Zikr Dance Ensemble has emerged as one of the most unique professional dance organizations in the United States. Support from donors provides Zikr with critical funding to mount inspiring productions that seamlessly merge contemporary ballet with 21st century technology and ancient dance rituals.
"Samsara is clearly one of the most powerful, yet sensitive and profound works I have seen in 35 years."
Hampton Bumgarner
"Dear David, I cannot tell you how beautiful and inspiring and moving and incredible the performance was. I thought it was even better than last year. The depth of your spirit and your artistic vision and creativity continues to awe me. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
Peggy Christianson, Director - The Geller Center for Spiritual development, Fort Collins
"Your work brings the ancient to the new millennium, it's lovely, insightful and exciting. You are blessed to work with many very strong and talented dancers."
Mary Kamp, Sacred Dance Guild Executive Board, Co-Director of Programs
The Zikr Dance Ensemble's mission is to preserve and present a spectrum of works that are based upon, or living replicas of, transcendent dance rituals from many different ancient world cultures throughout history. The Zikr Dance Ensemble preserves significant works of art that are rarely seen outside of their original milieu. These include some dances that are as much as two thousand years old. Along with these historical masterpieces, the company also performs original dance/theatre realizations that are contemporary interpretations inspired by a variety of cultures and forms of spiritual expression.
The Zikr Dance Ensemble was founded in 2009 by local contemporary ballet icon, David Taylor. In the fall of 2015, the Board of Directors voted to change the name to "David Taylor's Zikr Dance Ensemble" to capitalize on the name recognition and reputation of the founder.
The company's singular artistic focus on the exploration of ancient transcendent dance rituals and contemporary metaphysical dance/theatre realizations makes the Zikr Dance Ensemble totally unique among professional dance companies in the United States. Its relatively small size, flexibility and adaptability regarding performing spaces also makes it an ideal fit for both major presenters as well as college dance departments, museums, churches and other smaller or unusual venues, allowing Zikr's full artistic experience to easily travel without compromising the artistic integrity.
The Zikr Dance Ensemble celebrates the diversity of spiritual expression through its exploration and presentation of historic and sacred dance rituals from around the world. Combined with original, dramatic and contemporary works and 21st century technology, Zikr brings the ancient into the new millennium to create a full sensory, multi-media exploration of the human experience.
The overarching goal of Zikr is to deepen the understanding, tolerance and appreciation of the diverse religious/spiritual expressions from around the world among the communities of the Denver metropolitan area, bringing people together through the spirit of the dance. Using the beauty and grace of classically trained ballet dancers cantilevered against the profound dance rituals and traditions of such cultures as the Middle East, Asia and Native America, audiences are provided the unique opportunity to experience and connect with other cultures' search for divinity.
Zikr's stunning performance programs continue to be met with unanimous standing ovations and rave reviews in both urban and rural communities throughout Colorado and the nation. In addition to full-length performances, the Zikr performance season also includes Community Outreach performances and master classes.
Organization name
David Taylor's Zikr Dance Ensemble, Inc
other names
Zikr Dance Ensemble
2009
Tax id (EIN)
27-1713939
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
8000 S Lincoln, Ste 8Headquarters
8000 S Lincoln, Ste 8Arapahoe County, CO, US
Jefferson County, CO, US
Douglas County, CO, US
Larimer County, CO, US
Boulder County, CO, US