Alonzo King’s LINES

Sensual and sensational, the dancers of Alonzo King’s LINES Contemporary Ballet   stretch and ooze through his inventive choreography. King brings out different aspects of contemporary ballet with every music choice he makes. In this concert, we’ll hear music by jazz composer Pharoah Sanders, Japanese-American Miya Masaoka and, for the new work, new music composers John Oswald, Michael Jon Fink, and Peter Garland.

Meredith Webster and Harvey. Homepage photo of Caroline Rocher, photos by RJ Muna

Meredith Webster and David Harvey. Homepage photo of Caroline Rocher, photos by RJ Muna

 

 

 

 

 

Meredith Webster

Meredith Webster

Two of LINES’ most stunning dancers are stepping down after this season: Caroline Rocher, who was a 2001 “25 to Watch” in Dance Magazine; and Meredith Webster, who will serve as ballet master. With no shortage of star power, the LINES gala on May 21 is chaired by Linda Ronstadt. Anyone who’s met Alonzo King knows he’s a good talker, winding his way from frappés to philosophy. This season gives a chance to hear him expound on May 22. And on May 23 King will sign copies of LINES’ coffee table photo book, which reflects the striking sense of design that King, along with costume designer Robert Rosenwasser, has made a part of his aesthetic since the beginning. May 21–25, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA. Click here for tickets or here.

 

Like this Around the Country Uncategorized what to see 1

Donald Byrd’s Creative Explosion

While many Americans choreographers are bee-lining it to collaborate with international composers, Donald Byrd, artistic director of Seattle’s Spectrum Dance Theater, is placing his bets on Americans. It seems preposterous, but he is choreographing seven new works for a six-day festival—exactly the number of ballets that Balanchine made for the famous Stravinsky festival in 1972. From George Gershwin to John Zorn, Byrd is determined to satisfy his American itch.

 

Spectrum Dance Theater in Donald Byrd's LOVE (2012), photo by Nate Watters

Spectrum Dance Theater in Donald Byrd’s LOVE (2012), photo by Nate Watters

The title of the festival is promising: “Rambunctious: A Festival of American Composers and Dance.” That adjective describes perfectly his premiere for Dance Theatre of Harlem last season. I was taken by—rather grabbed by—his rambunctious Contested Space,  which I called “relentlessly inventive” in this posting. The first program of Rambunctious, May 15–17, includes music by Gershwin, Copland, and Persichetti, at Freemont Abbey Arts Center. For the second program, May 22–24 at Washington Hall, the composers are Wuorinen, John Zorn, and Don Krishnaswami. All the music will be played live by Seattle’s own chamber music group Simple Measures, including an overture to each performance by Charles Ives. For more info, click here. And to catch up on the voice of Donald Byrd, see his Choreography in Focus.

Like this Around the Country Uncategorized what to see Leave a comment

David Neumann

What happens when a funny guy gets serious? For dancer/actor/writer David Neumann, the recent deaths of both his parents have cast a shadow over his life and his current interdisciplinary work-in-process, I Understand Everything Better. Also on the program are more upbeat solos from the past, like Tough the Tough (Redux) and You Are In Control. The truth is, there was always something serious and searching in Neumann’s solos. Under the bumbling, staggering Everyman there was a thread of existential questioning, expressed in both movement and words. A few years ago, Neumann was brilliant in the Beckett program he shared with Baryshnikov, revealing an affinity for that absurdist/serious playwright. Before that, he brought a sharply quizzical quality to the roles he played in works by Big Dance Theater and Jane Comfort and Company.

Daivd Neumann, photo by Cherlynn Tsushim a. Photo on homepage by Baranova

Daivd Neumann, photo by Cherylynn Tsushima. Photo on homepage by Maria Baranova

This evening is co-presented by Jacob’s Pillow, which has presented Neumann before with great success.  April 26 at MASS MoCA’s Hunter Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets, call 413.662.2111 or click here. 

The final work I Understand Everything Better comes to American Dance Institute in Rockville, MD in March, 2015 and Abrons Arts Center in NYC April, 2015.

Like this Around the Country Uncategorized what to see 1

Dance Salad

Milonga by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, photo by Diego Franssens

Milonga by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, photo by Diego Franssens

Where in the U.S. can you see the works of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Beijing Dance LDTX, and stars of Paris Opéra Ballet all in one festival? The answer is easy: Dance Salad in Houston. Artistic director Nancy Henderick searches the globe for tasty choreography to offer her audience in Houston. Her formula is to provide excerpts from a range of international works, some familiar, but mostly new. Almost every year includes something by the mercurial Cherkaoui, and this year it’s his Milonga with a cast of 10 tango dancers from Argentina, two contemporary dancers, and five tango musicians.

Treading on Grass by Li Hanzhong & Ma Bo, photo by Wang Xiao-Jing

Treading on Grass by Li Hanzhong & Ma Bo, photo by Wang Xiao-Jing

Beijing Dance LDTX, a stunning group, performs two works by the husband-and-wife team Li Hanzhong, who co-founded the company, and Ma Bo. Treading on Grass is set to the piano version of Stravinsky’s Firebird, and Sorrowful Song is danced to Gorecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs.

