May 10, 2001

The Double Dutch Divas Demonstrate Amazing Jump Roping at MASS MoCA on June 9

(May 10, 2001 -- North Adams, MA) (North Adams, Mass.) MASS MoCA begins a summer of events for kids with The Double Dutch Divas on Saturday, June 9, at 4 pm. The Double Dutch Divas are an athletic and artistic group of women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who defy the demons of time by jumping ö and dancing ö double dutch. Although the demonstration is free with museum admission, advanced reservations are required, as space is limited.

Formerly considered an inner-city activity, double dutch involves at least two ropes turning in egg-beater fashion with one or more persons jumping in the middle. The Double Dutch Divas dance within the ropes, twirling, turning, twisting and doing fancy footwork to a variety of music as well as original songs composed by them.

The Divas have performed their unique routines in Italy, Canada, and across the United States in children's, folk, college, heritage, and arts festivals; street fairs, parades, marathons, museums, schools, and fund-raising events. The Double Dutch Divas ö Deirdre, 'Faith', 38; Diahann, 'Lady Di', 43; Shirley, 'Spirit', 51; Lyda, 'Sassy', 46; Willie, 'Heart', 48; Yvonne, 'Joy', 37; and Pandora, 'Spice', 44 ö have been televised nationally and internationally.

MASS MoCA's summer kids' events are co-sponsored by WNAW (AM 1230)/WMNB (FM 100.1) in North Adams, WSBS (AM 860) in Great Barrington and Berkshire Bank.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Double Dutch Divas is free with museum admission, which is $8 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6 to 16. Admission is free for children under 6, but they still need a reservation, as space is very limited. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the MASS MoCA Box Office at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams from 10 am until 6 pm daily or by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings. MASS MoCA focuses on the work of artists charting new territory; works that blur the lines between visual and performing arts; and works that have seldom, or never, been exhibited because of physical demands such as scale, materials, and fabrication methods.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org