Soles of Duende to Replace Compañía Irene Rodríguez at Jacob's Pillow
The all-female percussive trio will present Can We Dance Here?, rooted in tap, flamenco, and kathak, at the Doris Duke Theatre.
Jacob's Pillow has revealed a programming update to its inaugural spring season. Due to an unforeseen injury, Compañía Irene Rodríguez will no longer appear to perform Flamenco Soul in the Doris Duke Theatre from April 24-26. In its place, Jacob's Pillow is honored to present Soles of Duende, a powerful all-female percussive trio rooted in tap, flamenco, and kathak.
Soles of Duende will present their acclaimed work, Can We Dance Here? on the same calendar dates as originally scheduled. The ensemble will return to Jacob's Pillow following their standout 2022 Pillow debut to present this New York Times Critic's Pick in a special one-weekend-only engagement.
“The Pillow extends wishes of a full and speedy recovery to Irene Rodríguez, an audience favorite and a beloved member of the Pillow dance community,” said Artistic and Executive Director Pamela Tatge. “Happily, we will have the privilege of welcoming Soles of Duende back to Jacob's Pillow—a company brimming with the flights of percussive energy we know audiences are looking for this spring. These three riveting women create work that powerfully explores identity, migration, and the universal language of rhythm. Can We Dance Here? is a performance that feels both timely and timeless, resonating across borders and generations. Following their show-stopping performance in our 2024 Gala, we are excited to welcome them into the Doris Duke Theatre for the first time.”
Soles of Duende
Formed in East Harlem in 2016, the multicultural trio Soles of Duende are bonded by a deep love of music and percussive dance. The company's three members—a Brooklyn-born Puerto-Rican from New Haven, a Mexican Puerto-Rican Jew from the Lower East Side, and a Bengali Indian from Jersey—elevate the joy and music of collaboration across three dance disciplines: tap (Amanda Castro), flamenco (Arielle Rosales), and kathak (Brinda Guha). Soles of Duende was featured in The Joyce Theater's 2024 American Dance Platform and has received multiple Bessie Award nominations in recent years. In 2024, they were featured on the cover of Dance Magazine. The ensemble returns to Jacob's Pillow following a 2022 Pillow debut on the iconic outdoor Henry J. Leir stage, and their performance in the Ted Shawn Theatre during the 2024 Season Opening Gala.
Can We Dance Here? is an evening of rhythmic exchange and dynamic storytelling, brought to life with live musical accompaniment. Castro, Rosales, and Guha each bring a distinct voice to the stage that celebrates their survival amidst the barriers that diminish collective liberation. Rooted in the freedom their crafts provide them, Soles of Duende invites their audience to pause, witness, and receive three women of culture boldly taking the floor.
No action is required from audience members who currently hold tickets for Compañía Irene Rodríguez's Flamenco Soul. Tickets will be transferred automatically into the equivalent performances by Soles of Duende, with the same dates and showtimes as originally booked. Because this engagement is sold as general admission, new seating reservations are not required. Due to this special circumstance, if audience members prefer a refund, they can email our Box Office at boxoffice@jacobspillow.org or call 413.243.0745 during business hours. Please note that the Box Office is available by phone and email only during this period; the in-person Box Office remains closed.
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