Your intrepid reviewer headed off last Wednesday night to the Providence Performing arts Center (PPAC) for the Complexions Contemporary Ballet's performance of FROM BACH TO BOWIE, part of the FirstWorks Artistic Icons Series. The first half of the New York dance troupe's performance featured 'Bach 25,' a fusion of contemporary dance and ballet technique performed to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The second part was 'Stardust,' which turns an assortment of Bowie's hits into a rock-inspired ballet to honor him. Songs such as Lazarus,' 'Heroes,' 'Young Americans,' 'Life On Mars' and 'Let's Dance' were featured. So, full disclosure, I am vastly unqualified to write a review about Bach, Bowie or dance. Now that we understand each other, here goes.
The Joyce Theater catapults its scintillating 2019 season that encapsulates an entire spectrum of contemporary international movement with a renowned and acclaimed audience-favorite, COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet.
This diverse program includes ACCUSED (Variation B), exploring the sometimes dark nature of society and whether society is the culprit of devastating events, or in fact, a victim of itself. The second dance is a duet: LIFELINE, a romantic yet complex duet set to music by Karl Jenkins about a couple driven together by desire and pulled apart by outside forces. The third piece is a World Premiere of the NEW WORK, set to the earth-shattering and dynamic composition score by contemporary Irish composer Donnacha Dennehy, 'Gra agus Bas.' The final dance is the joyous MURMURATION, set to music by Ottorino Respighi and highlights the tale of the beautiful aerial ballet of the starlings.
For a few decades, The Complexions Dance Company has been my very favorite company to see perform. They did not fail me again. Literally mind-blowing performances from this visit to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Los Angeles audiences will experience the brilliance of David Bowie like never before with StarDust, Complexions Contemporary Ballet's revelatory tribute to the late icon, taking place at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from April 20 - 22, 2018. Part of the 15th season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center (Dance at The Music Center), this production will feature many of the singer's most beloved hits and glam rock-inspired costumes designed by Christine Darch.
Alison Cook Beatty Dance will perform HUMANITAS, THE EMOTIONS PROJECT, THE UNINVITED GUEST, and WHALE (world premiere). The ninety-minute performance will include two intermissions. Guest artists Kitty Lunn and Winston Dynamite Brown will be performing short works with Ms. Cook-Beatty as well.
Alison Cook Beatty Dance will perform a WORLD PREMIERE (Untitled) and MURMURATION featuring the music of Ottorino Respighi in an hour-long program. The performance will include one intermission and will be followed by a brief discussion with Artistic Director, Alison Cook-Beatty, and several of the dancers about the creative process. Charlotte Benjamin, a talented guitarist, will be featured throughout the evening.
Los Angeles audiences will discover a new perspective on many timeless classics interpreted through a contemporary lens as they journey through The Music Center's dance season and uncover themes of conflict between female strength and societal expectations. The 2017/2018 Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center (Dance at The Music Center) season is replete with powerful characters, riveting storylines, modern choreography and theatrics that take the traditional narrative ballet to a new level. Audiences are invited to venture into the world of dance and experience realms of expression beyond expectation. The coming season opens with the U.S. premiere of Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes (September 15-October 1, 2017), a beloved fairytale and Hollywood classic where life imitates art, presented by Dance at The Music Center and Center Theatre Group.
Alison Cook Beatty Dance will perform a WORLD PREMIERE (Untitled) and MURMURATION featuring the music of Ottorino Respighi in an hour-long program. The performance will include one intermission following a discussion with the Artistic Director and several of the dancers about the creative process. Charlotte Benjamin, a talented guitarist will be featured throughout the evening.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, founded in 1994 by Co-Artistic Directors, Dwight Rhoden, choreographer and Desmond Richardson, legendary dancer, is currently in its second week of its season at the Joyce Theater. All works in both programs have been choreographed by Rhoden, resident choreographer. On Wednesday, February 1, 2017, I attended Program B with excited anticipation.
I have to thank the Artistic Director of MADCO, Stacy West, for allowing me to see the first full-run through of LIQUID ROADS. I was completely captivated by the union of music and dance I experienced, and found the piece thoroughly entertaining. And, I wondered how it would all come together on stage with a live band accompanying the performers. Well, naturally, it was even better than I'd imagined, adding another level of excitement to the proceedings.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to The Joyce Theater for its annual two-week engagement, today, November 13-25, 2012, featuring two world premieres and two New York premieres.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to The Joyce Theater for its annual two-week engagement, November 13-25, 2012, featuring two world premieres and two New York premieres.
The main purpose and goal of Houston Ballet's WOMEN@ART is to celebrate the ability of women to choreograph interesting, thought-provoking, and fully realized ballets. In 2004, Stanton Welch was met with fantastic success the first time he programmed three one-act ballets choreographed by women in his inaugural WOMEN@ART performance. The 2012 offering, complete with a World Premiere by Aszure Barton, will hopefully motivate and empower young girls and women interested in dance and choreography to follow their dreams while opening a dialogue about the value of female voices in the dance world.
Smuin Ballet (Celia Fushille, Artistic & Executive Director) will perform a special New York City engagement this summer, August 13th - 18th, 2012 at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street).
Smuin Ballet (Celia Fushille, Artistic & Executive Director) will perform a special New York City engagement this summer, August 13th - 18th, 2012 at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street).
Concluding its 2010-2011 season, Smuin Ballet presents a dynamic spring program featuring three masterful works. Included in the program is the distinctive ballet Momentum by the internationally celebrated choreographer Choo-San Goh. Set to a lively piano concerto by Sergei Prokofiev, Momentum is renowned for its clean sculptural lines and streamlined partnering.
After a triumphant 15th Anniversary season and World Tour, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Directors and Co-Founders Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson have announced the official programming for the company's return to The Joyce Theater, taking place November 16-28, 2010.
