Polaris and Fertile Ground collaborate and bring attention to the Portland arts

Polaris Dance Theatre and the Fertile Ground festival have collaborated to create the Groovin' Greenhouse - a hub for new dance works to grow.  The Fertile Ground Festival is a nationally recognized 10 day event based in Portland, OR that caters to local Portland artists, giving them a platform to showcase their new works.  Launched in 2009, by Portland Area Theatre Alliance (PATA), Fertile Ground originally only showcased theatre artists.  In 2010, Fertile Ground extended its program to include dance, comedy, and visual arts, making this festival a dynamic and entertaining venue for the public both near and far.  The Fertile Ground festival shows that Portland is an artistically rich and diverse city with unique talents sprouting new works regularly.  Through Fertile Ground, Portland truly makes a spot for itself on the national art map.

"Fertile Ground aspires to provide a forum where art lovers near and far will come to appreciate that Portland truly is fertile ground for creativity, innovation, and daring acts of performance." ~ Fertile Ground

Polaris Contemporary Dance Center

In 2010, Polaris Dance Theatre was among the first local and professional dance companies invited to join Fertile Ground.  Polaris was launched in 2002 by award winning Artistic Director, Robert Guitron, and in 2009, Polaris Dance Theatre opened the Polaris Contemporary Dance Center in downtown Portland.  The Center is a community outreach center and a training ground for dance, including state-of-the-art cross conditioning and health and fitness training taught by professional dancers, so that everyone in the Portland community may benefit from dance.  Polaris Dance Theatre was thrilled to be among the first local dance companies to showcase new works at the 10 day Fertile Ground festival last year because it shares the same mission of bringing attention to the ever growing Portland arts scene.  The 2011 Fertile Ground festival will feature even more new dance projects through a special collaboration with Polaris and its new dancehub the Groovin' Greenhouse, located at the fabulous Polaris Contemporary Dance Center in downtown Portland.   

Polaris Contemporary Dance Center

The Center is located at 1501 SW Taylor Street, and is the venue for the "Groovin' Greenhouse" during the Fertile Ground Festival. 

REPO 12.9.10 - 12.11.10 @ 7:30 p.m. @ Lincoln Hall

"Polaris Dance Theatre has plans to expose Portland audiences to a wide variety of fresh moves during January's Fertile Ground festival by curating a series of performances. From January 20 to 30, Polaris will open its downtown studio theater to other Portland-based choreographers and dance companies, hosting what it calls the Groovin' Greenhouse. The relationship between Fertile Ground and Polaris Dance Theatre was formed because both are important figures in the Portland artistic community that strive to reveal the original creations happening locally." ~ Marty Hughley, The Oregonian   

Polaris Dance Theatre is the producing company for the Groovin' Greenhouse bringing not only the returning Polaris Company's new works to the festival, but also other local and professional dance companies such as NW Fusion Dance, Legacy Dance, Dance Coalition of Oregon, etc. as well.  If you are a local dance company that wants to showcase your new works and be apart of the outstanding 10 day festival, scroll down to find out how to apply.

The festival runs January 20th through the 30th.  As the third year to this new Portland based arts festival, Fertile Ground and Polaris Dance Theatre are excited to bring new exhibits and entertainment to the public.  The Fertile Ground festival and Polaris' Groovin' Greenhouse are truly original Portland creations that will open your eyes to outstanding local new works.  We hope you join us! 

Get TICKETS for Polaris Dance Theatre presents Groovin' Greenhouse and/or get TICKETS!!! for the whole Fertile Ground festival today! 

If you are a dance company interested in applying for a segment during the Groovin' Greenhouse Fertile Ground festival it's not too late. APPLY TODAY!. 

For an application and if you have any questions email Polaris' Marketing Director,  Natasha Kautsky, or call: (503) 929-0791.