Category: Complexions Contemporary Ballet

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Complexions

Complexions Contemporary Ballet was AMAZING at the Joyce Theater last night. What an incredible group of talented dancers with so much artistry and such impeccable techniques.

Star Dust was still the same stunning, energetic, over-the-top, rock-n-roll ballet concert that captured my heart for the past two years. The piece is set to fourteen songs by David Bowie, as a tribute to the singer.

Bach 25, a world premiere, consisted some of the finest and most beautiful ballet movements.

Thanks for a wonderful evening, Complexions. Go see them at the Joyce Theater from now till March 3rd!

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More Star Dust

Just have to see the incredible Complexions Ballet and Star Dust one more time. Thank you, and congrats on a wonderful Joyce season!

Kate, the audience member sitting next to me, summarized the performance perfectly in one sentence: “Wow. That’s the most amazing dance I have EVER seen.”

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Star Dust by Complexions

Star Dust by Complexions Ballet. One of my all-time favorites!!!

Set to chart-topping songs by David Bowie, Star Dust is not just a stunning ballet but an unforgettable rock concert.

The mood of a dazzling and glistening show is set, as soon as the curtain draws open, with the company standing tall as silhouettes against a backdrop of laser lights and disco balls.

I get the goosebumps listening to Brandon Gray sing “Lazarus” accompanied by gorgeous ballet. Energy and excitement build up. Brandon morphs into Andrew Brader in “Change”. Shanna Irwin strolls across the stage, in pointe with poise and attitude, foreshadowing what’s to come in “Space Oddity”. The audience goes wild (every time), when Addison Ector takes center stage in pointe. The beautiful and playful ballet up to this point now turns into powerful commanding movements. Each later song brings its own emotion and character onto stage: youthfulness and spirit in “1984”, humanity and kindness in “Heroes”, dynamism in “Modern Love”. The show always feels way too short, when the company dances their heart out in “Young Americans” to close the performance. Bravos!!!

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Complexions Ballet

​Go and see Complexions Ballet at the Joyce Theater until Sunday November 26th!

Congrats to Eriko Sugimura on debutting as a member of Complexions in New York City.

Complexion’s program for week one includes four premieres by four different choreographers. I especially enjoyed the contemporary piece “Summertime” and its emotional buildup, as choreographed by Dee Daspary and performed by Andrew Brader, Larissa Gerszke, and Youngsil Kim. Shanna Irwin and Addison Ector were beautiful in Ido Tadmor’s “Postponed Conversation”. I also like “Duo” which followed Dwight Rhoden’s beautiful lines and aesthetics of tall and elegant dancers.

Three things I learnt from Wednesday night’s curtain chat.

Desmond Richardson’s biggest piece of advice to dancers: “Dance needs to come from your heart. Have an experience dancing, and we (the audience) will have an experience watching you.”

Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson choreograph for SYTYCD. Contestants on the show have only five hours to learn, rehearse, and put everything together! :O

The official name for the company is “Complexions, a Concept in Dance” and its mission is to “expose society to the beauty of dance and to use dance as a medium to exemplify cultural, racial and aesthetic diversity.”

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Choroegraphers and Cocktails

“Choroegraphers and Cocktails” by the Joyce Theater at Gibney Dance tonight.

Had a wonderful time seeing the many wonderful artists in rehearsal including my favorites Shanna Irwin and Youngsil Kim and new members Eriko Sugimura and Brandon Taylor Gray of Complexions Ballet, reconnecting with swing dancers Kevin Clark and meeting new friends Gaby Cook.

Naturally, the two penguins got a little wild from the euphoria of seeing so much dancing… or maybe they’re just tipsy from the cocktails.