
"A contemporary journey"
THE BOSTON GLOBE
"Dance at its boldest."
METROWEST DAILY NEWS
Below is a list of our upcoming and past events. For information on upcoming shows, programs, and festivals, kindly contact info@luminariumdance.org. To purchase tickets to an upcoming event, or to inquire about availability, please visit our BUY TICKETS page,
or contact tickets@luminariumdance.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENTS
PAST EVENTS
2013
GREEN STREET STUDIOS FUNDRAISER CAMBRIDGE MA
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 & SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 - As an avid supporter of Green Street Studios, Luminarium was proud to present its work in Green Street's Fundraiser Performance. Audiences enjoyed an evening of local companies showcasing their best, while supporting this important organization.
SECRETS & MOTION BOSTON UNIVERSITY DANCE THEATER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 - Two full, enthusiastic audiences joined us for the remount of this breath-taking production. Described by one critic as "a powerful play on poetry in motion and the mysteries hidden in the light and dark" (NE Theatre Geek), Secrets & Motion combines dance, light, and text to create a performance riddled with contemplative thought, and a little humor. Collaborating with photographer Larry Pratt and installation artist Hannah Verlin, Luminarium presented viewers with an evening deeply rooted in the secrets we keep, share, and dismantle.
FINE ARTS CENTER AMHERST MA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 - Luminarium was thrilled when invited to present three of its works and one film series at the UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, as we joined the ranks of its prestigious professional dance series, while opening for Time Lapse Dance.
SECRETS & MOTION ARMORY, SOMERVILLE MA
AUGUST 13, 14, 15 - All three debut performances of Secrets & Motion brought a sold-out audience to the Armory. The production turned the Armory into breathing work of art, showcasing a 20-foot installation, photo gallery, and 7 new works by Guerra and Holman.
24-HOUR CHOREOFEST DANCE COMPLEX, CAMBRIDGE MA
AUGUST 16 - 17 - Luminarium pioneers this unique annual festival, in which five dance companies join Luminarium in locking themselves inside the famous Dance Complex overnight to create new work for a performance the following evening. Viewers are encouraged to watch the process unfold via live stream online throughout the 24-hour period. 2013 ChoreoFest participants included: Monkeyhouse, Intimations, Impact Dance, Paradise Lost, and Ryan P. Casey.
BOSTON SUMMER ARTS WEEKEND COPLEY SQ, BOSTON MA
JULY 28 - Luminarium enjoyed returning to the second annual Boston Summer Arts Weekend in Boston's Copley Square. The company presented Luminarium favorite It was 4am..., Mythos:Pathos's Of good, evil; and remounted one of the company's founding works from 2010 Everything But Blue.
FOREST HILLS LANTERN FESTIVAL JAMAICA PLAIN MA
JULY 18 - The company presented an early rendition of its new work Hush at the 15th Annual Forest Hills Lantern Festival, held on the cemetery grounds. Dancers performed excerpts of the work, while also creatively (and humorously) interacting with children and families attending the event, while dancing inside 3x3' lantern-inspired boxes amidst the tombstones.
YEAR 3 GALA & SHOWCASE ARMORY, SOMERVILLE MA
JUNE 23 - Luminarium celebrated its third anniversary surrounded by friends, fans, and supporters. Beautiful speeches were delivered by Pam Weeks (NE Quilt Museum), Mayra Howard (Young At Arts), Julia E. Wagner (collaborating artist), Justyne Griffin (collaborating composer), and Monkeyhouse.
DANCE FOR WORLD COMMUNITY FESTIVAL CAMBRIDGE MA
JUNE 9 - Performed our ever-popular Prometheus at Jose Mateo's Dance for World Community Festival.
COGDESIGN'S SPRING GARDEN FEST WALTHAM MA
MAY 18 - Luminarium performers and several brightly colored umbrellas danced through the Nursery Gardens of COGdesign, a local landscape design nonprofit organization. The company collaborated with jazz trumpet and bass duo Jenn Allen and Christos Zevos as part of the annual Spring Garden Fest celebration and fundraiser.
MILESTONES: TEXTILES OF TRANSITION SAN JOSE CA
MAY - West Coast launch of the bi-coastal debut of Luminarium’s Threading Motion Project, featuring Guerra’s dance-on-camera film series Quilt Vignettes. Invited for display in this contemporary exhibition at the oldest quilt museum in America, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.
