- All Tickets $15
- Tickets go on sale Sun, Sept 9 at 11am.
- September 27 - October 13, 2012
- New York City Center is located on West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues in midtown Manhattan.
- http://www.nycitycenter.org/events/
The ninth annual Fall for Dance Festival, now expanded to 12
evenings, includes some of the most groundbreaking and breathtaking
dance in the world today. With tickets to this year’s Festival, you can
sample a diverse lineup of 20 companies and experience everything from
hula to ballet, flamenco to tap. Please scroll down for more detailed info about each program at end of schedule.
Fall for Dance’s annual DanceTalk series
will offer pre-performance panel discussions in the New York City Center
Studios (130 West 56th Street). Each discussion is free and open to the public.
9/27 8:00 p.m
Program 1
Jared Grimes
Dancing the Tap
Choreographed by Jared Grimes
Fang-Yi Sheu & Artists
3 Movements and 4 Repeats
Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
TBD
TBD
Choreographed by TBD
BalletBoyz
Void
Choreographed by Jarek Cemerek
9/28
Fri
8:00pm
Program 1
Jared Grimes
Dancing the Tap
Choreographed by Jared Grimes
Fang-Yi Sheu & Artists
3 Movements and 4 Repeats
Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
TBD
TBD
Choreographed by TBD
BalletBoyz
Void
Choreographed by Jarek Cemerek
9/29
Sat
8:00pm
Program 2
Juilliard Dance
Fortune
Choreographed by Pam Tanowitz
American Ballet Theatre
Sinatra Suite
Choreographed by Twyla Tharp
The Hong Kong Ballet
Luminous
Choreographed by Peter Quanz
Martha Graham Dance Company
Chronicle
Choreographed by Martha Graham
9/30
Sun
7:00pm
Program 2
Juilliard Dance
Fortune
Choreographed by Pam Tanowitz
American Ballet Theatre
Sinatra Suite
Choreographed by Twyla Tharp
The Hong Kong Ballet
Luminous
Choreographed by Peter Quanz
Martha Graham Dance Company
Chronicle
Choreographed by Martha Graham
10/2
Tue
8:00pm
Program 3
Ballet West
Grand Pas from Paquita
Choreographed by Elena Kunikova
TU Dance
High Heel Blues
Choreographed by Uri Sands
Nan Jombang
Tarian Malam (Night Dances) (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Eri Mefri
Moiseyev Dance Company
Moiseyev's Classics
Choreographed by Igor Moiseyev
10/3
Wed
8:00pm
Program 3
Ballet West
Grand Pas from Paquita
Choreographed by Elena Kunikova
TU Dance
High Heel Blues
Choreographed by Uri Sands
Nan Jombang
Tarian Malam (Night Dances) (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Eri Mefri
Moiseyev Dance Company
Moiseyev's Classics
Choreographed by Igor Moiseyev
10/4
Thu
8:00pm
Program 4
Shantala Shivalingappa
Shiva Ganga (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Shantala Shivalingappa
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pas de deux from Carousel (A Dance)©
Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
Jodi Melnick
Solo, (Re)Deluxe Version
Choreographed by Jodi Melnick
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La
Hula Kane: The Ancient Art of Hawaiian Male Dance
Choreographed by Kumu Hula KaleoTrinidad
10/5
Fri
8:00pm
Program 4
Shantala Shivalingappa
Shiva Ganga (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Shantala Shivalingappa
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pas de deux from Carousel (A Dance)©
Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
Jodi Melnick
Solo, (Re)Deluxe Version
Choreographed by Jodi Melnick
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La
Hula Kane: The Ancient Art of Hawaiian Male Dance
Choreographed by Kumu Hula KaleoTrinidad
10/6
Sat
8:00pm
Program 4
Shantala Shivalingappa
Shiva Ganga (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Shantala Shivalingappa
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pas de deux from Carousel (A Dance)©
Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
Jodi Melnick
Solo, (Re)Deluxe Version
Choreographed by Jodi Melnick
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka La
Hula Kane: The Ancient Art of Hawaiian Male Dance
Choreographed by Kumu Hula KaleoTrinidad
10/11
Thu
8:00pm
Program 5
Shen Wei Dance Arts
Rite of Spring
Choreographed by Shen Wei
LDP-Laboratory Dance Project
No Comment
Choreographed by Chang Ho Shin
Circa
CIRCA: (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Yaran Lifschitz and Circa ensemble
María Pagés Compañía
Deseo Y Conciencia (Desire & Conscience)
Choreographed by María Pagés
10/12
Fri
8:00pm
Program 5
Shen Wei Dance Arts
Rite of Spring
Choreographed by Shen Wei
LDP-Laboratory Dance Project
No Comment
Choreographed by Chang Ho Shin
Circa
CIRCA: (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Yaran Lifschitz and Circa ensemble
María Pagés Compañía
Deseo Y Conciencia (Desire & Conscience)
Choreographed by María Pagés
10/13
Sat
8:00pm
Program 5
Shen Wei Dance Arts
Rite of Spring
Choreographed by Shen Wei
LDP-Laboratory Dance Project
No Comment
Choreographed by Chang Ho Shin
Circa
CIRCA: (adapted for Fall for Dance)
Choreographed by Yaran Lifschitz and Circa ensemble
María Pagés Compañía
Deseo Y Conciencia (Desire & Conscience)
Choreographed by María Pagés
PROGRAM ONE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 at 8 p.m.
