Natya Dance Theatre Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan has brought together a collection of high caliber artists whose disciplines range from dance to puppetry to jazz and Indian music for the world premiere of "INAI--The Connection". Here's what she told us about "INAI":
"Between Gestures" is an extaordinary ten-day event that includes eight performances, four public conversations, four masterclasses and a series of screenings of dance films and documentaries from Europe. We asked Tanguy Accart, Cultural Attaché of the Consulate General of France in Chicago about all of it, and here's what he told us:
d. Sabela Grimes gives DancerMusic an in-depth look at how he designed and continues to design the score that accompanies "ELECTROGYNOUS" and tells us more about the additional components used in the production. Here's what he told us:
In Urban Bush Women's Hair and Other Stories, hair is used as the jumping off point to begin a conversation about colorism and racism. Since its founding in 1984 by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, UBW has sought to "bring the untold and under-told histories and stories of disenfranchised people to light through dance." To this day the company stays true to its mission and artistic vision, and audiences can see the evidence of their drive and passion to push that mission and vision forward in Hair and Other Stories. Furthermore, upon learning more about the performance or physically being present for it, you'll soon discover that each of UBW's core values is also represented in the work. One such example is UBW validates the individual by recognizing the importance of hair stories from people of all backgrounds and ethnicities. They are an ear that is eternally and openly listening to anyone who has a story to tell; you can even submit a story to them at anytime via the Story Booth on their website. The company also has an long standing partnership with The People's Institute of Survival and Beyond (PISAB) - an organization devoted to undoing racism community programs, workshops and other educational experiences. To learn more about Hair and Other Stories, DancerMusic Dance Editor Kristi Licera caught up with Urban Bush Women Associate Artistic Director Chanon Judson. Here's what she told us:
There is no magical solution to getting out of a creative rut. All we can do is try and listen to the needs of our bodies and minds and make the most of the resources around us to achieve the desired effect. That is the approach that Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater, Donald Byrd, has taken in the creation of a three part choreographic series titled Rambunctious. Donald's resume includes so much more than award-winning dance choreography; it includes operas and theater works for world renowned companies including the New York City Opera and the Dutch National Opera. There is also a certain creativity needed to fund these numerous projects, and Donald's consistent brilliance and work ethic has garnered grants and awards from many national foundations to support his work including the Rockefeller Foundation, New England Foundation, New York Foundation for the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts. Between the countless dance, opera, and theater works, this incredibly accomplished choreographer and leader must continuously find new ways to keep the ball of innovation and creation rolling. To find out more about Donald's creative process, DancerMusic Dance Editor Kristi Licera asked for a behind the scenes look at Rambunctious 3.0: The Immigrants, which Spectrum Dance Theater will soon present at The Dance Center at Columbia College. Here's what Donald told us:
Bebe Miller's "In A Rhythm", will be performed by Bebe Miller Company April 5,6, & 7 at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. The Company's performances mark the end of the Process v. Product Festival, which invited "choreographers, dancers, students of dance and audiences to consider and reflect on ideas around how and why the creation, practice and witness of dancing can be more than a product for spectators." DancerMusic's Kristi Licera caught up with Bebe to find out more about "In A Rhythm", as well as more about the importance of sharing the creative process. Read on to see why Bebe Miller Company is the perfect fit for the end of this festival:
The Dance Center at Columbia College Chicago will present Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance at the beginning of March. Founded in 1973 by Artistic Director Lin Hwai-min, Cloud Gate Dance Theater has been recognized for its unique movement aesthetic and for Mr. Lin's "distinct and mature Chinese choreographic language". But what makes his dancers and movement aesthetic so unique? DancerMusic's Kristi Licera had the chance to speak with Mr. Lin during their Mexico City performances to find out:
