Thata Samba Show
- Chicago, IL
- Samba Dancer
- 6 Verified Bookings
Marian A. said “Thata was amazing and very fast at responding. The drummers were on time and did a great job. Would 100% use again and highly recommend”
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LAURIE GOUX founded SpiritWing Dance Ensemble under the guidance and direction of Dance Masters Tommy Gomez (original Katherine Dunham Company member) and Jimmy Payne Sr. (Master Tap and Afro-Cuban Choreographer and Instructor). A former faculty member of Columbia College Dance Center, Laurie has 25 years experience in mainstream modern dance and teaches Dunham Technique.
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Price Range: $200 and up
Gig Length: 3 - 90 minutes
Languages: English
SpiritWing Dance Ensemble presents live dance and music concerts for all ages audiences. Featuring modern, African, Caribbean, and contemporary dance and music forms SpiritWing dazzles audience members with exciting showmanship and authentic folklore dance from around the world.
Bio: Laurie Goux, Presenter/Choreographer/Instructor
Laurie Goux is a new resident of WV and has had the honor of performing and teaching Dunham Technique at the 2010 Augusta Festival at Davis & Elkins College. Laurie has been performing and choreographing throughout Chicago since 1981. In 1995 she formed Spirit Wing Dance Ensemble under the guidance of her mentors Tommy Gomez and Jimmy Payne Sr. She worked at South Shore Cultural Center where she taught and developed dance curricula from 1991 to 1995. Laurie was a dance administrator for Boulevard Arts Center for 5 years. She has presented Arts-In-Education programs for Chicago Public Schools since 1988. Ms. Goux was Assistant Director of both, Body Language Dance Company under Tommy Gomez and Englewood Children’s Dance Company under Jimmy Payne Sr. She was artistic director and co-presenter of “Keep the Legacy Alive: Tribute to Katherine Dunham” and Katherine Dunham Awards (phone number hidden)8. She has performed in the works of Claudia Gittleman, Loretta Livingston, June Finch, Shirley Mordine, XSight! Performance Group, Jan Erkert, Carol Bobrow, Tommy Gomez, and Martha Clarke’s, “Haiku” performed by Mordine & Company trio, Tim O’Slynne, Brian Jeffery and Laurie Goux..
Her solo work, “Saturn Over Sunset”, was award winning at the American College Dance Festival and as a result was awarded scholarships from Alwin Nikolais/Murry Lewis and Merce Cunningham. She was also offered scholarship to Ailey school but continued her studies at Columbia College to become one of Chicago’s most influential choreographers and instructors.
Laurie was Executive Director of the Legacy Theatre and promoter of the world premier, all Black cast of “Ebony On Ice”. She served on the faculty and staff of Columbia College Dance Center where she taught Modern Dance as a part of the core curriculum and participated in Writing Across The Curriculum as a Columbia College instructor. She directed 6 Chicago Gallery 37 projects as an Independent Artist, served as dance instructor/administrator for Chicago Park District since 1991 to 2001. In 2006 Laurie’s endeavors included launching the promotion of “Cookin’ With Jazz Television Production”, featuring Chef Jimmy Carter and local jazz artists. Ms. Goux is co-producing, “Smilin’ Island” a children’s educational show with Reggae/R&B/Rap, Gold/Platinum Recording Artist/Producer, Max-A-Million.
Laurie is developing a Youth Violence Prevention Initiative for elementary and high schools. The program will utilize multi-media as a means to inspire youth to make positive choices. She has also developed a dance and physics curriculum for K-8th grade. The lessons are inspired by the curriculum shared with Ms. Goux by a Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Physics Department of Michigan State University. Laurie and along with a 4 star chef have developed the Kids-In-Shape after-school program that combines the culinary arts and dance exercise to fight obesity and diabetes in children.
Laurie has mentored several Chicago artists: Susan Peters, PhD, Univ. of Chicago, Ingrid Boyd, who is pursuing her Masters Degree in anthropology, Aya Christa Posey, CEO of Imaging and Aesthetics, Iyiola Adebajo, Artistic Director of Respect for Dance, and Sadira Muhammad who is pursuing developing her own educational dance company.
Spirit Wing Dance Ensemble honored youth dancers with awards under the names of Legends, Jimmy Payne Sr, Tommy Gomez and Lucielle Ellis at their annual concert/silent art auction at Harold Washington Cultural Center. Laurie taught modern dance at Kennedy-King College in the Continuing Education Department in (phone number hidden)5, performed at Northwestern University with XSight! Performance Group. She mentored students at Northeastern Illinois University teaching Dunham technique to students pursuing their Masters degree in anthropology. Ms. Goux recently taught Dunham Technique at the University of Chicago to the UC Dancers. SpiritWing Dance Ensemble presented the 14th annual Katherine Dunham Tribute at DuSable Museum and the Bucktown Arts Festival in October 2009 and was invited back for 2010.
wood dance floor/stage, marley covering if floor is not in good condition, 1 lav mic, 2 standing mics, 1 handheld cordless mic.
Laurie is a former student and faculty member of Columbia College Dance Center, Chicago and a student of the Legendary Katherine Dunham and protege of Tommy Gomez and Jimmy Payne, Sr. The company creates original modern dance works and sound scores influenced by Dunham Technique.
Marian A. said “Thata was amazing and very fast at responding. The drummers were on time and did a great job. Would 100% use again and highly recommend”
Barb P. said “So happy with all arrangements. She was very professional & beautiful with a wonderful personality witch made the surprise party a fun event. Will…”
Dr. S. said “The audience loved the performance.”
Amanda V. said “These girls added so much to the ambiance and made our event come alive! Everyone loved them and they were such a hit! Highly recommend! The event coordinator…”