Minnesota Dance Theatre Presents 'Crossing Currents', 4/7-10

Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT) presents Crossing Currents, to close its 2010-2011 performance season at the Lab Theater April 7 -10. This Minnesota dance event offers a world premiere and a triptych of Art Inspired work. MDT celebrates its eclectic repertory, exclusive work, past commissions, and the new as we look forward to our 50th anniversary in 2012.

Hope Boykin, dance dynamo from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Twin Cities for her second collaboration with MDT. Ms Boykin received her first choreographic commission from MDT the summer of 2003 immediately after artistic director Lise Houlton saw her work in Ailey on Ailey, a summer choreographic workshop offering Ailey company dancers opportunities to create and present their work. With a stellar performing career in Philadanco, Complexions and the Ailey company where she was mentored by the renowned Judith Jamison, MOVEments is her second commission for the MDT company. Boykin has been acknowledged with the acclaimed Bessie Award, Philadelphia's "50 Most People to Watch", and a "Rising Star" award.

"Hope Boykin exudes passion and power in her dancing that forces you to look, listen and feel. Similarly compelling is her choreographic voice." Lise Houlton

The performance will also present a triptych of Art Inspired Work from the MDT repertory by choreographers Wynn Fricke and Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner.

Houlton became acquainted with Fricke's choreography after seeing her piece, Ibuki in 1999 and approached her to set it on the company.

"I was impressed with her intrinsically connected and inventive movement. The physical, contemporary aesthetic was the style with which to challenge and engage MDT's dancers and audiences," states Houlton.

The following season MDT commissioned Fricke to create a new piece for the company and the result was the stunning Two Fridas. This hauntingly beautiful piece (commissioned by MDT in 2000) was choreographed in collaboration with composer Carl Witt and inspired by the dark and poignant paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Ms. Fricke held the position of MDT's Choreographer-in-Residence from 2005-2007, funded in part by the Jerome Foundation, from which came four world premieres and a Sage Award for her choreography on MDT's production, Shadow and Light.

Digging For Clay was the first professional commission for the young artist Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner. Fresh from the dance program at the University of Minnesota, Gutierrez-Garner was inspired by the sculptures of Auguste Rodin and his passion for sculptor Camille Claudel.

As a student her work was selected to represent the U of M at the American College Dance Festival's National Conference at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In 2008 she was the chosen choreographer for the MDT/Nautilus production of Ricky Ian Gordon's Orpheus and Euridice at the Pantages Theater. Gutierrez-Garner is the recipient of Jerome and McKnight Fellowship grants and is currently teaching and choreographing in Oregon.

Also on the program will be Sir Frederick Ashton's Facade, a 1931 comic hit to the music of Sir William Walton. This work "...might fairly be said to mark the true beginning of British ballet, for it established Ashton as a genuine creative talent." Anatole Chujoy and P.W. Manchester

Tickets to Crossing Currents are available for purchase at The Lab Theater.
Please call (612) 333-7977 or visit www.thelabtheater.org for tickets.
Please visit www.mndance.org for more information on the performance season, or contact Minnesota Dance Theatre at (612) 338-0627 x1.

Photo Credit: Brad Rolfs