nyc.dancr
My former dance troupe the Academy of Danse Libre is performing at the SF Ethnic Dance Festival this weekend. Merde, everyone!
San Francisco folks: Get your tickets now. Don’t miss their shows!!!
“Schottische Quadrilles”
Reconstruction/Choreography by Richard Powers
Dancers: The Academy of Danse Libre
Photographer: Jason Chuang
Opening night at the Wave Rising Series, featuring works by emerging choreographers.
Exciting work, if I may add!!! The series continues for two more weekends including works by four more companies that didn’t present tonight. Go and check them out. Some of my favorites:
“Searching for a Phase Change” by LaneCoArts. I like the fusion of dance, drawing, and the various music segments. The interplay between the dancers and the painter is novel and unexpected. The piece starts with five dancers moving about the room, and a painter on the floor furiously filling his canvas with bold lines. When their roles are suddenly reversed, the effect is not just visual but psychological too. A big shock to the painter, who suddenly see the world in a different perspective. I would love to learn more about what motivated the choreography. The emotions are so raw in this piece. Is there a real-world experience behind it?
Excerpts from “now now” by Mei Yamanaka Works. Struggles and conflicts define the relationship between the two characters on stage. In the beginning, the two try to pop the (imaginary) balloons tied around each other’s ankles, in a playful but competitive manner. The playfulness turns into judo-like throw downs of each other. Dressed in complementary orange and grey costumes, the two characters engage in activities that increasingly frustrate each other, hurt each other, before calming down and reverting to same pattern over and over again. Yet, they always stick with each other no matter what happens. I guess, in a way, that’s just real-life relationships, isn’t it?
“COR-O2” by Оniin Dance Company and Daniela Rapisarda. This piece has its own distinct stylistic movements that, in all honesty, defy words to describe it. The body isolations and arm movements are so much fun to watch!
Excerpts from “iyouuswe” by Young Soon Kim Dance Company. An abstract piece that cannot be described in words either and, as far as I can tell, does not have a narrative. Yet, there are moments in the choreography where the movements feel so nature and satisfying!!!
The José Limón Dance Company wrapped up the Contemporary Dance festival at Bryant Park tonight.
I saw “The Exiles” twice at the Joyce Theatre earlier this year, but it took me until the second viewing to fully appreciate the piece. I’m so glad to watch it again.
Centered around a couple, the choreography tells the couple’s story in two movements, “The Flight” and “The Remembrance.” At the beginning, the couple walk onto the stage arms around each other’s back, alternating between making brave strides forward and taking tentative but necessary steps to continue their journey. Immigrants arriving in a new land, perhaps? Or maybe refugees who cannot look back? In any case, we follow the couple in this foreign land as they take on new identities, become momentarily euphoric, only to struggle again. Eventually, the couple shed their shells, their exterior pretense, and finally find their true selves. As they across the stage again, their strides are higher, braver, and ever more confident.
Well, that’s how I translated Limón’s language anyways.
The piece is as relevant to my own expat existence in New York City this evening, as it is to the plights of millions back in 1950 when the piece was first created, as it is to millions around the world now. And that, capturing the essence of our lives and our everyday experiences, is what I find to be the magic of José Limón.
Bravos to Mark Willis and Savannah Spratt for the wonderful performance!
“The Exiles”
Choreographer: José Limón
Dancers: Savannah Spratt and Mark Willis of the José Limón Dance Company
Photographer: Jason Chuang
The all-female dance company The Moving Architects performs at Bryant Park Presents Contemporary Dance.
“Demure as Dynamite”
Choreography: Erin Carlisle Norton
Dancers: Caitlin Bailey, Maggie Beutner, Jenny Gram, Léla Groom, Ashley Peters of The Moving Architects
Photographer: Jason Chuang
Second in the program, Black Boys Dance Too performed at the Contemporary Dance festival at Bryant Park tonight.
They braved and danced in the rain last year. Thankfully the sky cleared this afternoon just in time for us to see those gorgeous young men going full out on stage today.
“Blocked”
Choreographer: Terk Lewis
Dancers: Black Boys Dance Too
Photographer: Jason Chuang
Youngsters from the Harlem School of the Arts opened the Contemporary Dance festival tonight at Bryant Park.
Energetic and cheerful, these kids remind us why we are here: Because we just loooove to dance!
“Sweet’s Sweet Suite”
Choreographers: Aubrey Lynch II, Leyland Simmons
Dancers: Harlem School of the Arts Dance Ensembles and Junior Dance Ensembles
Photographer: Jason Chuang
My second evening of Tchaikovsky Spectacular with American Ballet Theatre! Tonight’s program features eight principals and four soloists in excerpts from four ballets.
