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 Ayodele Casel Photo; Michael Higgins Some thoughts on "Fall For Dance" for AmNews
History came to life at Peak Performances (October 6 – 9) when Deborah Hay, a founding member of the spicy, postmodern, Judson Dance Theater of the 60s put her hands on the contemporary Cullberg Ballet, founded in 1967, and made Figure a Sea (2015). For its American premiere, the tenor of the evening was already set when as we enter, bodies were quietly moving on the bare stage. Framed by bare walls on both sides, and illuminated by the white floor which ran down the back wall and then the length of the stage, Hay’s 60 minutes of meditative movement conversations covered all usable space including those really close to the edges and corners of the stage, near the audience. There were many lovely moments that sometimes seemed improvised but soon proved to be carefully designed. In one instance, an infectious hopping on the ball of one foot by one dancer was soon picked up by the others, one-by-one, until all of them were moving around the space with the same movement. There was also the jerky-jointed sequence that led to the floor (some Swedish was thrown in here), and then there were intimate two-person hugs connecting those near or far that magically changed Hay’s collage of bodies. The 20 dancers from the Cullberg Ballet were breathtaking, Laurie Anderson’s “music” was seamless and Hay's blend of then and now was perfect - what a combination.
For one of the many events/performances dedicated “…to all those living with HIV who teach us to live with grace, creativity, and courage…” Archie Burnett and members of the House of Ninja celebrated the late Willi Ninja (October 14). Film clips from Sally Sommer’s “Check Your Body At The Door,” Malcolm McClaren’s “Deep in Vogue,” Diane Martel’s “House of Tres,” and Jennie Livingston’s “Paris is Burning” introduced the very expressive and deeply devoted Ninja to those who don’t know him, then the dancing cemented his legacy. After Burnett told stories of his special friendship with Ninja, and shared the story of the House of Ninja, he and the members, in Asian-inspired costumes danced out their take on what the “…House would look like…” through hip hop, house, voguing and so much more! Willi and the House of Ninja lives on!
Savion Glover is a tap dance genius, and like others in the tap dance world, at all times, he is sure to honor those that came before him. Fittingly, in his solo Chronology of a Hoofer at NJPAC (October 8), he was flanked by photos of tap greats: Lon Chaney, Chuck Green, Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slyde, Sammy Davis jr. and Steve Condos, for whom, throughout the evening, he told story after story on how each impacted his career. Like his mentors, Glover pays it forward and supports young artists, so, also on stage for his two-hour lecture/performance, were young artists (musicians and others) who he recently mentored in their own production. When Glover does dance, he is intoxicating, he can do no wrong. He goes into a trance-like, litany of sound, and though it would be good to close your eyes and just listen, you dare not because watching him dance is satisfying. Sadly, still, in the two hours, there were only three chances to experience him dancing, the rest was a lot of talking.
POSITION: Assistant Professor - Traditional African and Contemporary African Dance - Brockport10/26/2016 The College at Brockport is seeking an Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track Traditional African and Contemporary African Dance Instructor.For the complete job description listing, please visit www.brockportrecruit.org to submit your cover letter, CV, statement of teaching philosophy (including a link to a 30 minute audio/visual presentation of your teaching ability), research proposal, writing sample (creative research or literary publication), and 3 professional references. All positions subject to final budgetary approval. Application materials will be accepted until November 4, 2016.
The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer The application deadline is 11/4/16 |
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AuthorI am a performer, historian, consultant and dance writer. I am a Empire State College's online program Center for Distance Learning. I am also a former faculty member at The Ailey School and the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University dance major program, Hunter College, Sarah Lawrence College (Guest), Kean University and The Joffrey Ballet School's Jazz and Contemporary Trainee Program. I write on dance for The Amsterdam News, Dance Magazine and various publications. Click below to read more about me at my home page - "About Me." |
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