JAZZ WEEK BOSTON HYDE PARK LIBRARY, BOSTON MA
MAY 2 - Luminarium Artistic Director Kimberleigh A. Holman collaborated with trumpeter and sound artist Forbes Graham in a performance at the Hyde Park Library in celebration of Jazz Week Boston. The duo explored tone, space and movement through a continuous hour of performance. (Presented by Artists-at-Large, Inc. and the Hyde Park Branch of the Boston Public Library.)
SILK! NEW ENGLAND QUILT MUSEUM, LOWELL MA
APRIL 20 & 27 - East Coast launch of the bi-coastal debut of Luminarium’s Threading Motion Project, featuring Guerra's dance-on-camera film series Quilt Vignettes, on display and created in collaboration with the NEQM’s exhibition Silk!, and Holman's live performance trio, weaving 60 feet of silk through the museum, to the sounds of live poetry and original music by trumpet / bass duo Jenn Allen and Christos Zevos.
TINDERBOX SERIES MOBIUS, CAMBRIDGE MA
APRIL - Luminarium was selected to present a preview performance of the Threading Motion Project, including live performances of Cynthia Star and Spinal, alongside five of the six final films from the "Quilt Vignettes" Film Series. The company also debuted a solo rendition of the live performance to take place at the NE Quilt Museum a few weeks later, combining live music, dance, and poetry.
AGAINST THE ODDS FESTIVAL SPRINGSTEP, MEDFORD MA
MARCH 28 - Invited to present Andromeda and Hubris at this annual festival hosted by Monkeyhouse Dance.
2012
MYTHOS:PATHOS A.R.T.'S OBERON, CAMBRIDGE MA
NOVEMBER 29 - The culminating finale performance of the Mythos:Pathos project (which expanded over time, allowing audiences to view its progress from summer to late fall of 2012) was performed at American Repertory Theater's prestigious OBERON theater. The show utilized nontraditional lighting, while showcasing a contemporary take on Greek mythology.
CONSCIENTIZAÇAO FORD HALL, ITHACA COLLEGE NY
OCTOBER - The company enjoyed an exciting roadtrip and dance adventure when it was invited to create a commissioned choreographic work alongside composer Justyne Griffin. Themed in feudal revolution, the new work was performed with a live chamber orchestra of 26 musicians in Ithaca’s beautiful Ford Hall.
TEXT & CONTEXT SERIES ARSENAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
SEPTEMBER - Guerra and Holman were invited to kick off the season's Text & conText Artist Series by speaking about their careers in the arts, covering a body of work from 2008 to present.
COGDESIGN'S GARDENS & HEALING EVENT ARLINGTON MA
SEPTEMBER 19 - To commemorate the unveiling of a newly completed garden at the Children's Room, in Arlington, MA, the company inhabited the green space in a living representation of grief and the healing process.
MYTHOS:PATHOS ARSENAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS
SEPTEMBER - The company presented an expanded version of the production in Watertown, which included a series of light-based artworks welcoming guests as they entered the building.
MYTHOS:PATHOS ARMORY, SOMERVILLE MA
AUGUST - Our debut performances of Mythos:Pathos were a big hit in Somerville... Nearly all of the audience members returned to see the show in Watertown later that summer, or at OBERON in November!
24-HOUR CHOREOFEST DANCE COMPLEX, CAMBRIDGE MA
AUGUST - Luminarium pioneers this unique annual festival, in which five dance companies join Luminarium in locking themselves inside the famous Dance Complex overnight to create new work for two performances the following evening. Viewers are encouraged to watch the process unfold via live stream online throughout the 24-hour period. 2012 participants included: Monkeyhouse, 1000 Virtues Dance, Sarah Mae Gibbons & Renee Amirault, Kate Ladenheim, and the Synthesis Aesthetics Project. All profits from the inaugural 2012 performance were donated to Young At Arts, an arts-based charity in South Boston MA.
SOMERVILLE DANCE FESTIVAL UNION SQ, SOMERVILLE MA
JULY - Giving local audiences a second sneak preview of Mythos:Pathos, the company presented Andromeda, as part of this outdoor evening festival combining video projection and live performance.
ARTBEAT FESTIVAL DAVIS SQ, SOMERVILLE MA
JULY - A beautiful event! Luminarium was the sole dance company to perform outdoors at night during the festival. Presented three creatively-lit pieces in the dark, including Andromeda, Agonia, and It was 4am...
