Exit12 Honored at Downtown Dance Festival Today, 8/18

Exit 12 Dance Company, a contemporary dance company founded by United States Marine Corps Sergeant Roman Baca upon his return from Iraq, will be honored at the Downtown Dance Festival Performance today, August 18, 2012 at 8pm at Dance New Amsterdam. The troupe will dedicate their performances in Battery Dance Company's (BDC) week-long festival in downtown New York City to Lieutenant Colonel Mark Weber, an inspiring Minnesota National Guard Army officer with stage IV cancer.

Through a fellowship with The Mission Continues, an organization that awards community service fellowships to post-9/11 veterans, Baca worked with BDC to bring their "Dancing to Connect" education program to Erbil, Iraq last April. His mission: to introduce the war-torn country to artistic healing. Now, BDC honors Baca's service at the culmination performance of their 31st annual festival.

Dubbed "an unusual union of dance and topicality" by the New York Times, Baca's Exit 12 Dance Company performs works with military themes, strives to educate audiences about the realities of war, and advocates diversity and mutual understanding through cultural exchange. They will perform two works: their signature, "Homecoming," a poignant piece set to letters written to soldiers at war by their loved ones, and "Conflict(ed)," which investigates the phrase, "The face of the enemy frightens me only when I see how much it resembles me."

To extend the honor to service, Exit 12 is dedicating these performances to Lieutenant Colonel Weber. His spirit through adversity is highlighted to inspire fellow veterans, military, and civilians to rise above their challenges and serve their community.

Performers are Aaron Atkins, David Claps, Adrienne Cousineau, Meaghan Doherty, Lisa Fitzgerald, Taylor Gordon, and Paige Grimard.

More information at www.exit12danceco.com.