On Monday, October 14, 2019, Colleges of the Fenway Dance participated in the Fenway Alliance’s Opening Our Doors Festival. This interactive event is Boston’s largest free art festival with a mission to “open doors to the heart and soul of cultural Boston.” Activities took place in 18 locations throughout the Fenway Cultural District.
A beautiful fall day became the backdrop for the dancers as they performed on an outdoor stage in Evans Park. The audience was comprised of students, parents and Fenway neighbors. New work was premiered by student choreographers Roza Lay (MassArt), Melissa Mirza (Simmons University), and Abi Tringale (Emmanuel College), which included Cambodian, Contemporary, and Jazz Dance. These solo, duet, and small group dances explored themes of identity, community, and societal expectations. Performers included Madeleine Johnson, Madeline Kew, Hannah Denof, Jillian Fino and Josh Kalfus (Emmanuel College), Emily Marder and Kalei Porter (Simmons University), and Alice Rufo (MassArt.)
Student choreographer Melissa Mirza commented, “It was exciting to connect to the larger Boston community through the arts. I love seeing the different ways in which creative activities bring people together.” COF Dance looks forward to participating in the Opening Our Doors Festival next fall.