BOSTON SUMMER ARTS WEEKEND COPLEY SQ, BOSTON MA
JULY - Invited to perform at this exciting inaugural event, hosted by ArtsBoston, Citizen’s Bank, WGBH and the Boston Globe.
DANCE FOR WORLD COMMUNITY FESTIVAL CAMBRIDGE MA
JUNE - Luminarium was chosen to perform in the beautiful Sanctuary Theater at Jose Mateo's Dance for World Community Festival. We also participated in Advocacy Lane.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ORCHARD HOUSE, CONCORD MA
MAY - Invited to present new work entitled the Celebration of Preservation Project in honor of the museum’s centennial anniversary. The company performed outdoors on the lawn for three moved crowds, ranging from children to elders, art enthusiasts to passersby. Funded in part by the Concord Cultural Council.
HATCH PRESENTING SERIES JENNIFER MULLER, NYC
MAY - Selected to present Guerra’s dance-on-camera / live-performance piece What seems so is transition (live) as part of Jennifer Muller / The Work's Hatch Presenting Series in NYC.
2011
Y.E.S. GREEN STREET STUDIOS
November 4 & 5 - Green Street Studios of Cambridge MA invited Luminarium to produce a two-night show in its theatre in Central Square. Luminarium was pleased to present its Year End Show ("Y.E.S.") at Green Street, in which the company presented new work performed at the Seacoast Fringe Festival four weeks earlier, as well as some of the Season's favorite choreography. A beautiful, humorous, and introspective two-night performance featuring the full company.
MEMENTO MORI MOBIUS, CAMBRIDGE MA
October 19 - 23 - Luminarium was selected to present two dance pieces and one artistic film at the Mobius Alternative Arts Space in its Memento Mori exhibit in late October. The company was even asked to present a third piece spontaneously on the night of the event. For photos, video, and thoughts, kindly visit our blog post HERE.
SEACOAST FRINGE FESTIVAL PORTSMOUTH NH
October 8 & 9 - Luminarium began the second half of its 2011 Season performing in this exciting Columbus Day Weekend festival. The company brought with it an hour-long show premiering two new pieces and revisiting the Season's strongest repertory. Saturday 10/8 at 8pm in the South Church, and Sunday 10/9 at 6pm in Temple Israel. Visit the festival site for more details on this fun annual event! www.seacoastfringefestival.com
SPONSOR BENEFIT GALA AKA BISTRO, LINCOLN MA
June 26 - Over 50 sponsors, patrons, artists and community members joined us for our first Sponsor Benefit Gala: an evening of fine dining and the One Year Anniversary of Luminarium! Held at Lincoln's French and Japanese cuisine AKA Bistro, the night provided sponsors with the chance to mingle with Luminarium's choreographers and performers. Guests met the company, while enjoying live jazz, delicious hors-d'oeuvres and catching a glimpse of our year's work as we projected footage of our shows and events onto a central screen.
IN SYNC / SAMBANDH EASTHAMPTON MA
June 18 - A Japan Fundraiser. Luminarium was invited to perform with Nataraj Dancers to support those affected by the devastation in Japan. Japanese and Indian musicians came together with Nataraj Dancers and Luminarium Dance Company to perform in a celebration of dance, art and culture! June 18, 7:00pm at the Williston Theatre in the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton MA.
DANCE FOR WORLD COMMUNITY FESTIVAL CAMBRIDGE MA
June 11 - Luminarium was chosen to perform on the beautiful outdoor mainstage at Jose Mateo's Dance for World Community Festival. We also participated in Advocacy Way: a street devoted to dance-related information booths, where we spoke with viewers and dancers about our company and the Boston dance scene as a whole.
LEAP CAMBRIDGE MA
May 27 - In December of 2010, Luminarium received the President's Innovation Fund through the Boys & Girls Club of Boston. The company spent months working with students through a series of master classes, rehearsals and workshops on art, dance and choreography over the course of the semester. The 'Performing Arts Project' culminated in May with a performance at the Cambridge Family YMCA Theatre. This collaboration marked the beginning of Luminarium's community outreach program LEAP: Leading & Engaging Artistic Pursuits. View an in depth blog entry chronicalling the event HERE.
MHC COMMENCEMENT CONCERT SOUTH HADLEY MA
May 21 - In 2010, Luminarium received an honorarium to begin its 2011 Spring Tour by presenting its newest piece 'you have hands, too?' at Mount Holyoke College's Commencement Concert, commemorating present and past graduates of dance.
