Kaatsbaan Cultural Park announces upcoming performances of Ayodele Casel in Freedom in Progress (V.2). Tickets are $25 for general admission and $15 with a student ID, available here. The performance on Friday, September 19 at 7PM will include a post-show artists talk led by fellow festival artist Kayla Farrish. The performance on September 20 is at 4PM. Freedom in Progress (V.2) is presented in partnership with Works + Process LaunchPAD.

Following last year’s critically acclaimed phenomenon Freedom…In Progress, tap dancer and choreographerAyodele Casel returns to the electrifying 1979 improvisation of jazz legends Max Roach and Cecil Taylor—meeting their fearless exchange with her own blend of rhythmic love, precision, and liberation. During her residency at Kaatsbaan, Casel has deepened this exploration, shaping it into a first draft of an evening-length work.

Casel is sought after as a “tap dancer and choreographer of extraordinary depth,” and a “force of wit and wonder” (New York Times). Known for her highly skilled and expansive improvisation, Casel’s projects include her concert and Bessie Award-winning film Chasing Magic, and her Drama Desk-nominated work as tap choreographer for the Broadway revival of Funny Girl.

Tivoli’s newest restaurant addition and immediate hot spot, Club Sandwich, is offering specially curated picnic options for folks spending Saturday, September 20 on our beautiful grounds in between extraordinary dance events. Order meals when you buy your tickets and have them delivered onsite! Menu options appear after entering your contact details in checkout. Order by 12 PM, Thursday, September 18. Three picnic options are $20 each and come with a pickle, bag o’ chips, and a Spindrift beverage. Vegan/Vegetarian/GF options available.

This project is made possible, in part, through funding from the County of Dutchess and Destination Dutchess (formerly Dutchess Tourism, Inc.) and administered by Arts Mid-Hudson.

About Kaatsbaan Cultural Park

The mission of Kaatsbaan Cultural Park is to provide an extraordinary environment for cultural innovation and excellence by providing artists at any stage of their careers with creative residencies at state-of-the-art facilities, and presenting audiences and communities with annual festivals, educational programs, and seasonal events. As both an incubator for creativity and presenter for world-class artists in dance, theater, music, film, spoken and written word, and culinary and visual arts, Kaatsbaan provides artists with state-of-the-art dance studios, accommodations, an indoor theater, and outdoor stages. Sited on 153 Hudson River-adjacent acres, Kaatsbaan is free of urban facilities’ space and time constraints, allowing for exciting levels of artistic exploration, creative action, and achievement—just two hours north of New York City.

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park is committed to the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts as we aim to present, promote, and embrace programming that accurately reflects our society. We encourage a broadly diverse group of individuals to participate in our programs and join our Board and Staff, and insist on being inclusive of all peoples regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socio-economic background, or physical or mental ability.

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