Bell Works of Holmdel, New Jersey – a once-ruined megastructure spanning over 472 acres and the brainchild of Eero Saarinen, the iconic architect who designed DC’s Dulles Airport and iconic St. Louis Arch, is experiencing a resounding rebirth as “The Metroburb” – a metropolis bringing urban life to the suburbs.
Over the past few years, Bell Works has attracted a myriad of startups, cutting-edge tech companies, insurance agencies, wealth management firms, health and fitness studios, salons and hairstyle and even the local library in town. This coming Wednesday, February 12, Bell Works continues to complete its ‘cutting edge’ identity by opening its doors to Monmouth County’s first professional ballet company, the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theatre; directed by director/choreographer, Gabriel Chajnik.
Chajnik shares, “Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theatre, now in its exciting second season, is a perfect fit for Bell Works, as our mission also revolves around innovating the ballet landscape and converting the public perception of the art form. The pop-up dance space AXCBT’ at Bell Works is not a dance studio, it’s a ‘community dance experience’!”
Chajnik, former dancer of The American repertoire balleta Juilliard graduate and student of world-renowned ballet master, Maestro Hector Zaraspewas approached by the Bell Works team after AXCBT performed excerpts from Alice in Wonderland and Chajnik’s Nutcracker on location in the summer of 2019. After months of working with Bell Works, the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater has imagined and developed an “open source” environment that offers visitors and employees a chance not only to observe rehearsals for the next season of the Ballet’s critically acclaimed original productions, but also to participate to a variety of exciting workshops for all ages and ability levels – starting Friday, February 21.
“Our public events and weekly workshops have been organized around the needs of the diverse Bell Works community, from professional classes taught by internationally renowned guest artists to introductory options for all ages – dance movement for kids preschoolers, “triple threat” musical theater for teens, ACT OUT Tuesdays for students with special needs and “Dance Break” Wednesdays for adults that focus on releasing stress, improving balance and are offered completely free of charge to Bell Works employees,” enthused Chajnik.
AXCBT and Bell Works invite you and your family to join them in this cultural collaboration – combining world-class venue with collaborative, transformative art. Find out more about AXCBT, upcoming courses and their exciting 2020 season online at AXCBT.org.
