DancerMusic Editor Kristi Licera recently caught up with Project Bound Dance co-artistic director Emily Loar to learn more about the challenges and triumphs of her many roles with the company, as well as learn more about Bound's decision to partner with Emma Draves for the upcoming split bill performance of "The Nearest Place." Here's what Emily told us:
From December 5th through the 8th, Links Halls' Co-Mission Festival of New Works culminates in a shared bill festival format perfomance. In two separate bills, Tuli Bera and Jasmine Mendoza, and Elijah Motley and Paul Scudder share the new works they have developed. We asked Elijah Motley to share a little more with us, and here's what he told us:
Independent choreographers Francesca Baron and Kaela Norwood have teamed up to present their choreographic works in FUSED at Links Hall. Here's what they told us about partnering for this presentation, as well as insights to the works they will be presenting:
Rika Lin has worked tirelessly to curate Bridge Dance Festival, which seeks to connect artists from Japan and Japanese influenced work with audiences in Chicago. Here's what Bridge Dance Festival participating artists Alexander Hayashi, Mitsu Salmon, Ayako Kato and Ayaka Nakama told us about their work and approach to their artistry:
Yoshinojo Fujima (aka Rika Lin) tells DancerMusic about her unique approach to evolving the art form of classical Japanese dance in "Beyond the Box III: Suji - Lines of Tradition." Here's what she told us:
The saying 'opposites attract' is most often used to describe a phenomenon that draws people together. It's something you may have experienced yourself at one time or another -- you butt heads with someone on some level, or perhaps you find complete disagreement across the board. Perhaps it's the excitement of a good debate that gets your blood flowing, or maybe learning about the other side strengthens your argument against it. For some it may simply be the excitement of something new -- of exploring a perspective outside of your own. Whatever the reason, the age old saying has some
These days, it seems that you have all the entertainment you need at your fingertips. Wherever you go, you are sure to see people enraptured by their mobile devices, scrolling through videos on social media or streaming their favorite TV shows. There is no shortage of convenient entertainment, which certainly creates problems for those involved in the performing arts. So, how do you begin to compete with convenience and draw an audience into the theater? If you are Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, you have found a solution – create a unique concert dance experience coupled with a live jazz band.
There is a connection between still and live art, and Still Inspired: Connections is an evening of dance that explores that connection. Four choreographers each select a piece of art from a Chicago based visual artist to serve as the inspiration for a new choreographic work. Now in its fourth season of production, Still Inspired: Connections presents an evening of dance exploring the work of Sergio Gomez. For co-producer and presenting choreographer, Laura Thurston, the visual impact of Gomez's work led her on a choreographic journey that led to reflections on her life and those of her cast of dancers. Join DancerMusic's Kristi Licera as we PRE-View the premiere of Laura's upcoming work, Debate:
If we had to choose one word to describe Monte Rezell.... well, honestly, we couldn't. Monte is a man of many talents: dancer, emcee, DJ, lyricist, producer, teacher - the list goes on and on. But what stands out most about this hip hop artist is the warmth and passion of his spirit. Within moments of meeting Monte, it is clear that his heart belongs to hip hop. DancerMusic's Kristi Licera got a chance to catch up with Monte before he hits the stage with his company, Movement Revolution Dance Crew for Off the Wall: The MJ Remix Experience this Sunday, December 10 at Links Hall in Chicago. Here's what Monte had to share:
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre opens its fall concert series, "Alone/Together", at Links Hall, October 5 - 7. DancerMusic's Kristi Licera has been keeping up with the artists at CRDT throughout the season. See what she has learned about this creative, mind-opening evening of dance:
