2008-2009 Curricular Theme - John Lennon: His Life and Musical Legacy
During the 2008-2009 season, thousands of New York City school children and their families learned about the life, music and legacy of John Lennon.
July 2008 - John Lennon's "Imagine" is the inspiration for a workshop with Terrence Mann
During the 2008 Irene Diamond Summer Institute, Actor/Director/Dancer Terrence Mann conducted a musical theater workshop centered around the John Lennon song, "Imagine," creating an original piece with the NDI dancers by melding American Sign Language with choreographic movement.
September 11, 2008 - "Let it Be" is premiered as part of the annual September Concert
On September 11, NDI dancers premiered a new work entitled "Let it Be," choreographed by Bianca Johnson, in Rockefeller Center Plaza, Midtown Manhattan. "Let it Be" was the theme song for this year's September Concert.
November 1, 2008 - NDI officially launches the John Lennon curricular theme at Symphony Space.
On November 1, NDI's Celebration Team Dancers officially launched our Lennon theme with a performance at Symphony Space. The program featured a preview of the 2009 Event of the Year, the piece“Imagine." Yoko Ono sent a poem (on right) to the dancers and audience that was read from the stage
December 2008/January 2009 - Dancers in NDI's 30 partner schools perform in Mid-Year Assemblies.
In December 2008 and January 2009, thousands of public school children, parents and teachers were introduced to NDI's curricular theme through annual Mid-Year Assemblies. The NDI dancers demonstrated to audiences the movement and music they've learned so far in their NDI classes, including choreography that will be part of their final End-of-Year Performances in May and June.
April 30, 2009 - NDI's Annual Gala Celebrates John Lennon.
Yoko Ono was NDI's 2009 Global Health and Hope Award Honoree, and Bernadette Peters was the Artistic Honoree at NDI's Annual Gala, Celebrating John Lennon, April 30th at the NOKIA Theatre Times Square. NDI Dancers previewed dances from the 2009 Event of the Year: A Celebration of John Lennon, including "Beatlemania." (see photo on right). Broadway star Terrence Mann served as Emcee.
May/June, 2009 - NDI Dancers in 30 Partner Schools Give End-of-Year Performances
Thousands of NYC Public School Children dance for parents and their school communities in End-of-Year Performances. These fully-realized theatrical events are the culmination of a year-long study of John Lennon.
June 20-22, 2009 - 32nd Event of the Year
Imagine: A Celebration of John Lennon
200 children of NDI’s Advanced Team performed for sold-out audiences in the 32nd Event of the Year, directed by Ellen Weinstein. The event wove together vignettes of John Lennon’s life with original, energetic choreography set to his masterful music. The young dancers were joined on stage by the legendary Cloris Leachman, and her song, saxophonist George Englund, Jr.
2009 Event of the Year: A CELEBRATION OF JOHN LENNON
NDI's Annual Gala
See photos from April 30th Benefit
Click here.
Broadway Star Terrence Mann conducts a workshop at the 2008 Irene Diamond Summer Institute
NDI Dancer Anjetta Rostock performs "Let it Be" at 2008 September Concert
NDI Musician Neal Kirkwood teaches John Lennon's music to children at PS 161 in the Bronx.
When you are feeling bad
Do one thing a day
To make your heart dance.
It could be a simple thing like looking up at the sky.
If you can’t manage even that
Do something for someone
To make their heart dance
It could be a simple thing like giving a call.
Do this for a couple of months and
Your life will change in a big way
One day we’ll all dance together.
Alright?
I Love You,
yoko