NEW YORK, NY — The ChoreoJoey Project presents Music for Lovers, a world premiere. This jazz ballet explores the moments of tenderness, humor, companionship, desire, conflict, celebration, solitude, and collective joy on a cultural landscape of American jazz. Choreographed by Stephen Hill, the production serves as the season opener for The ChoreoJoey Project’s 12th year and will be presented for three performances at The Jacques d’Amboise Center for Learning & the Arts, 217 West 147th Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10039, on October 23 at 8:00 PM, October 24 at 8:00 PM, and October 25 at 3:00 PM.
The title and narrative lends itself around expanding the following lyric from Nina Simone’s song Music for Lovers:
“When the whole world discovers
That love's the only thing worthwhile
There'll be music for everyone
And the whole world will smile”
Throughout the ballet, love is not confined to romance. Instead, the dancers encounter and explore love of nature, family, community, platonic love, and intimacy. Through jazz dance, social dance, and movement influenced by West African technique. For all audiences, Music for Lovers offers an accessible entry into jazz compositions from the 1960s and ‘70s featuring artists Dorothy Ashby, Herbie Hancock, Idris Muhammad, Cal Tjader, Nancy Wilson and more.
The production features nine performers—three artists making their ChoreoJoey Project debut: Jaqi Grendeau, Dahlia Seidel and David Guallpa alongside six returning ChoreoJoey artists: Sara Alessia Giannini, Alaynia Fox, Mason Neally, Alazia J. Peters, Jasmine Presti, B’ili Scott.
This project is made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement and UMEZ Arts Engagement, a regrant program supported by The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC).
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The ChoreoJoey Project presents
MUSIC FOR LOVERS
Friday, October 23, 2026 — 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 24, 2026 — 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 25, 2026 — 3:00 PM
The Jacques d’Amboise Center for Learning & the Arts
217 West 147th Street
Manhattan, New York, NY 10039
Tickets are now on sale $30/$55/$75.
Tickets & Information:
https://ticketscandy.com/e/music-for-lovers-19979
This ballet is made possible through Funding for LMCC’s Manhattan Arts Grants is provided by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), and the Howard Gilman Foundation.
ABOUT THE CHOREOJOEY PROJECT
Founded in 2014, The ChoreoJoey Project is a New York City arts collective committed to preserving jazz and West African dance through poetry and storytelling.
