Arepa Coalition Project

Arepa Coalition Project is an interactive and theatrical-choreographic performance that combines dance, culinary culture, storytelling, music and theater. Arepas are a typical food popular in Venezuela and Colombia. With a rich traditional history, arepas are known to be deeply ingrained in the culinary cultures of both countries, each claiming to be the birthplace of this cherished food enjoyed today by all social classes. the making of a Colombian and Venezuelan staple that seeks to highlight a shared story of culture between two Latin Diasporas in New York City. The event ended with the cast and audience members enjoying arepas, and socializing. The arepa takes center stage, the piece weaves dance with contemporary tunes and non-linear theatrical vignettes to tell stories revolving around the preparation of the arepa and exploring at the same time, experiences of life, work, and love from Venezuelan and Colombian communities. Scenes are vignettes reflecting the life and every day dynamics in a big Hacienda (big farm in Venezuela).

Creative Team:

Choreography: Julieta Valero /Texts: Lupe Gherenbeck /

Concept, Artistic Direction and General Producer: Elliott Ortiz

Cast Members:

Nataly Barco, Laura Bolivar, Laura Petti, Alessia Secli, Johnathan Colafrancesco, Cynthia Cortes, Julieta Valero

and Leigh Atwell.

Crew Members:

Costume Curator: Mariela Monroy / MUA & Hair / Costumes: Percy Van Oordt / Stage Manager: Jorge Tagliaferro / Sound Designer: Oswaldo Ortiz / Sound Tech: Kim Sanchez / Lights / Set: John McGee / Arepas Cortesy: Caracas Arepa Bar & Maribel Araujo

Production Team:

Cast Director: Angelica Guvernez / Director Assistant: Luis Viñoles / Press Coordinator: Hernan Colmenares / Social Media Manager: Michelle Acevedo / Set Construction: Miguel Rivera & John McGee / Artistic Images/ Designer: Omar Montilla / Photographers: John McGee, Frances Velasquez, Jonny Rueda, Andreina Mujica / Production Manager: Pilar Cordova

Spanish Harlem Dance Fest

It is a dance festival that celebrates and examines the influence of Latinos in America as a place of immigration and mixed cultures; while seeking to showcase dance artists who explore a range of narratives of Latino culture and/or current issues: immigration, forced displacement, identity, and transculturation. Devoted to the multicultural nature of New York City, the festival boldly responds to the blurring of cultures from different diasporas. Featuring dance artists with hybrid choreographic practices (combining dance movements with other forms/styles, including physical-theater, mime, video or incorporating performative methods on stage). Dance10 Project, also, intends to provide opportunities for positive exposure and career advancement in dance making to underrepresented, emerging artists, especially Latinos, dance artists of color and LGBTQ members. The Fest wants to expand the creative force around contemporary dance by increasing the audience's knowledge; bringing cultural enrichment to those communities through dance-theatrical performances and set a platform for dance in East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio; which is one of the largest predominantly Hispanic communities in NYC. Also, the festival is a way of showing that dance as a social activity can entertain, educate, and connect communities, and dance as diplomacy tool can bring people together and combating racial stereotypes.

We want to make a difference and make it palpable !!

​The Fest will host two components:

​The Fest: Live dance performances on stage that tell stories about immigration and cultures. The work of immigrant dance artists can help immigrant audiences connect with their identities and restore pride in their communities.

​Choreographers Talk: Post show conversations will bring to audience members an open conversations with dance creators and their experiences, their inspirations, their process; and it would be moderated by local personalities. Post-show conversations between dance creators and audience, conducted by special guests: hosted by: Rhina Valentin, Alexandra Geithner and Angelica Guvernez.

The festival is headed by:

Artistic Director & Choreographer Elliott Ortiz.

Co-producers: Pilar Cordoba and John McGee, who be associate curators too.

Choreographer Participants / Performances : Sep. 15 - 18 /2022

Julieta Valero, Ma. Gracia Perez, Stephanie Pena, Arianna Aquino, Chien-Ying Wang,

Yvanhova Figueroa and Leonel Linares.

Exhibition Dancing Strokes / Curated by Gustavo Fernandez

Sep. 7 -18 (Gallery GF El Barrio's Artspace)

Workshops : Sep 14 & 16 (dance studio Artspace)