Another highlight is bound to be Manuel Legris and Laetitia Pujol of Paris Opéra Ballet dancing the rapturous pas de deux from Preljocaj’s Le Parc and a duet from Neumeier’s Sylvia. Manuel Legris, now the artistic director of the Vienna State Ballet, was a POB étoile for two decades, and Pujol is a current étoile.

Preljocaj's Le Parc, photo by Gregory Batardon

Preljocaj’s Le Parc, photo by Gregory Batardon

But Dance Salad offers many other ingredients too. Dancers from the Royal Danish Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, and Staaatstheater Wiesbaden from Germany, are also part of the festival. At no other one-weekend festival can you see so many top dance artists from Europe and Asia. It’s worth the trip. April 17–19, 2014, at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center, Houston. Click here for more info.

Cygne by Daniel Proietto, photo by Erik Berg

Cygne by Daniel Proietto, for Norwegian National Ballet, photo by Erik Berg

Like this Around the Country what to see 1

National Water Dance

It started as local activism around Florida water issues, and in a mere three years has grown to be nationwide, with 80 institutions in 30 states participating. From Alaska to Arkansas, from Maine to Florida, the National Water Dance aims to raise awareness about the politics of access to safe water. Students as well as professional dancers will gather around a body of water, be it a lake, river, ocean, or creek on April 12 at 4:00 EST. United by a single cause, divided by geography, they will participate in “movement choirs,” a form originated by Rudolf Laban, to urge us all to be more responsible about the water we use. Part of a larger global effort, the U. S. portion is masterminded by choreographer/teacher Dale Andree and producer Daniel Lewis, longtime director of New World School of the Arts. To see the list of schools and companies participating, click here. To get involved, contact Dale Andree at dandree@nationalwaterdance.org. Up next: Anti-Fracking Dances (we wish).

Photos by Daniel Lewis

Photos by Daniel Lewis

Like this Around the Country what to see Leave a comment

Margaret Jenkins’ 40th

Time Bones, photo by Margo Moritz

Time Bones, photos by Margo Moritz

 

We know it ain’t easy for a woman to keep a dance company going. So kudos on the 40th anniversary of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company. With her experimental spirit, nurturing presence, and dance-body wisdom, Jenkins has helped make San Francisco a hub of dance. As a master teacher, she started the CHIME program to pair up mentors with emerging dance artists, a much needed service. As a choreographer she has expanded globally to work with dancers in China and India and, most recently, Jerusalem. Inspired by Israeli and Palestinian poets—and her own Jewish roots—she’s made a new work for the occasion, The Gate of Winds, in collaboration with the Kolben Dance Company of Israel. Also on the program is Times Bones, a look back on her past work performed to live music by the popular Paul Dresher Ensemble. The anniversary is April 3–6 at Yerba Buena Center Forum and Theater, and will also tour to Connecticut, Louisiana, and Jerusalem. For more info click here.

 

 

Like this Around the Country what to see Leave a comment

Giordano Dance Company

Choreographers may gravitate toward the coasts, but Chicago can claim some excellent dance makers too—and Autumn Eckman is one of them. She’s had a ton of commissions in the Midwest and has branched out to Maine, California, and Florida. But her home company is Giordano, for which she serves as assistant artistic director and resident choreographer. Her piece JOLT, which she worked on with artistic director Nan Giordano, races through a crazed morning routine to jolt you awake with wit, humor, and imaginative use of props. It’s performed with the blazing energy of the Giordano dancers. But she’s also capable of more lyrical, sweeping choreography, and her new Mist, with live music by Eric Whitacre’s choral chamber group Bella Voce, is bound to be slightly more romantic. March 28–29 at the Harris Theater. Click here for info and here for tickets.

Above: "JOLT" On previous page: “Sabroso”, with Ashley Rockwood & Sean Rozanski, choreography by Del Dominquez & Laura Flores, Photos by Gorman Cook

Above: “JOLT”
On previous page: “Sabroso”, with Ashley Rockwood & Sean Rozanski, choreography by Del Dominquez & Laura Flores, Photos by Gorman Cook

Like this Around the Country Uncategorized what to see Leave a comment

PNB’s Mash-Up Evening

If you’re interested in how other forms of dance infiltrate ballet—and you live near Seattle—check out Peter Boal’s Director’s Choice evening at Pacific Northwest Ballet. He’s got company favorites by (post)moderns Susan Marshall (Kiss) and Molissa Fenley (State of Darkness), and TAKE FIVE…More or Less by musical theater mastermind Susan Stroman. What’s new? A world premiere by Alejandro Cerrudo, everyone’s favorite tall, skinny Spaniard, who can flip between classical ballet (silky pirouettes) and modern (large scooping moves), as he did for Wendy Whelan’s Restless Creature.  March 14–23. Click here for tix.

James Moore & Mara Vinson in Kiss, photo © Angela Sterling

James Moore & Mara Vinson in Marshall’s Kiss. Homepage photo is of Stroman’s TAKE FIVE, with Kaori Nakamura; both photos © Angela Sterling.

Like this Around the Country what to see