I was floored by Alexei Ratmansky’s “Souvenir d’un lieu cher” (Memory of a dear place). What a beautiful choreography. What an emotional story about the intertwined lives of two pairs of lovers. What a perfect cast to deliver the dance.
Stella Abrera is gorgeous in her turns and leaps, but was even more stunning playing her sentimental and slightly temperamental character whose past (Alban) crossed into her present (Marcelo). Likewise, Marcelo Gomes and Alban Lendorf are absolutely amazing technically, but delivered even more amazing theatre tonight. Sarah Lane was wonderful as the jovial and perhaps innocent girl opposite Stella.
The chemistry among the cast is incredible. My favorite moment is when Alban kissed Sarah. Stella reacted with a sense of shock, denial, sadness… before she dashed off stage. Marcelo stood by the wings of the theater… just watching Stella, loving her, but knowing there is nothing he could do. Wow!!! ❤️❤️❤️
My other favorite of the night is AfterEffect by ABT’s very own Marcelo Gomes. The piece starts with a rare ensemble of 13 male dancers. The scene is beautifully choreographed and generously showcases the men’s movements. I love the large formations, some numbering 24+ dancers. I also love how Marcelo uses the crowd to draw attention to the soloists. Highlights include Cassandra Trenary flying high from above to kiss Cory Stearns below amongst a sea of dancers. Congrats on the Met Opera House premier!!
Finally, love James Whiteside‘s explosiveness and Misty Copeland‘s musicality and playfulness in The Nutcracker’s Act II Pas de Deux.
Star spotting tonight at the Met Opera!
The final week of American Ballet Theatre season is the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Tonight’s program features excerpts from four ballets… or put differently, a chance to see six principals and five soloists on stage in a single night (and that’s just the top billed artists).
Two of my favorite stars, Gillian Murphy and James Whiteside, duetted in a fun Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. As the tempo picked up, the aerials only got faster and higher, cultivating in Gillian leaping into two gorgeous fish dives and an overhead lift by James to end the piece. Bravos! Thank you for the treat!!! 🔥😍😘
Cassie Trenary was lovely as Princess Aurora in Aurora’s Wedding. Sadly, Herman Cornejo was injured and unable to perform as Prince Désiré.
Costuming for the wedding is absolutely stunning. Love Alexandra Basmagy‘s dress as the Queen (and her beautiful performance earlier in the night in Mozartiana alongside Catherine Hurlin). My favorite step of all times is the mazurka, and so naturally I adored ensemble of mazurka dancers.
We got a preview of the White Cat on instagram during intermission by Elina Miettinen, who came out as the purrrfect sassy kitten. Don’t mess with this one. Meow! 😻
At the Jellicle Ball with the Jellicle Cats: Memory, happiness, and lots of fabulous dancing.
I’m quite certain I’ll be hearing “memory” in my head for the rest of week. Grizabella (Mamie Parris) sends shivers down my spine with her gorgeous voice.
Asparagus (Christopher Gurr) gives an amazing performance from his initially stuttering as an aged theatre cat, to reliving his former glory as East Lynne, Firefrorefiddle, and Growltiger. Wow!
Loooooove Jellylorum (Sarah Jane Shanks) for her heartfelt introduction of Asparagus. Her every gesture, every facial expression, every glance is filled with care and admiration for Gus. Sitting in the audience, we learn to respect Gus because of Jellylorum, before Gus even utters his first word. I can’t think of a better way to open the scene. Bravo!!!
Kudos to Sillabub (Jessica Cohen) for her moments of happiness, for her beautiful movements, and for her lovely voice in memory. You are my favorite cat of the night! ❤️❤️❤️
I also love the chemistry between Mungojerrie (Zachary Daniel Jones) and Rumpelteazer (Haley Fish). If I ever get robbed by a cat, I hope I am robbed by you. At least I’ll be well entertained.
Best dancers go to Mister Mistoffelees (Corey John Snide) and Victoria (Claire Rathbun), though every cat is dazzling tonight. This is such a musical for dancers. Great job, everyone! 😍
Throwback to my galop days!
Performing the Triplet Galop Quadrille at Rocca Albornoziana in Spoleto, Italy. I had a lovely evening dancing, dining, and then dancing more at this magnificent 14th century castle until the wee hours.
This quadrille is reconstructed and choreographed by Richard Powers to reflect the original galop as danced in London in the 1850s.
The Prague Vintage Dance Week started this weekend, and I sadly have to miss the event this year. Here’s to an amazing week of dancing and many wonderful balls for everyone in Prague.
“Triplet Galop Quadrille”
Choreographer: Richard Powers
Dancers: Alums of the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble, Academy of Danse Libre, and Roma 800
Video: Jason Anderson