The Very Best Of NYC Dance

Jessica Danser, Think Punk! and more…

-DANCE-

Another collective celebrating women this month is the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, who are presenting their annual BAAD!ASS Women’s Festival, taking place from Mar 6-28. On Mar 13 and 15 you can catch the world premiere of Jessica Danser’s latest work, “The Opposite of War”, which incorporates stage combat, krumping, and contemporary dance with songs of protest to examine dance’s potential for nonviolent resistance and as an outlet for rage. The all-female troupe will also perform “The Same Way You Are”, a 2008 Civil Rights Movement-themed piece, as well as two new works.

Celebrating its sixth New York season, for three nights only at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre, is Syren Modern Dance. Known for being both powerful and elegant, they will be presenting the NYC premiere of Pelléas et Mélisande, which features six dancers who explore the opera’s themes of marriage, lust and loss using swelling movements of grandeur and subtle nuance, to an intricate score composed by Sibelius. On the more physical end of the spectrum is the world premiere of the last of the leaves, which uses “the driving and churning idiosyncrasies” of John Adam’s “Shaker Loops” to explore the different energies needed to experience birth, illness, death and the mysteries surrounding the cycles of human life. The Artemis Chamber Ensemble, conducted by Matthew Oberstein, will perform live musical accompaniment for both pieces.

On Mar 22 Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts will host the Ballet-théâtre atlantique du Canada’s full-length performance of Don Juan. Promising a “fresh and playful” take on one of history’s most infamous lovers, this production will combine music by Gershwin and costumes by Denis Lavoie, the man who outfitted Mick Jagger on the Voodoo Lounge tour. The company is Atlantic Canada’s only professional ballet company and is made up of classically trained soloists from Canada and around the world. This performance will be the conclusion of the Brooklyn Center’s 2008-09 World of Dance series.

Think Punk! is finishing up its short-lived run at the Kitchen on Mar 13 & 14.  The production provides a glimpse into the three-decade evolution of the landmark works of Karole Armitage, including Wild Thing (1987), which features music by Jimi Hendrix and a set by artist Jeff Koons.  This evening-length program will be performed by eleven dancers and the live music will be provided by TALIBAM!


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