The Joyce Theater News

The booming applause resounded with meaning last Saturday night, as it practically called out welcome to the club. The dance companies in this club are those well-known few that travel the world and perform at highly regarded dance venues and festivals throughout the nation. It is certainly a sign of success to see the New York debut of a company's work at such a prestigious and well-loved dance venue at The Joyce Theater.

On February 12th 2014 at the Joyce Theater, Royal New Zealand Ballet under the artistic direction of iconic ballet star Ethan Stiefel opened a five-day run that marks the conclusion of the troupe's first U.S. tour in 21 years. Dancegoers in four cities -- Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Minneapolis, and New York -- have had the chance to see the admirable results of Stiefel's vision and hard work with the 61-year-old company since he took the helm in September of 2011 at the age of 38.

The Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center ('the PAC') today announces the establishment of a core team of artistic leaders: David Lan (Artistic Director of London's Young Vic) as Consulting Artistic Director; Lucy Sexton (artist, producer, and Director of the New York Dance & Performance Awards (aka The Bessies)) as Associate Artistic Director; and Andy Hayles, Managing Partner of Charcoalblue (London's National Theatre, Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, and the future home of Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse), as theater design consultant. Stephen Daldry (director of the films The Hours, Billy Elliot, The Reader and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and of Billy Elliot the Musical, and former Artistic Director of London's Gate Theatre and Royal Court Theatre) has joined the PAC's Board of Directors. The artistic team is collaborating with the PAC's staff, board and numerous consultants to create a place that is unique on the cultural landscapes of New York, the United States and the world.

Following hip surgery that took place just one week after the August 14, 2013 premiere of her Restless Creature, Wendy Whelan, in consultation with her doctors, has concluded that her body needs more time to heal and that she must postpone her spring 2014 (March 16 – April 11) inaugural U.S. tour of the work. Rescheduled dates will be announced at a later time. See below for a list of postponed engagements. The UK premiere, presented by The Royal Opera House, will take place at the Linbury Studio Theatre in London as scheduled (July 22–26).

Three world premieres by Maurice Causey, Charles Moulton and Artistic Director Charles Anderson headline the spring program of Company C Contemporary Ballet April 25-May 11 at ODC Theater in San Francisco and the Lesher Theater in Walnut Creek. The 12-year-old Company will close its 2014 season with a program featuring the world premiere of a new ballet by Maurice Causey (title to be announced), the world premiere of Charles Moulton's New Country and the world premiere of Charles Anderson's What's Behind Door #3 along with reprises of excerpts from Anderson'sAposiopesis and excerpts from Patrick Corbin's Partly Cloudy. [Editor note: the program has changed since originally announced in August, 2013]. Complete program details are listed below. For more information, visit www.companycballet.org .

Pam Tanowitz Dance makes its long awaited Joyce Theater debut from tonight, February 4 - 6. Presented by The Joyce Theater Foundation, this engagement will include a program of two new works by Tanowitz, a choreographer known for creating work that juxtaposes ballet with classic modern dance. The pieces, both world premieres, will feature live accompaniment.

Compared to well-known, energetic and highly creative dance companies such as Pilobolus, MOMIX and Cirque de Soleil, Brian Sanders' JUNK DANCE COMPANY is taking the dance world by storm. The company comes to Lancaster tonight, February 1 at 7:30 PM at the Winter Center, 60 Cottage Avenue on the Millersville University campus in Millersville.

Ballet NY presents its 2014 Season, including In the Garden of Souls, the company premieres of Kinderszenen, Dreams, and excerpts from Urban Study, from April 15-17, 2014 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street, NYC (at Ninth Avenue). All performances are at 7:30pm. Tickets are $26 ($16 for students and seniors) and are available at www.smarttix.com or by phone at 212-868-4444.

The Harkness Foundation for Dance announced the retirement of its beloved long-time Executive Director, Theodore S. Bartwink as of January 31, 2014. Mr. Bartwink, 85 years old, is continuing physical therapy and rehabilitation from the grievous injuries suffered when run ­down by a car near his home in Kew Gardens, Queens, NY in February 2013.

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. will present a three week showcase of Brazilian dance from February 26 - March 16. Three Brazilian-based companies will be making their Joyce Theater debuts during the festival: Mimulus Companhia de Danca (Belo Horizonte) from February 24-March 1; Companhia Urbana de Danca (Rio de Janeiro) from March 3-6, a co-presentation with 651 ARTS; and Focus Cia de Danca (Rio de Janeiro) from March 8-10. These acclaimed companies will be joined by audience favorite DanceBrazil, closing out the festival from March 12-16. Tickets for all companies range in price from $10 to $49 ($26 to $37 for Joyce Members) and can be purchased through JoyceCharge at www.Joyce.org, or by calling 212-242-0800. Please note: ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, in Chelsea.

Compared to well-known, energetic and highly creative dance companies such as Pilobolus, MOMIX and Cirque de Soleil, Brian Sanders' JUNK DANCE COMPANY is taking the dance world by storm. The company comes to Lancaster Saturday, February 1 at 7:30 PM at the Winter Center, 60 Cottage Avenue on the Millersville University campus in Millersville.

On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, Michele Wiles presented the second evening of performances of her new company, Ballet Next, at NYLA.

Ballet Hispanico, recognized as the nation's leading Latino dance organization since 1970, presents the latest installment of its choreographic institute, Instituto Coreografico, to be held January 21-29, 2014 at the company's headquarters at 167 W. 89th Street, NYC.

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. will present the New York debut of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, performing a mixed bill of three works, from February 12-16. Under the artistic direction of former New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theater principal dancer Ethan Stiefel, the company will present pieces by Benjamin Millepied, Javier De Frutos and Andrew Simmons. Tickets are $10-$75 (Joyce Members $26; $44) and can be purchased through JoyceCharge at www.Joyce.org or by calling 212.242.0800. Please note: ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, in Chelsea.

Winterdances...Past Moving Forward is set for UWM Peck School of the Arts, today, January 23-26, 2014, running at 7:30pm Thurs-Sat; 2pm Sun in the Mainstage Theater, 2400 E. Kenwood Blvd.

Jessica Lang Dance, under the artistic direction and vision of acclaimed choreographer Jessica Lang, will play a week-long engagement at The Joyce Theater from February 19-23. The company's first full season at The Joyce will feature a program that includes three New York premieres, collaborations with artist Shinichi Maruyama and other company repertory. Tickets, priced from $10 - $39 ($19 - $29 for Joyce members), can be purchased by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or via the internet at www.joyce.org. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue (@ 19th street) in Chelsea.

Parsons Dance, one of the nation's most popular and acclaimed modern dance companies, will honor three legends of the dance world -- Paul Taylor, David Parsons and Robert Battle -- at its gala tonight, January 14 at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street). The event, a celebration of the company's 30th Anniversary Season, will include a performance at The Joyce, followed by dinner, dancing and a live auction at the nearby Chelsea home of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, 547 West 26th Street (transportation will be provided). For tickets and additional information, please visit http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=6830 or call (212) 869-9275.

COCA presents the next installment of its new performance series COCA Presents 2013-2014, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, this weekend, January 11-12, 2014, in COCA's Founders' Theatre.