Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and SITI Company CelebrateStravinsky's The Rite of Spring, 2/8 & 9

By: Jan. 18, 2013
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The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and Siti Company bring together the beauty and power of dance and theatre in their presentation of A Rite on February 8 and 9 at 8 pm in the Clarice Smith Performing Art Center's Kay Theatre. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, this original work explores the impact of Stravinsky's revolutionary piece and creates a rite for the modern world.

Join the artists for a Talk Back after the February 8 performance.

About A Rite
When Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring debuted in Paris in 1913, with choreography by Vaslav Nijinksy, it caused quite a disturbance among its audience. As Anne Bogart, Siti Company's artistic director told the Times Union, "The people were so upset by the music and the choreography that they started screaming and shouting insults, and a riot ensued....Not six months later, the music was being recognized as one of the greatest pieces of modern music ever."

To honor the centennial of Stravinsky's controversial work, choreographer Bill T. Jones and Anne Bogart collaborated on their piece that explores The Rite of Spring and the reactions it stirs. A Rite plunges deep into Stravinksy's complex rhythms through both movement and acting. The dancers from the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company seamlessly transition into actors while the SITI actors shift into powerful dancers. They create a piece that not only pays homage to its inspiration but also deals with the complexities and paradoxes of the modern world.

About Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
Over the past 30 years, the Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Company has shaped the evolution of contemporary dance through the creation and performance of over 140 works. Founded as a multicultural dance company in 1982, the company was born of an 11-year artistic collaboration between Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane. Today, the company is recognized as one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the modern dance world. The company has performed its ever-growing repertoire worldwide in over 200 cities in 30 countries on every major continent. In 2011, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company merged with Dance Theater Workshop to form New York Live Arts, of which Bill T. Jones is the Executive Artistic Director.

About Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane
One of the world's leading choreographers, Bill T. Jones is the artistic director, co-founder and choreographer for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Mr. Jones choreographed and performed worldwide with his late partner, Arnie Zane, before forming the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982. He is the recipient of several honors including the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors; a 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography of the critically acclaimed FELA!; a 2007 Tony Award, 2007 Obie Award and 2006 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation CALLAWAY Award for his choreography for Spring Awakening; the 2010 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award; and the 1994 MacArthur "Genius" Award. In 2000, The Dance Heritage Coalition named Mr. Jones "An Irreplaceable Dance Treasure."



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