This exciting weekend of dance includes three world premieres: Burning Air, a solo by Joanie Smith about the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894; Pat A Cake, which brings the extraordinary Laura Selle Virtucio and Megan McClellan together in a humorous and slap-unhappy duet; and a daring new work by Eddie Oroyan that tests physical limits for himself and fellow company members. The program also features last season's smash hit Bolero, a "thrill ride of a dance" (Star Tribune).
Burning Air is a new company work featuring the work of playwright and Guggenheim Fellow David Greenspan and music by Scott Killian. Joanie Smith, Co-Founder, Artistic Director, and one of City Pages' 2010 Artists of the Year describes the piece as "dreams of running in burning air and being lifted up; huddling in 18" of water, next to wild foxes and deer, hoping the firestorm passes over; fever dreams the day before the Labor Day parade." Known for performing tales of beauty and biting wit with breathtaking physicality and emotional depth, Shapiro & Smith Dance has earned an international reputation for virtuosity, substance and pure abandon. "The dancers of Shapiro & Smith Dance have a fierce beauty and indomitable spirits," said Smith. "It is a joy to work with them."Performances: April 7-10, 2011Videos