Category: Modern Dance

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Wave Rising Series

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!!!

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The Exiles by José Limón

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

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Black Boys Dance Too

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

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The Art of Isadora

Congratulations to Isadora Duncan Dance Company for a wonderful performance and a sold-out house at the Joyce Theater tonight.

Two years ago, when I first arrived in New York City, I received my very first dance class from former Duncan Dance company member Morgana Mellett. I loved the naturalness of the Duncan movements, the connection to the body, and the music. Morgana encouraged me to sign up for their week-long summer workshop, which I did and then repeated again for a second week.

Looking back, I couldn’t have wished for a better start to my dance experience in New York City. Duncan merged so many of my favorite dance elements. Vintage steps such as the mazurka, the gallop, and the polka. The influence of ballet. The emphasis on natural movements and expressiveness, which I enjoy so much in contemporary lyrical.

Seeing Duncan Dance on stage tonight at the Joyce Theater, in a way, is completing the circle for me. To see where it all began. To understand how I fell in love. To re-live the wonderful experiences that inspired me then… and still captivate me now.

Emily D’Angelo: I’ve seen you beautifully dance Greeting, Lullabye, and Flames of the Heart before, but you were more loving and more fierce tonight than ever. Bravos!

Nikki Poulos: You’ve grown so much! Love the way you opened the Furies.

Faith Kimberling: Love your musicality!

Hayley Brasher: I’ve mostly heard about you from others, except for the brief moment seeing you outside the theater tonight. Love your energy and radiance. Great job!

Of course, guest star Sara Mearns of NYCB Ballet is absolutely beautiful, and Lori Belilove as always, is full of the true Duncan spirit. Thank you for the incredible show and a wonderful evening!

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Alvin Ailey: Global Voices

Second night and a new program, Global Voices, with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Lincoln Center tonight.

The enduring qualities of “Revelations” finally came out as I watch the piece a second time. I grew up and am still irreligious, and so gospel is a foreign concept to me. I do like the colors, the movements, and stage construction in the water/river scene, as well as the dynamism throughout the final “Move Members, Move” section.

“Walking Mad” is a strange juxtaposition with a comedy beginning, a fascinating site-specific dance set to marching music in the middle, and a tense duet at the end. The middle section involves a wall that doubles as a dance floor (when tilted), as a room (when folded into two walls to form a confined space), and as secret passage ways (when dancers go through the hidden wall openings). I like the first two sections individually but as a whole the work felt incoherent. Then again, I just saw Merce Cunningham last night, and so I should be open to experimentation.

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Beautiful performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Lincoln Center tonight.

My first time seeing Alvin Ailey live. Could you believe that after all the classes at the Alvin Ailey Extension?

My favorite of the night goes to “Mass”. Am awed by the way the dancers gracefully glide across the dance floor. Their fluid motions and elasticity. Not just in individual dancer’s movements, but the whole group respond together and to each other so beautifully. Finally, when the drum kicks in (there’s a live band on stage), everything goes into high gear. Gracefulness turns into precision and energy. Just incredible!

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Rioult Dance

Saw the two sides of Rioult Dance NY at the Joyce Theater tonight.

First, one of Pascal Rioult’s first work as he formed his company. Second, a new world premier built on rock music.

My favorite part of the night is actually the curtain chat. Really enjoyed watching the friendly collegial interactions between Pascal and the three dancers who’ve danced with him for 10-18 years. Also unforgettable is sitting behind the rows of teens cheering on the company. It’s wonderful to see a well-run organization where dancers stay, collaborate, and grow together… and one that is deeply committed to and connected to its community. Well done, Rioult Dance!

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More of Parsons Dance

Returned tonight to see the amazing Parsons Dance at the Joyce Theater for a second time this week.

Finally a female dancer starring in “Caught”! Elena d’Amario is absolutely incredible. Love her lines and her extensions. Thank you for showing us not just how to fly… but how to fly so elegantly. If I may say so, it’s the best run of “Caught” that I’ve seen so far.

Absolutely love Ian Spring and Elena d’Amario in “Finding Center”. Beautiful emotional connection and powerful physical connection fused into a single duet. You two are gorgeous!

Feeling emotional after seeing Omar Roman De Jesus‘s “Daniel” again and knowing the story behind the creation. I wish I knew what the hand signals (sign language) mean during the tap portion of the choreo though.

Also, feeling so happy just watching all the dancers move in “Swing Shift”. I would go back anytime to see this piece again.