolate squares.

For your mimosa cocktails, squeeze the juice of 4-5 fresh oranges to add to your champagne. Fresh-squeezed OJ makes such a difference!

Candle from Eating With Erica, Flowers from 3 Porch Farms © Anna Lanfreschi

Step 3: Set the scene

Get creative with plating your crepes. It’s easy to leave them unfolded on a round plate, but I chose to fold them in half twice and serve them on a wooden board.

In addition to your crepes and drinks, add the flowers arranged in a vase, and light a beautiful candle. I used the Mimosa & Mandarin candle from Eating With Erica, an Atlanta-based food blogger. Her candles are incredible! They smell great, burn really clean, and last a long time.

And there you have it: Your indulgent celebratory brunch is ready! Easier than you thought, right? Let me know how this goes for you – send me a DM on Instagram. Regardless of how you celebrate International Women’s Day, I hope you simply take the time to celebrate the ladies in your life this year.

Anna Lanfreschi is a digital content creator and strategist based in Atlanta. She posts about food and travel on her blog, AnnaFeasts, and on Instagram @AnnaFeasts. 

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