David Homan News

From today to Saturday, May 28- 30, 2015, several diverse artists find common ground in a performance series of cutting-edge contemporary dance. Ariel Rivka Dance, Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Sean Curran, Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch, and Paul Dennis unite for the first time showcasing their respective, distinct styles through performances woven together by the themes of mysticism, time, and technology. (Program details are below.)

From Thursday to Saturday, May 28- 30, 2015, several diverse artists find common ground in a performance series of cutting-edge contemporary dance. Ariel Rivka Dance, Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Sean Curran, Carrie Ellmore-Tallitsch, and Paul Dennis unite for the first time showcasing their respective, distinct styles through performances woven together by the themes of mysticism, time, and technology. (Program details are below.)

David Homan, a New York City-based contemporary composer/pianist, releases an ambitious 11 movement CD/DVD entitled The Book of Esther - a two-part work based on Jewish history. Originally scored as a ballet for the Ariel Rivka Dance company, the Book of Esther lyrically depicts the Biblical story of Purim, as seen through the lens of feminism, women's empowerment and two brave, strong female characters.

I went to see a program with Ariel Rivka's Book of Esther at the Ailey Citigroup as the dance centerpiece and emerged from the performance with admiration for the world premiere of Take...Taken...Taking, by Alan Obuzor, named by Dance Magazine as one of the 25 choreographers of 2013 to watch, and watch I did.

Ariel Rivka Dance (ARD), a New York City-based contemporary ballet ensemble, presents an ambitious program featuring three emerging dance companies. First and foremost, ARD premieres The Book of Esther - a two-part work based on Jewish mythology choreographed by Ariel Grossman with original, live music by composer/pianist David Homan. It'll be supplemented by performances by Trainor Dance founded by Caitlin Trainor as well as Texture Contemporary Ballet led by one of Dance Magazine's 'Top 25 To Watch' choreographers, Alan Obuzor. (Program details are below.)

Ariel Rivka Dance (ARD), a New York City-based contemporary ballet ensemble, presents an ambitious program featuring three emerging dance companies. First and foremost, ARD premieres The Book of Esther - a two-part work based on Jewish mythology choreographed by Ariel Grossman with original, live music by composer/pianist David Homan. It'll be supplemented by performances by Trainor Dance founded by Caitlin Trainor as well as Texture Contemporary Ballet led by one of Dance Magazine's "Top 25 To Watch" choreographers, Alan Obuzor. (Program details are below.)

The world-renowned Joffrey Ballet School presented Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker this past weekend with 355 dancers - the largest cast in the school's 60-year history

Both the Riedel Dance Theater and Ariel Rivka Dance companies today announced the upcoming world premieres of their new, narrative works - In Violent Circles (Rite of Spring) and Vashti, respectively. These two emerging contemporary ensembles will share the stage for three consecutive nights March 7 - 9, 2013, at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre (NYC). Both choreographers, Jonathan Riedel and Ariel Grossman, are true storytellers who draw upon the emotional power of drama, movement and music to bring stories to life through dance. Both pieces feature live, on-stage musical performances of original scores/arrangements by two of today's top contemporary composer/performers.