JARED GRIMES (Festival Debut)
Dancing the Tap, a world premiere choreographed by tap phenom Jared Grimes, is a rocking, concert-style performance featuring singing, dancing and plenty of flash. The work showcases the great desire to entertain while exploring different ideas within the tap genre.
Jared Grimes is making his mark in tap and hip-hop/street jazz. He has danced alongside legends such as Gregory Hines, Ben Vereen, Jerry Lewis and Fayard Nicholas, and toured with Mariah Carey. His stage credits include Babes in Arms at the Goodspeed Opera House; Sammy, directed by Debbie Allen; Scottsboro Boys, directed by Susan Stroman; Pure Country, directed by Peter Masterson; and Vaudeville, directed by Christopher d’Amboise. Mr. Grimes was featured in the recent Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes as well as in last season’s City Center/Jazz at Lincoln Center production of Cotton Club Parade. He performed with Wynton Marsalis at the Kennedy Center on the occasion of the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
FANG-YI SHEU & ARTISTS (Festival Debut)
3 Movements and 4 Repeats (2012), a New York premiere choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, was commissioned by Fang-Yi Sheu & Artists. Contemporary dancer Fang-Yi Sheu will be joined by New York City Ballet principal dancers Tyler Angle and Wendy Whelan and soloist Craig Hall.
Fang-Yi Sheu & Artists was founded in May 2007 by Fang-Yi Sheu. A native of Taiwan, Ms. Sheu received her BFA in dance from the National Institute of the Arts (now Taipei National University of the Arts), and later performed as a principal dancer for Martha Graham Dance Company. She has received numerous awards, including the 2007 National Award for the Arts (Taiwan), and she was the first Asian artist-in-residence at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Ms. Sheu has collaborated with dance groups and artists including Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Lin Hwai-Min, Eliot Feld, Shen Wei, Akram Khan, Christopher Wheeldon, and many more. http://www.fangyisheu.org
COMPANY TBA
BALLETBOYZ
Void (2012), a U.S. premiere choreographed by Jarek Cemerek, is an adrenaline-fueled frenzy of exquisite dancing. A pulsing and sublime ensemble piece, it pushes the dancers to the limit and features haunting projections that set the backdrop to the performers’ whirlwind movements.
BalletBoyz, founded by Michael Nunn & William Trevitt in 2001, has established itself as one of the most original and innovative forces in contemporary dance, revolutionizing traditional programming formats, commissioning work, collaborating with a wide range of cutting-edge talents and building a big following through TV. Its chief aim is to challenge, excite and enlighten audiences through its body of over 30 works. The company has received numerous awards and has performed all over the U.K. and internationally. www.balletboyz.com
PROGRAM TWO
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 at 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 at 7 p.m.
JUILLIARD DANCE (Live Music)
Fortune (2011), choreographed by Pam Tanowitz for the Juilliard Dance class of 2013, is set to Charles Wuorinen’s complex score of the same name. The structure of the dance is prescribed by the music but not dictated by it, with movement motifs mined from classical ballet and filtered through a contemporary lens.
