For this season at The Joyce, in two programs, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company delivered timeless works, stellar dancing and a really nice surprise– Matthew Rushing joined the company! Highly contrasted, but paired nonetheless on one program was Walking Out the Dark(2001) a somber, yet spiritually provoking journey where four dancers (2/16 –Arcell Cabaug, Otis Donovan Herring, Annique Roberts, Clarice Young, joined by Brown) dug very deep into their core to deliver Brown’s signature blend of traditional African and modern movement. Moving in and out from four corners, each held their own with the many polyphonous solos—darting, pausing, recoiling, falling into the floor, balancing, kneading their bodies —that framed the work. The always lively Upside Down (1998) followed. Ahh…even before the work begins, we are reminded of the days when Brown first introduced dance audiences to musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Kudos to Donovan for that famous diagonal cross from upstage right to downstage left! Upside Down never fails to deliver. Brown’s striking unison movement, juxtaposed with music by Bob Marley and Kronos Quartet in Order
My Steps (2005) was lovely. Another soul-searching work that never fails is Incidents (1998). A searing women’s piece, Incidents begins with Roberts far stage left, with Shayla Caldwell, Maresa D’Amore-Morrison, Coral Dolphin and Clarice Young clumped center stage comforting each other. Soon, these fabulous women traverse the stage running, walking (heel first or tip toe), wrapped close in their voluminous dresses; gather in circles as if confirming their inseparability. So loud are the moments when one would stand, chest high, head way back and arms fallen to the sides. A first for me was seeing and excerpt of Ife/My Heart (2005) by someone other than Brown. Rushing, an elegant being, captured Brown’s style with ease in Ife/My Heart. The new work, Torch showcased Roberts and Brown in a delightful play on generations as he danced alongside her. From the memorable clump in the beginning, Roberts was held high above the others, to the many entrance and exits, this was yet another show of stellar dancing.
My Steps (2005) was lovely. Another soul-searching work that never fails is Incidents (1998). A searing women’s piece, Incidents begins with Roberts far stage left, with Shayla Caldwell, Maresa D’Amore-Morrison, Coral Dolphin and Clarice Young clumped center stage comforting each other. Soon, these fabulous women traverse the stage running, walking (heel first or tip toe), wrapped close in their voluminous dresses; gather in circles as if confirming their inseparability. So loud are the moments when one would stand, chest high, head way back and arms fallen to the sides. A first for me was seeing and excerpt of Ife/My Heart (2005) by someone other than Brown. Rushing, an elegant being, captured Brown’s style with ease in Ife/My Heart. The new work, Torch showcased Roberts and Brown in a delightful play on generations as he danced alongside her. From the memorable clump in the beginning, Roberts was held high above the others, to the many entrance and exits, this was yet another show of stellar dancing.
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