KICKSTARTER COUNTDOWN CAMBRIDGE MA
April 22 - Kickstarter Countdown & World Premiere! Donors and friends joined us to celebrate the last hours of our kickstarter campaign. Plus, as an added bonus...having surpassed our goal of $2,000, we presented our dance-on-camera film 'Everything But Blue.' It was an upbeat and exciting night as we ended our campaign.
MHC ARTS CAREER DAY SOUTH HADLEY MA
March 5 - Co-Founders Merli V. Guerra and Kimberleigh A. Holman were invited to speak at Mount Holyoke College's first Arts Career Day. Students were given the opportunity to hear alumnae speak about the possibilities of a career in the arts after college. To read a review of the event, please view: mtholyoke.edu/news/stories/5682741
MOVEMENT AT THE MILLS BOSTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS
March 4 - Luminarium Dance Company was chosen to perform in Boston Center for the Arts' Movement at the Mills on March 4th, featuring "three prominent Boston dance companies."
2010
FRACTURE DANCE COMPLEX, CAMBRIDGE MA
October 8 & 9 - FRACTURE: With fractured light comes self and shadow. Luminarium's debut performance, featuring five new work and one film, was held at the Dance Complex in Cambridge, MA. View photos HERE, or check out the review!










UP NEXT
COMPANY CLASS WINTER SESSION GREEN STREET STUDIOS
7:30-9PM THURSDAYS, JANUARY 30, FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20 - Periodically throughout the season, Luminarium is happy to spend four weeks opening its company class to the public. Dance alongside Luminarium Company Members while learning the two unique styles of LDC Directors Merli V. Guerra and Kimberleigh A. Holman in a fun, Int/Adv Modern Dance environment. Between Guerra's contemporary movement with a hint of Classical Indian influence, and Holman's "whimsically physical" modern technique, this winter session will warm your body, challenge your mind, and keep you smiling as we kick off the new year. Held at Green Street Studios, Studio 1, Cambridge MA.
Single Class: $15, Drop-ins welcome
4-Class Card: Special Rate! Buy 3, get one FREE! $45
*Please note: We cannot offer refunds for purchased single or 4-class cards. Single cards can be used at any of the four classes (February 6, 13, 20, or 27).
THIRD LIFE CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE SOMERVILLE MA
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 8PM - The Third Life Studio Choreographers Series in Union Square, Somerville, is a delight. Now a monthly Friday night event, it is the recent brainchild of choreographer/dance activist Kelley Donovan. Audience members can park across the street at Citizens Bank before searching for a casually painted door at 33 Union Square. Waiting in a tiny hallway for tickets, greeting other dance theatregoers, and watching the action from an intimate seating area are also part of the fun. Come watch Luminarium present its work alongside local talented choreographers! Show begins at 8pm. Tickets are $20 at the door, $15 if purchased online by 3pm of the show date. BUY TICKETS.
DANCE+ SERIES ARMORY, SOMERVILLE MA
10-11:30AM SATURDAYS, APRIL 5, 12, 19, 26 - LUMINARIUM'S
HEART & SOLE REGENT THEATRE, ARLINGTON MA
SUNDAY, MAY 18, 7PM - *Please note this concert was rescheduled from February to May, due to snow. In celebration of Spring, professional dancers from around Boston are partnering up for a special evening of dance at Arlington’s historic Regent Theatre. From jazz, modern and flamenco to tap, ballet and Latin fusion, these talented twosomes are ready to share the passion for dance that lives in their hearts and in their soles! Performers include tap dancers Suzanne Bouffard and Kelly Kaleta; the always humorous Monkeyhouse; musical theater dance maven Rachel Bertone; the stylish salsa of Mariale Dance Fusion; the innovative Luminarium Dance Company; and many more... Join a variety of performing pairs for an evening of engaging, entertaining & diverse duets curated by nationally recognized, 6’8” Dorrance Dance hoofer Ryan P. Casey. Come see these dynamic duos for just one night! Show begins at 7pm. Tickets TBA.
LUMINARIUM GALA & SHOWCASE ARMORY, SOMERVILLE MA
SUNDAY, JUNE 22 - Come celebrate Luminarium's 4th anniversary with drinks, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and special performances. Held at the Center for Arts at the Armory, Somerville MA. Tickets and time TBA.

Photos on this page by: Kristophe Diaz, Ryan Carollo, Jim Coleman, Kimberleigh A. Holman, Merli V. Guerra, Fred Langa, Michelle Boule, Steph Hodge, and Liza Voll.