Juilliard Dance, under the artistic direction of Lawrence Rhodes since 2002, aims to develop true contemporary dancers who are trained equally in classical ballet and modern dance. Established in 1951, Juilliard Dance was the first major teaching institution to combine instruction in both contemporary and ballet techniques. Each year 26 dancers are accepted into the four-year B.F.A. program. The 2012-2013 season includes commissions by Camille A. Brown, Emery LeCrone, Susan Shields and Jarek Cemerek, as well as repertory highlights. www.juilliard.edu/dance
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE
Sinatra Suite (1982), a ballet for two dancers choreographed by Twyla Tharp, is set to five songs sung by Frank Sinatra.
American Ballet Theatre, recognized by an Act of the United States Congress as America’s National Ballet Company™, is one of the world’s great dance companies. Few ballet companies equal ABT for its combination of size, scope and outreach. Since its founding in 1940, ABT annually tours the United States, performing for more than 600,000 people, and is the only major cultural institution to do so. The company has made more than 30 international tours to 43 countries and has been sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. www.abt.org
THE HONG KONG BALLET (Festival Debut)
Luminous (2010), choreographed by Peter Quanz, explores the fragility of human relationships, the tension between the genders, and the qualities drawn out of us by passing alliances. This emotionally charged, sensual piece is a reflection on relationships past and present.
The Hong Kong Ballet is one of the premier classical ballet companies in Asia and is a world-class institution with an identity that reflects the unique vitality of Hong Kong. Founded in 1979, the company has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organization led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, with over 40 accomplished dancers, a strong repertoire, and sparkling, technically challenging productions. The company performs a repertoire that combines 19th to 21st century classical masterpieces, acclaimed contemporary works and newly commissioned ballets. Since 1997, The Hong Kong Ballet has conducted more than 20 tours to 10 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia. http://hkballet.com
MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY
Chronicle (1936), is Graham’s stirring response to the rise of fascism in 1936 and to the unmatched power of the collective will. Chronicle is set to music by Wallingford Riegger and features sets by Isamu Noguchi and costumes by Martha Graham.
Martha Graham Dance Company, founded in 1926, is the oldest and one of the most celebrated contemporary dance companies in America. Martha Graham is recognized as a primal artistic force of the 20th century. She created 181 works and a dance technique that has been compared to ballet in its scope and magnitude. Her approach to dance and theater revolutionized the art form, and her innovative physical vocabulary has influenced dance worldwide. Since its inception, the company has received international acclaim from audiences in over 50 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. www.marthagraham.org
PROGRAM THREE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 at 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 at 8 p.m.
BALLET WEST
Grand Pas from Paquita, choreographed by Elena Kunikova after Marius Petipa’s 1881 version, premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. Petipa’s additions for Paquita survived long after the full-length ballet left the stage. Today, the Grand Pas from Act III is considered one of the most beloved and enduring classical showpieces in the world.
Ballet West was founded in Salt Lake City in 1963 and boasts a rich and varied repertoire, elegant and versatile artists, and an American style that is as dynamic, expansive and unexpected as the Rocky Mountain region it represents. Ballet West ranks among the top professional ballet companies in America. Since 2007, Artistic Director Adam Sklute has further energized and expanded Ballet West’s repertoire with works by the most renowned choreographers of today and introduced historical masterpieces from the great Ballets Russes, while continuing to preserve Ballet West’s classical legacy. Ballet West made its network television debut in May 2012 on the CW Network’s docu-drama “Breaking Pointe.” www.balletwest.org
TU DANCE (Festival Debut)
High Heel Blues (2005), a New York premiere choreographed by Uri Sands, is a sassy, playful duet based on a woman’s desire for a pair of high-heeled shoes and the salesman who helps her along the path to fulfillment.
