CEREMONIA, Antonio Ramos and The Gangbangers, La Plaza, The Clemente, Photo by Cherylynn Tsushima
CEREMONIA, Antonio Ramos and The Gangbangers, La Plaza, The Clemente, Photo by Cherylynn Tsushima

CEREMONIA
Antonio Ramos and The Gangbangers

June 15, 8pm - 9pm
La Plaza, The Clemente
Doors open at 7:45pm

All events in the River To River Festival are free and all are welcome

The Gangbangers blossom and wilt in a dance-theatre performance conceived by Antonio Ramos. In a mixed-tape Latino extravaganza of cultural misappropriation and reappropriation, Ramos calls on his ancestors and carries the audience on a journey to the bottom of the ocean and back again. This piece is a ceremony.

Performers include Paul Hamilton, Saúl Ulerio, Sarah White-Ayón, Rebecca Wender, Trevor Hansen, Adele Loux-Turner, and Molly Lieber.

Video art: Alex Romania
Costume Designer: Claire Fleury

Presented in partnership with The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center.

Supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels.

ANTONIO RAMOS is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and certified bodywork practitioner. He is the Artistic Director of Antonio Ramos and the Gangbangers. His work focuses on emotional and social themes as they manifest through his identity as a queer, HIV+ artist, and Puerto Rican artist who was born on the island. He takes this subject matter, full of darkness and difficulty, and creates joyous, celebratory choreography that harnesses the beauty in life while confronting the audience with challenging themes such as sexuality, the body, and histories of colonization. Ramos holds a B.F.A. in Dance from SUNY Purchase.

We are excited to present CEREMONIA as a part of a series of Lower East Side performances by Antonio Ramos + The Gangbangers, including this October at Abrons Art Center in partnership with The Clemente. Sign up for the Abrons Mailing List to receive their season announcement in August.

Profoundly attached to the world of dance since its origins, the High Jewelry Maison strengthens its commitment with Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Guided by the values of creation, transmission and education, this initiative aims to support artists and institutions in presenting choreographic heritage, while also promoting new productions. 

Since its launch in 2020, it has promoted numerous dance companies for their creations as well as the presentation of multiple performances around the world. 

The program is complemented each year by major events, including the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival, whose first edition took place in London in March 2022. 

This support further extends to awareness-raising actions focused on dance culture for the broadest possible audience, professionals and amateurs alike.