Dance meets fashion at ‘Spellbound’

The three-part hybrid event is a collaboration between Zoetic Dance Ensemble and The2econdFloor

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On March 9, three emerging designers will showcase their designs during Spellbound, a three-part dance and fashion hybrid production by Zoetic Dance Ensemble and creative consulting/event planning firm The2econdFloor. The performance art-meets-runway show will feature a post-apocalyptic fairy tale and love story written by Nicholas Goodly, and interpreted through dance for a live experience that’s truly unique. The three designers featured are Brittani Bumb, Kate Charbonneau, and Natasha Furman.

CL chatted with The2econdFloor creative director and owner Corey Bertrand about the inspiration for the show, why events like this are important to ATL’s creative community, and more.

How’d the idea for this collaborative event come about?

I’ve worked with Zoetic Dance Ensemble in the past and I was looking for the right project to work with them again. I’m a huge fan of Alexander McQueen, and I always wanted to do something kind of dark and edgy that involved fashion. I had the idea about a witch who kidnapped these girls and kept them for her entertainment. I thought that it would make a great concept for a fashion show, and then I had the idea to use dancers instead of models. From there I worked with writer Nicholas Goodly to develop the story about the witch and the apocalypse survivors. We came up with an interesting story of good and evil and love at the end of the world. The story was given to the designers and the dance company, and they were asked to interpret it in their respective medium.

How would you describe the performance?

Attendees can expect a unique multimedia experience. We’ve mashed up amazing choreography from Zoetic, edgy fashion by three emerging designers, some film work by Vinisha Rumph with an original score by producer Sensei Bueno. This was a very ambitious project for all of us, and I’ve enjoyed watching it come together. Everyone has really impressed me with how creative and hardworking they’ve been.

How were the three designers chosen?

I’ve produced several fashion shows with Goodwill of North Georgia called Re2urrection. It’s a project that involves local fashion designers creating designer pieces from previously owned clothing found at Goodwill stores. All of the designers were a part of the most recent show and they were three of my favorites. I enjoyed working with them, and I knew that they would be able to create something remarkable that fit the vision I had for the show. I approached them with the idea and they were up for the challenge of creating something stylish yet danceable.

Why are events like this important to Atlanta’s culture scene?

Atlanta has grown so much, and I feel we have to create events and projects that allow us to compete with New York and LA. My goal is to always present things that are authentic and that involve emerging artists. There’s so much talent in this city, and it’s important to give those creatives opportunities to showcase their work; otherwise, we lose them to other great cities.

Spellbound. Tickets $25. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances. Thurs., Mar. 9. Synchronicity Theatre, 1545 Peachtree St. N.E. #102, 404-484-8636, endthespell.com.