Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company Comes To Alvin Ailey

Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company will have a 38th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, March 29, 2007 at 7:30 & Sunday, March 30 at 3:00 pm at The Ailey Citigroup Theater (The Joan Weill Center for Dance), 405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue. The program will include five pieces including two World premieres and a revival of a Ruth St. Denis piece.  Saeko Ichinohe dedicates the performances to her mentor, Antony Tudor in his centennial year.

Saeko Ichinohe will premiere "Transcending Traditions" inspired by the indigenous cultures of Native Americans and AINU of Japan.  Native music will be used and there will be costumes by Yukie Okuyama.  In looking at the traditions of these two distant cultures, there are a number of similarities particularly in rituals and ceremonies.  Jeff Moen will premiere "A Plastic Life" to Music by/used: Kevin Garcia with Costume Design by Yukie Okuyama based on Japanese themes. During the past five years he has created works for the company.

An American modern dance pioneer's solo will be performed by an Asian Dancer, opening a new page in dance history. The dance "Incense" with strong Asian influences was created and performed by Ruth St. Denis. Ms. Ichinohe will be the first Asian to dance "Incense."  She has been coached by Ms. Deborah Zall, who has performed the dance in the past.

An additional America/Asia exchange will include Ms. Zall performing a dance created by Ms. Ichinohe, "Willow Tree" to Music by: Minoru Miki with the costume of a Japanese traditional Wedding Robe.  She will be the first American to dance this solo. The program will include the recent hit "The Way (道)" the fast-paced and dynamic new work by Saeko Ichinohe to an exciting percussion score by George Antheil's "Ballet Mecanique." Ms. Ichinohe combines the way of martial arts, movements and philosophy behind, with some other Japanese art forms.  Lighting of the production will be designed by Chenault Spence.

Founded 1970, Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company is among the pioneers of multicultural choreography to be performed by a multi-ethnic group of dancers. The company has been performing annually in New York as well as performing in national and international venues. They have appeared in over 25 States.  Its mission is to employ dance as an interpretive medium inspiring mutual understanding between diverse peoples and cultures; and to offer indispensable nourishment for the heart, mind, and soul through its high-quality programs, which bring joy of movement to all ages, cultures, and socio-economic groups.  Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company also contributes to the aesthetic development of dance by incorporating cultural heritages, strongly influenced by historical Japanese tradition, into a framework of contemporary dance.

The company has performed at the Asian Pacific Heritage Week at the Washington Monument: the 25th, 30th, 35th and 40th Anniversary Celebrations of NYC–Tokyo Sister City Friendship; Wolf Trap International Children's Festival; programs for Fulbright Association; the Chicago Symphony: Japan Festivals in OH, MO, NY, PA & TN; the Japanese Ambassador's residence; Asian Pacific Heritage Month Celebration at US Dept. of Labor as well as for the Children's Hospital, Red Cross, N.Y. Public Library, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Japanese American Association, and Interfaith Peace Gathering.     

Tickets are General admission: $20; for groups of 10 or more $10 and $5 for children under 12.  For information and reservations please call (212) 757-2531. $10 Senior & student discount day of show at box office.    www.ichinohedance.org

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