Fall for Dance: Day Seven

Finally saw Abraham.In.Motion (and Connie Shiau) perform at the NY City Center. Tonight’s world premier of “Drive” didn’t have (at least to me) the charged political statements or the emotional pains that I had read much about in Kyle Abraham’s work. Artistically, I loved the style, the body language of the dancers, the sharpness of the movements, and the responsiveness to the music. I felt connected to the dancers and the scene — set through lighting, movements, and music — that reflects New York.

Abraham.In.Motion is presenting “Dearest Home” in Purchase on Oct 20-21. Should I go see it???

Also loved Gauthier Dance//Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart’s US premier of “Streams” choreographed by Andonis Foniadakis. Smooth flowing movements with sharp emphases. Like ocean waves approaching a beach. Something is always happening. Something is always building up. You never know what to expect, when the waves would collide, or how the waves would break. The dancers could be going in 13 different directions and, BOOM, they were suddenly in unison creating a big splash on stage. Everything then fades away, and we await the next wave of approaching dancers.

This contemporary-themed evening closed with Ballet BC’s “Bill” choreographed by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar. 16 dancers in nude full body suits with their hair dyed in white. There was nothing to focus on except for the 16 bodies. And boy were they gorgeous! Incredible movement quality from each of the dancers, but it’s the group’s synergy, slight contrasts between the dancers, and interactions that made this piece so mesmorizing.

Finally, saw Sara Mearns in yet another dance genre… learning to hip hop with Honji Wang!

p.s. Had a serendipitous conversation with former MOMIX dancer Taz Loft tonight. Meeting interesting people and fellow dance lovers: That’s why we live in this city! Also, MOMIX!! 😍

Fall for Dance: Day Two

Seeing Michelle Dorrance with my amazing tap dance teacher Tony Mayes!

Miami City Ballet brought out the best of Christopher Wheeldon’s choreography. Love how the dancers defy gravity in Polyphonia.

Trisha Brown’s two dancers are as incredible as yesterday. It’s amazing how they stay so synchronized and connected despite dancing the majority of the choreography facing away from each other.

Still deeply impressed by the creativity and amount of energy in Vincent Mantsoe’s work!

Fall for Dance: Day One

Fall for Dance opened tonight at New York City Center with four amazing performances.

Dorrance Dance was stunning. I love how much life, character, and personality Michelle Dorrance gives to tap dance.

The dark horse of the night goes to Vincent Mantsoe in his solo work “Gula” (or “Bird”) where he brought to life the movements (and singing!!!) of a free-spirited animal. The opening fog was really cool, but I wasn’t sure how it was related to the rest of the performance?

Learnt more about (post-)modern dance with Trisha Brown’s “You Can See Us”! I much enjoyed seeing more of how dance was developed in the 20th century.

With incredible precision and techniques, Miami City Ballet opened tonight’s performance with Christopher Wheeldon’s “Polyphonia.”

“Suite” by Sidra Bell Dance

New York Moves (20/20)

Dancers raised over $7000 to aid those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey in a benefit concert last weekend at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

Last but not least, Sidra Bell Dance put on six solo performances, each one creative and distinctive in its own way. Here is the final solo “velvet chariot.”

“suite”
(1) the essence of sumo
(2) carousel
(3) rooms
(4) lavender
(5) i was their horse
(6) velvet chariot
Choreographer: Sidra Bell Dance New York
Dancers: Sebastian Abarbanell, Tushrik Fredericks, Drew Lewis, Misa Kinno Lucyshyn, Madison Wada, Leal Zielinsk
Photographer: Jason Chuang

“Happenstance” by Bekah Howard

New York Moves (17/20)

Dancers raised over $7000 to aid those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey in a benefit concert last weekend at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

More beautiful performances and wonderful dancers who contributed to the event.

“Happenstance”
Choreographer: Bekah Joy Howard
Dancers: Amanda Blechman, Corey Wright, Marie Trent, Quinn Carpenter, Ryland Marbutt, Sarina Gonzalez, Stephanie Noble, Taylor DeNapoli
Photographer: Jason Chuang

“Byegone” by Hannah Frederick

New York Moves (15/20)

Dancers raised over $7000 to aid those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey in a benefit concert last weekend at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

More beautiful performances and wonderful dancers who contributed to the event.

“Byegone”
Choreographer: Hannah Jane Frederick
Dancers: Alexa Luke, Ana Rutherford, Rae-Ann Thomas, Sophia Hall, Leah Faircloth, Kelly-Ann Lennon, Ellie Sanna, Emily Brown
Photographer: Jason Chuang

“Watercolor Fall” by Rachel Hettinger

New York Moves (14/20)

Dancers raised over $7000 to aid those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey in a benefit concert last weekend at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

More beautiful performances and wonderful dancers who contributed to the event.

“Watercolor Fall”
Choreographer: Rachel M. Hettinger / metaphors&smilesDANCE
Dancers: Michaela Catherine McGowan, Cleo Sykes, Erin Love, Samantha Assemany, Maho Takeshita, Rachel M. Hettinger
Photographer: Jason Chuang