Premier
Live from Jerusalem! “Premier” Dance Performance and Insights with Artists Elad Schechter and Rand Taha
Special Event | April 6 | 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Law Building
Sponsor: Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies
RSVP Here: https://berkeley.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z9ecZEJyQjeM7n3zb0LqdQ
“Premier” is a solo dance choreographed by Elad Schechter, founder and principal choreographer of CATAMON, for Rand Zeid Taha, a Jerusalem born Palestinian dancer. This interreligious and intercultural dialogue through dance negotiates the sociopolitical tensions and rifts evoked by east/west Jerusalem through the expressive forms of dance and movement.
In partnership with c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group in Jerusalem, Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative, UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, and the Swig Program in Jewish Studies and Social Justice.
Elad Schechter is a Jerusalem native dancer and choreographer and a graduate of the High School for the Arts in Jerusalem. He served in the IDF Theatre Department and danced in many professional companies before founding the c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group in Jerusalem in 2021. He also founded the annual ‘From Jaffa to Agripas’ Festival in Jerusalem’s famous Machne Yehuda Market.
Rand Zeid Taha is a Palestinian Dancer from Jerusalem. She graduated from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. A member of the Academy’s Ensemble and its excellence performance program, Taha won 3rd place her senior year in the annual ‘Gertrude Strauss Choreography Competition’. She was also awarded the Henny Jurriens Summer Intensive Scholarship in Amsterdam. Taha is performing with c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group and took part in the CINARS Biennale 2018, in Montreal.
Event contact: CA, berkeley_institute@law.berkeley.edu, 510-643-0501
Access Coordinator: Rebecca Golbert, berkeley_institute@law.berkeley.edu, 510-643-0501
קרדיטים
Choreography : Elad Schechter Creator / performer : Rand Taha Music : YUMA Light design : Daniel Yehuda Spector Costume design : Adi Yair
קורות חיים
Elad Schechter is a Jerusalem native dancer and choreographer. A graduate of the Jerusalem High School for the Arts, served in the IDF Theatre department and danced in many professional companies, such as ‘Charleoi Danses, Brussels’, ‘Vertigo Dance Company’ ׳Kibutz Contemporary Dance Company’ and more. In 2012 he founded the c.a.t.a.m.o.n Dance Group in Jerusalem. Schechter has been creating works since 2009. He is the recipient of the silver medal at the international choreography competition of Beijing in July 2011. Alongside his artistic work, Schechter is developing Jerusalem based projects that aims to develop dance, art and culture scene in the city. Elad founded ‘From Jaffa to Agripas’ festival – Dance in Machne Yehuda market, curated and developed ‘Alliance House’ – A home for creative communities, for ‘New-Spirit’ organization and curating ‘Dance in Masie’ – The complete dance series in Jerusalem at ‘Beit Masie’ Theater, between 2012-2016. Schechter is a LGBTQ activist in Jerusalem and is a father to his son that is being raised in shared parenthood alongside two women.