RICHARD DANIELS: TELLING TALES at Danspace Project Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

Richard Daniels -- the 54-year-old dancer/choreographer who began to create a daring, new body of work 10 years ago when he resumed his career in dance after a 15-year absence -- will present his newest concert, RICHARD DANIELS: TELLING TALES for four performances only September 29 to October 2 at Danspace Project (131 E. 10 St.) in Manhattan.

A roster of downtown dance stars -- including Dusan Tynek, Keith Sabado, Regina Larkin, Megan Williams, and Emmanuele Phuon -- join Mr. Daniels in RICHARD DANIELS: TELLING TALES, an evening of solo dance, duets and a quintet, with choreography by Dusan Tynek, Scott Rink and Richard Daniels. As well, Mr. Daniels continues his collaboration with composer/pianist Nurit Tilles, and marks his first-time collaboration with Gerald Busby, the composer whose scores include Paul Taylor's "Runes" and Robert Altman's film "3 Women."

RICHARD DANIELS: TELLING TALES will feature two world premieres: "Apollo & the Muses," the choreographer's re-imagination of the classic, "Apollo", depicting the young Apollo and his older, wiser, more reflective self; along with "Telling Tales", the first installment in an ongoing autobiographical dance diary Mr. Daniels is creating about the wide-ranging effects of having returned to the thing he loved most -- dance -- after a 15-year hiatus.

"Telling Tales" is comprised of four sections: the first section, which looks at the beginning of a relationship, is a duet choreographed by Dusan Tynek, set to Dana Suesse's "Berceuse" and "Afternoon of a Black Faun," and performed by Messrs. Daniels and Tynek. The second section, a solo choreographed and performed by Mr. Daniels, is set to Francis Poulenc's "Theme" and "Three Novelettes," and depicts a day in Mr. Daniels' life. The third section of "Telling Tales," a duet that looks at the final stages of a relationship, is choreographed by Scott Rink, set to Nurit Tilles' original composition "Raw Silk," and is danced by Regina Larkin and Mr. Daniels. The fourth section, with a new commissioned score by Gerald Busby, explores the choreographic device of accumulation. This solo is choreographed and performed by Mr. Daniels.

In the second half of RICHARD DANIELS: TELLING TALES, the choreographer takes a new look at Igor Stravinsky's APOLLO & THE MUSES. The work for five dancers features two Apollos -- one young, one mature -- and depicts the elder Apollo at a time of reflection and creativity in his life. In Mr. Daniels' APOLLO & THE MUSES, the young Apollo transforms into Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, and joins the muses of music, poetry and dance. Dusan Tynek portrays the young Apollo; Keith Sabado portrays the aging Apollo, and Regina Larkin (Euterpe, muse of music), Emmanuele Phuon (Calliope, muse of poetry) and Megan Williams (Terpsichore, muse of dance).

(**For more information about the making of Mr. Daniels' "Apollo & the Muses," visit his website www.justonmec.com)

For Mr. Daniels, the experience of living with HIV has led to a rebirth. These circumstances, which included the loss of his soul mate of 20 years, propelled him to reconnect with dance as an instrument of his healing. After 15 years offstage, he resumed his dance studies at the invitation and generosity of teacher/performer Janie Brendel. Richard Daniels has a background in varied artistic disciplines, which result in original work that explores historical references and various esthetic styles. As well, he has had an extensive career in arts management.

Since his debut as a solo artist at The Day Without Art Remember Project, produced by Dancers Responding to AIDS in December, 1995 at Danspace Project at St. Marks Church, Richard Daniels' repertory has grown to include dances both given and commissioned for him by noted dance artists including Peggy Baker, Molissa Fenley, Christopher Gillis, Zvi Gotheiner, Eleanor King, Barbara Mahler, Scott Rink and Dusan Tynek. His own body of work as a choreographer includes 13 ANNIVERSARIES, WEE HOURS, GHAZI, BONUS ROUND, UNCHARTED and VISTAS with Canadian artist Andre Fairfield, performed variously at The Flea Theatre and Connelly Theater plus appearances at Symphony Space, Soho Joyce, 92nd St Y, The Kitchen, Cunningham Dance Studio, Context, Budding in Bad Times Theater (Toronto) and the Gowanus Arts Exchange.

RICHARD DANIELS: TELLING TALES has costume design by Karen Young and lighting design by Roderick Murray.

RICHARD DANIELS TELLING TALES runs September 29, 30 and October 1, 2 at 8:30pm at Danspace Project (131 East 10th Street, at 2nd Avenue). Tickets are $20. For reservations, call 212-674-8194 or visit www.danspaceproject.org.