“DoublePlus”-Various Artists
Gibney
December 5-7
The series brings in veteran artists to curate split-bill evenings over three weekends.  Dana Davenport + Samita Sinha, curated by Alexis Convento (December 5–7); Alexander Diaz + Jennifer Harrison Newman, curated by Charmaine Warren (December 12–14); and Laurel Atwell + Hyung Seok Jeon, curated by Tei Blow (December 19–21).  Find out more here
 
Dormeshia, Derick K. Grant, Jason Samuels Smith and Camille A. Brown
The Joyce Theater
December 3–8
Tap dancers Dormeshia, Grant, Samuels Smith and a special guest, performer, choreographer and contemporary dancer Brown join forces for a celebration of tap dance, And Still You Must Swing. This team of tappers and contemporary guest artist promise to honor the heart and legacy of the art form.  Find out more here
 
Tess Dworman
The Chocolate Factory
December 4-7
In Dworman’s A Child Retires, the work “…emboldens artifact and artifice to reference the collapse of my own maturation as an artist. The work includes my mom’s old t-shirt (costume), a tote bag (prop), and a soundtrack of the Beach Boys rehearsing Good Vibrations,” according to the release.  Find out more here
 
Kyle Marshall Choreography
December 4-7
BAM/Fisher
For this BAM debut, Marshall and his company brings Colored (2017) and the world premiere of A.D., as part of Next Wave 2019—the first season by artistic director David Binder.  Marshall has been investigating race and religion and in Colored he “…navigates the twisted spectrum of blackness that dancers Oluwadamilare Ayorinde, Myssi Robinson, and Marshall regularly embody. [Further] As three black dancers from varied backgrounds, their work together in the studio led to conversations on tokenism, appropriation, stereotype, and representation.”  And in the newer work, A.D., where dancers Bria Bacon and Miriam Gabriel are added to the cast, Marshall and Company delved into “…conversations surrounding Christianity and its influence on the body,” according to the release.  Find out more here

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
New York City Center
December 4-January 5
Under artistic director Robert Battle, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns for their annual New York City Center five week season.  Included on this season’s program are world premieres: Greenwood by Donald Byrd and Ode by Ailey dancer and newly announced Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts; company premieres of BUSK by Aszure Barton and City of Rain by Camille A. Brown; new productions of Divining (1984) by Judith Jamison and Fandango (1995) Lar Lubovitch; plus repertory favorites including Ailey’s Memoria and Revelations. Find out more here

George Emilio Sanchez
Abrons Arts Center
December 5-6
After successful runs since 2017, Sanchez’s Bang, Bang, Gun Amok, a 24-hour performance marathon that addresses how gun culture is embedded in the history of the United States, is back at Abrons Arts Center and will again feature a large cast of artists, survivors of gun violence, activists, and scholars who have come together through music, dance, theater and more.  Find out more here

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
New York Live Arts
December 5-7
Under artistic director Nai-Ni Chen, the Company brings the retrospective production “CrossCurrent,” and will showcase Chen's Callligraphy II, Whirlwind, Breaking News and Bamboo Rap. Find out more here

'newsteps'
Chen Dance Center
December 5-7
For this year’s newsteps choreographer’s series, the young dancemakers featured are: Alice Halter, Caitlin Javech, Susanne McHugh, Jessica Alexander & Madison Doyle, Catherine Eng, and Amanda Spilinga. Find out more here

BAX "Space Grant Showcase" - Various Artists
BAX
December 6-7
The 2019 "Space Grant Showcase" will feature Catie Leasca, Kayla Farrish and Ogemdi Ude.  Find out more here

The Construction Company & The Performance Project
Speyer Hall at University Settlement
December 6-7
Both companies will present new works by Alan Good, Kenneth King and Sally Silvers and more.  Find out more here

Mocow Ballet
Kings Theatre
December 7
For two performances on one-day- only, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker comes to Brooklyn as part of their 140 U.S. tour.  Find out more here

Leonardo Sandoval
Clark Studio Theater
December 7-8
Brazilian tap dancer and musician Leonardo Sandoval performs as part of Lincoln Center Kids series “Music from the Sole” melding tap with big-band. Find out more here

"Sundays on Broadway" - Various Artists
537 Broadway
December 8
As part of Cathy Weis’ “Sundays on Broadway” series, this one curated by Weis, will feature Jon Kinzel, Jimena Paz, Vicky Shick on a shared evening.  Find out more here

My December 2019 AmNews Calendar

Featured:
Kyle Marshall Choreography
December 4-7
BAM/Fisher & video

Anne Bogart’s SITI Company, Elizabeth Streb’s STREB EXTREME ACTION & playwright Charles Mee @ Peak Performances (September 24-29).

Surprises were happening even at curtain.  During early rehearsals when Elizabeth Streb was away, Anne Bogart presented the dancers with text even though Streb was for it.  And, during the run, in their friendly-taunting, Streb added more “substances” to the set although Bogart didn’t’ really for that.  For the first time ever, Streb and Bogart joined forces after a collective sixty-one years in the business to make FALLING & LOVING.  As is expected for any Streb production, in FALLING & LOVING she designed a monstrous structure, fondly called the “guck machine,” that would serve as a major part of the action. Picture a large sandbox with ledges that frame a big square space, and above, stings connected to tons of buckets that would expel varied substances.  Bogart is from the world of theater and believes in shared partnership of collaboration.  Bogart, Streb and Mee were all in.

Their balance of quirky text and daring dance/movement that seamlessly melds these disparate companies speak for itself. Much like the two bowling balls that’s manipulated and pendulum from side to side with differing speed, the same goes for this powerful show.  Mee’s words come through in the very fast mix of movement and text, and his words cement and balance the forgiving love against the weighted love.  In the midst to this cacophonous 90 minutes, one line goes:  “a person begins to freak out,” and yes, we probably should “get up and run,” but we don’t because FALLING & LOVING is fulfilling and every unpredicted moment deserves our patience.  We never know what words will match what action or vice versa.  Streb’s “guck machine” could expel flour, sugar, water, molasses, confetti, feathers, paint balls, sprinkles, or popcorn.  And, whenever they are prompted, the cast of 12 would breakout in dance number with all systems go; and it’s wild, really wild.  But all does get “resolved.” “I find you give delight to me.” Yes, that’s right, a delight indeed, goes another memorable line.

Members of SITI Company are: Akiko Aizawa, Will Bond, Leon Ingulsrud, Ellen Lauren, Barney O’Hanlon and Stephen Duff Webber
Members of STREB EXTREME ACTION are: Kairis Daniels, Luciany Germán, Chance Hill, Julia Karis, Brigitte Manga and Fabio Tavares.

There's still time to Register for A.I.M's Winter Intensive in
Los Angeles

“I love Los Angeles and its dance community! As a UCLA faculty member and someone who lives in both Los Angeles and New York, I'm excited to have my worlds connect for our Winter Intensive! I hope you can join us for an exciting week filled with dancing, exploration, conversation, fun...and all things A.I.M!" 
- Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director, A.I.M


A.I.M’s Winter Intensive, hosted by UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance, includes: creative process, technique, repertory, professional development opportunities, plus a private showing of A.I.M's newest work.

December 15 - 20, 2019
10am-5pm daily 
Los Angeles, California

$650 full price
$500 for UCLA students
(with UCLA Bruin card - limited discounts available)
Payment plans available!

REGISTER HERE