Category: DANCE

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“You” by Kristin Sudeikis

New York Moves (9/20)

Hurricane benefit concert at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

No photograph can do justice to this gorgeous solo choreographed by Kristin Sudeikis and danced by Nicole Morris.

Dynamic and full of energy. This piece is both graceful and technical — filled with leaps, extensions, turns, twirls, and swift movements. Except for a brief moment when Nicole kneels on the floor, this dance never stops and the tempo continues to accelerate until Nicole becomes a flurry. A free spirit. Moving in whichever direction her heart desires.

“You”
Choreographer: Kristin Sudeikis
Dancer: Nicole Ashley Morris
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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“and we begin (again)” by Emily Bufferd

New York Moves (8/20)

Hurricane benefit concert at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

A beautiful, graceful, and flowing choregraophy by Emily Bufferd. It’s wonderful to finally experience Emily‘s (choreographic) work after seeing so much of her teaching and other efforts to cultivate dancers and choreographers!

“and we begin (again)”
Choreographer: Emily Bufferd
Dancers: Stephanie Castner, Hilary Harrison, Louisa Pancoast, Brianna Roland
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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Arch Dance Company

New York Moves (7/20)

Hurricane benefit concert at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

I enjoyed both the movements and the message of this beautiful work by Jennifer Archibald. Throughout this piece, the dancers moved both individually and as a group — sometimes in sync, mostly collaboratively, but at times in tension — as the background narrative asks them (and asks the audience) what it means, what it takes to be an artist.

Arch Dance Company
Artistic Director: Jennifer Archibald
Dancers: Yvonne Hernandez, Misuzu Hara, Mei Yamanaka, Nikki Ervice
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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“Days of the Open Hand” by Shelly Hutchinson

New York Moves (6/20)

Dancers in NYC came together for a hurricane benefit concert at Peridance Capezio Center on Sunday, organized by Shelly Hutchinson to aid Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas.

Here is “Days of the Open Hand” by Shelly‘s own Hutchinson Collaborative. I love various aspects of this choreography which I’ve seen multiple times (and written about previously).

As a photographer, though, I always imagined the most photogenic moment of this piece would be when Lauren Wolter leaps over Brad Walton at the back of the stage. Thank you Lauren for your gorgeous lines (and Brad, Rachel, Niki) and making this photo happen!

“Days of the Open Hand”
Choreographer: Shelly Hutchinson
Dancers: Ellie Sanna, Niki Kapanka, Rachel Baird, Brad Walton, Lauren Wolter, Kate Kenyon
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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“Giving In” by K.C. Castellano

New York Moves (5/20)

Hurricane benefit concert yesterday at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

I love this second choreography by K.C. Castellano. A story told via dance theatre, this piece is dark, intense, and filled with conflicts. Despite its sinister theme, this choreography is an explosion of energy and emotions. Clashes and struggles were acted out grand jetés, waltz steps, jumps, turns, and lifts. A quick costume change and a rose added unexpected twists to the narrative.

Many kudos to the dancers for the amazing theatrical presentation, stunning techniques, and giving this story all the ferocity it deserves.

“Giving In”
Choreographer: KC Castellano
Dancers: Raquella Fisher, Mia Fisher, Breanna Phillips, Victoria Pissaro, Lola Boguklavsky, Kristen Guarino, Erica Lantsberg
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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“Waving Through a Window” by K.C. Castellano

New York Moves (4/20)

Hurricane benefit concert yesterday at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

What a wonderful treat to see K.C. Castellano‘s dancers pouring their hearts out in “Waving Through a Window” with so much energy, confidence, and determination (to the theme song from Dear Evan Hansens of the same title).

“Waving Through a Window”
Choreographer: KC Castellano
Dancers: Kali Aiosa, Cheyenne Baker, Marisa D’Amico, Amanda Hagan, Brianna Hentschel, Shannon Johnson, Catie Meyer, Gabrielle Meyer, Abbey Quagliana, Jolie Schaub, Jillian Schear, Emma Schneider, Kelsey Shalongo, Kristen Weiss, Kristina Zajac
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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“Counterpart” by Mike Esperanza

New York Moves (3/20)

Some of the wonderful performances from the hurricane benefit concert yesterday at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

In “Counterpart” choreographed by Mike Esperanza, dancers Sam Assemany and Nikki Wood were physically separated… but joined and constrained in the head. Here is my favorite moment in the piece, when they reached out with their fingers and connected for the first time.

“Counterpart”
Choreographer: Mike Esperanza in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Sam Assemany and Nikki Wood
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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“What We May Become” by Trace Stanfield

New York Moves (2/20)

Some of the wonderful performances from the hurricane benefit concert yesterday at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

I love Tracie Stanfield‘s contemporary lyrical styles and naturally love this emotional, dynamic, yet graceful choreography by her company, SynthesisDANCE.

“What We May Become”
Choreographer: Tracie Stanfield
Dancers: Justine Ayala, Lauren Bernard, Gaby Blaney, Lexie Childers, Lee Katherine Fink, Kate Kenyon, Heidi Sutherland
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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“Mucha” by Breton Tyner-Bryan

New York Moves (1/20)

Dancers in NYC came together yesterday to help raise relief funds for Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.

Here are some of the wonderful performances from the hurricane benefit concert at Peridance Capezio Center organized by Shelly Hutchinson.

The shows opened with the premiere of “Mucha” choreographed by Breton Tyner-Bryan. A high-energy Latin fusion. Dancers entered the stage leaping with a full turn in the air and never stopped for a moment.

“Mucha”
Choreographer: Breton Tyner-Bryan (excerpt from Breton Follies created in residence at Ballet Hispanico Spring 2017)
Dancers: Breton Tyner-Bryan, Mary-Angela Granberry, Jenny Winton, Abdiel Jacobson (7pm show), Ahren Victory (3pm show)
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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Pina Bausch at BAM

WOW!!!

New York Times describes Pina Bausch as having the reputation of being “a creator of life-changing experiences” back in 1984 when she made her New York debut.

More than thirty years later, it still is a most life-changing experience to see “Café Müller” and “The Rite of Spring” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

I discovered a whole new meaning of the phrase “dance theatre” and learnt whole new ways dance could be constructed, layered, and shaped — into gorgeous beautiful visuals, raw emotions, and mesmerizing experiences.