Fadi Khoury's FJK DANCE Set for New York Live Arts, 4/6-9

Fadi J. Khoury, the Iraqi-born Artistic Director of FJK Dance, will return to New York Live Arts April 6 through April 9 with his company of ten dancers in new and repertory works combining a variety of dance mediums in a rare choreographic fusion.

FJK's "Season 2016" will feature the premiere of REFLECTIONS and TAKE TWO, two new works that highlight the fusion of ballroom dance with classical ballet and jazz. FJK's HOME and DUM TAK, two works that premiered at New York Live Arts in July 2015, will also be included in the program.

FJK Dance is a fusion troupe blending ballet, tango and ballroom dance with Middle Eastern folkloric dance forms. While Middle Eastern influences are strong, the choreography exhibits a distinctive mix of styles. The company uses music ranging from classical, Latin tango and jazz to contemporary Middle Eastern.

FULL PROGRAM: (All four choreographic works will be performed each evening.)

Take Two (Premiere), is a new work inspired by Ballroom elegance and glamour. Besides displaying the sophisticated movement of Ballroom, this new piece quivers with unexpected contrasts and a hint of mystery. It breaks the rules of Ballroom, and introduces theatricality - real drama - though a play of conspiring characters. It exposes the mystery that lays within us all, and that ultimately, paradoxically, brings us together. Choreographed by Fadi J. Khoury. Music by Benny Goodman, John Klemer and Dave Brubeck.

Reflections (Premiere) A new collaborative work combining projection designs by Calvin Anderson and music by Peter Michael von der Nahmer. The project was inspired by the visual impact of art works capturing the energy and intensity of the reflection of light through water currents. The vibration in those images imparts a dramatic human truth: we can be gorgeous, but also restless and evanescent. We participate in phenomena shared by light, water, humanity, and dance. As humans and dancers we embody ideas of balance, unity, and the duality of observer and observed. Choreographed by Fadi J. Khoury.

Home - choreographed to a selection of Frédéric Chopin compositions, Home is a ballet reflecting resilience in the face of war, hope, and an abiding belief in trust. A work for ten dancers, Home represents Fadi Khoury's childhood aspirations in Iraq; it manifests a dream. The score includes Chopin's Adante Spianato G-major; Nocturne in C-sharp minor; Étude Allegro sostenuto; and Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor. The work also includes a partial score composed by Peter Michael von der Nahmer, based on Chopin. It is a musical fusion of cultures. Video

Dum Tak - dancers perform in pointe shoes, Latin heels and bare feet in a blend of ballet and Latin salsa, evoking peace, love and harmony. A composition of Tabla (Middle Eastern Drum) playing Latin salsa by Matias Hazroum, from the Arabic percussion album of Mrio Kirlis, along with an original Rumba composition played by Johnny Farraj with the Arabic Riq. Additional score composed by Houssam Ramzy. Video

FJK Dance connects Argentinean tango, Middle Eastern movement, classical ballet and ballroom dance in a brilliant contemporary dance setting. A diverse and versatile group of ten dancers-five male and five female-create dramatic and passionate partnerships, moving always as in a pair.

"At FJK Dance, we believe in the unique fusion of culture and dance. The endless possibilities of experimenting with the fundamentals of various forms of dance, from classical ballet to ballroom, from Middle Eastern to jazz--we combine the essentials of each to create our own language. One that uses abstract body lines, forms and energy to communicate with our audience." - Fadi J. Khoury