NobleMotion Dance to Bring ORIGIN to The Barn, 1/22-23

NobleMotion Dance, known for intense physicality, stunning theatricality, and unique collaborations, is excited to present the second annual Next Step Series, offering an original evening of work by Jesus Acosta, Catalina Alexandra, and Jennifer Mabus in their premier of Origin at The Barn, January 22-23 at 8 PM.

An evening of three new dance works, Origin will explore the idea of emergence and growth through individual perspectives on formative experiences, ritual, and memory. The evening will also feature the light design of David J Deveau, as well as many of Houston's talented contemporary dance artists.

Jesus Acosta's "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground" draws from personal life experience, focusing on the interconnectedness of human relationships through the use of engaged partnering, lush dancing, and unique props that become archetypal images. The effects of communication or the lack thereof are investigated in terms of how they shape human beings. Acosta states, "Things people have done, or haven't done, have taken a toll on me and shaped the person that I am today."

Catalina Alexandra's "Five Pecks of Rice" becomes an imagistic ritual through rice. This danced ritual circles around the reality of life, contemplating its constant expansion and contraction, and the certainty of change. She explores the individual's journey within community, as well as the myriad ways a seeker creates abundance, gives offering, finds stability, and establishes community. Alexandra reflects, "We are walking each other home, grain by grain we walk."

Jennifer Mabus created "The Art of Losing" as a way to understand a family member's descent into Alzheimer's. Mabus aims to abstract the idea of memory and identity in order to create the physical experience of loss. By examining where memory is held in the body, what one repeats in order to remember, and what happens when one does not recognize the self anymore, Mabus asks, "When we have lost everything, is there something essential to who we are that remains written in the body and the heart?" She is collaborating with the artist Lynn Lane, who is creating and performing a responsive, improvisational sound scape for the work.

NMD Artistic Director Andy Noble states, "We could not be more excited about introducing these talented artists to the Houston community. I think audiences will be impressed by the quality of their work."

Tickets are $15 general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at www.noblemotiondance.com or by contacting Dionne Noble at 832-627-9663.

NobleMotion Dance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization. In 2009, NobleMotion exploded onto the Houston dance scene and has since received critical acclaim for their "extraordinary athleticism" and "cutting edge" programming. NobleMotion Dance seeks to make work that is emotionally daring and honest; inspires discourse and understanding amongst diverse communities; and integrates dance, theatre and technology in unique ways. Artistic directors Andy Noble and Dionne Sparkman Noble are long time collaborators who have been entertaining audiences for twenty years. The dance company's ultimate goal is to develop a body of work that challenges the status quo, is recognized for its contributions to the dance world, and influences future generations of dance artists.

Photo Credit: Lynn Lane