Page 14 - The Jewish Voice - March '23

Page 14, The Jewish Voice

Local Happenings from page 13

moves from talented professionals Andrea and Dmitriy Continuous music allowed students to practice what they had Their collaborative
Kuzmenko of Abacoa’s In Motion Ballroom studio. To ready learned throughout the evening. Cityscape body of
the assemblage for Temple Beth David’s upcoming Tropical Andrea Fitzpatrick Kuzmenko began her dance training in work is a sculptural
Paradise Gala, the group began with lessons in swing dance. upstate New York at age 5 and holds a BA in dance from the exploration offering
Attendees were judged to have “light feet” and “good moves,” University of Buffalo. Dmitriy Kuzmenko began his training reflections on the
and the class quickly graduated to executing both “regular” at 10 years of age in Moldova, and has a master’s degree in nature of self as it
turns and the fun “cuddle turn.” Andrea and Dmitriy then choreography from the National Pedagogical University in relates to the places
slowed things down a bit and taught the crowd the basics Kharkiv, Ukraine. Since they began dancing together over and things that shape
and rhythms of rhumba, with turns included, of course! Some 10 years ago, they found that their greatest rewards were our experience.
were asked to mix and match so that everyone, whether they in being able to inspire and nurture their students to reach Drawing on both
came alone or as a couple, had a partner with whom to dance. their fullest potential. By the end of the evening, the Temple modern and ancient
Beth David crowd was energized, swinging, swaying, and mythos as well as
dancing — and ready to party! a meditation on the
causal relationship
Benzaiten Center between set and
for Creative Arts setting, they work
together to weave a visual tapestry of form, light, and
color. For them, glass is a special medium because of
Benzaiten Brings Husband and Wife Team both its elemental nature and inherent optic qualities such
to Palm Beach County as refraction, dispersion, transmission, and reflectivity
The Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts is excited – which speak directly to the movement of light within
about bringing husband and wife team Josh Davids and the material. In these series, traditional vessel forms are
Ekin Aytac to spend two days at the center. They will manipulated into unconventional objects used to evoke
be displaying various skills in glassblowing, diamond landscapes as viewed from a unique perspective. Shared
cutting, and sand engraving. Ekin is from Edremit, Turkey, interests in light and color, architectural and geometric
and Josh comes from Colorado. This dynamic duo draws pattern, nature, and narratives, help guide the formal
from a unique combination of culture, heritage, and elements of each object as they build layers and deconstruct
Instructors Andrea and Dmitriy demonstrate steps. experience to elicit profound expression in new works of the bubble. A variety of hot glass color applications,
glass art. They have lived, traveled, and created artwork diamond cutting, and sand engraving coalesce and come
together since 2014. together to represent the visual rhythms of the world we
inhabit together.

Davids and Aytac Events
Friday, March 17, Artist Blow-Out, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
This is a high-energy and muscular three-hour
combination glassblowing, diamond cutting, and sand
engraving demonstration all with the help of our own
talented staffers. It is unlike anything you may have
experienced elsewhere. The center also brings in local
bands to accompany this amazing demonstration. The cost
for this event is only $15 at the door and that includes
simple nibbles and two drink tickets!
A ndre a and Dmi triy
Kuzmenko Barbara and Len Schwartz Local Happenings on page 15