TU Dance, led by Alvin Ailey veterans Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, has quickly become a leading voice on the Minnesota dance scene. Founded in 2004, TU Dance has garnered audience and critical acclaim for its diverse repertory, versatile artists, and for performances that are engaging, dynamic and generous. Modern dance, classical ballet, African based and urban vernacular movements are combined in inventive and unpredictable ways to provide opportunities to experience the connective power of dance. www.tudance.org
NAN JOMBANG (Festival Debut)
Tarian Malam (Night Dances) (2012), a U.S. premiere choreographed by Ery Mefri and adapted for Fall for Dance, came about after an earthquake struck the city of Padang, where the dancers of Nan Jombang were rehearsing, in September 2009. Barely escaping injury when the building collapsed around them, the company members were inspired to accelerate plans for their own choreographic center and to create Tarian Malam. In it, the dancers reflect on the fortunes and endeavors of humanity through natural disasters. The haunting wails of women, deep rhythmic pounding of drums and powerful choreography all come together to create a stunning, emotive performance.
Nan Jombang was created in 1983 in Padang, West Sumatra, by choreographer Ery Mefri. The company has become renowned for its melding of traditional West Sumatran Minangkabau culture and contemporary Indonesian dance expression. Nan Jombang has been presented in Indonesia and at major dance festivals abroad, including Singapore, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Australia and Switzerland.
MOISEYEV DANCE COMPANY (Festival Debut)
Moiseyev’s Classics, a selection of works choreographed by Igor Moiseyev, includes “Tartar Dance,” “Dance of the Bessarabia Gypsies,” and “A Suite of Moldavian Dances.”
Moiseyev Dance Company was founded in Moscow in 1937 by Bolshoi Ballet soloist Igor Moiseyev, who believed classical ballet is the best foundation for all dancing. Moiseyev earned international acclaim with his theatrical blend of folk dance, classical ballet and sheer spectacle. He used classically trained dancers and his sophisticated choreography was inspired by dances of the former Soviet states, as well as dances from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The company’s 1958 U.S. tour was the first-ever visit by a Soviet dance group to America. Today, under the artistic direction of Elena Scherbakova, the world-renowned company continues to create new works, adding to its vast repertoire of over 200 dances. www.moiseyev.ru
PROGRAM FOUR
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 at 8 p.m.
SHANTALA SHIVALINGAPPA (Live Music)
Shiva Ganga (2004), a New York premiere choreographed by Shantala Shivalingappa and adapted for Fall for Dance, is inspired by two distinct yet complementary energies, playing with each other to attain balance and the full expression of their true nature.
Shantala Shivalingappa, born in Madras, India, and raised in Paris, France, is a child of East and West. She grew up in a world filled with dance and music, initiated at a tender age by her mother, dancer Savitry Nair. Deeply moved and inspired by Master Vempati Chinna Satyam’s pure and graceful style, Shantala dedicated herself to Kuchipudi, and received an intense and rigorous training from her master. Driven by a deep desire to bring Kuchipudi to western audiences, she has performed in important festivals and theaters around the world. www.shantalashivalingappa.com
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET
Pas de deux from Carousel (A Dance)© (2002) Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s salute to the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical distills Carousel’s theme of tragic romance. With a simple hint at the story, Wheeldon catches the sweep and emotion of the music and the poignant, doomed nature of the couple’s relationship with a tender, romantic pas de deux.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The company of nearly 50 dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets in Seattle and on tour. The company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances in New York City and Washington, D.C. www.pnb.org
NOTE: Pacific Northwest Ballet will perform at New York City Center, February 13-16, 2013. Tickets go on sale September 4. The company will preview its City Center season as part of the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process series on September 9 and 10, 2012.
JODI MELNICK (Festival Debut, Live Music)
Solo, (Re)Deluxe Version (2012), choreographed by Jodi Melnick, is a work for four dancers with music by Steven Reker and People Get Ready. It occupies a position somewhere between written and spoken language, a living text, a series of moving ciphers that gives way to a dramatic arc. The movement is intricate, perceptive, meticulously designed and flooded with imagery.
Jodi Melnick is a two-time Bessie Award winner, a 2012 Guggenheim Fellow and a recipient of the Jerome Robbins New Essential Works Grant (2010-2011). In March 2012, Melnick presented One of Sixty Five Thousand Gestures, a solo made in collaboration with Trisha Brown, and her most recent work, Solo, Deluxe Version, at New York Live Arts (NYLA). Melnick has collaborated with a vast array of dance artists, including Twyla Tharp and Mikhail Baryshnikov, and her works have been performed nationally and internationally.
KA LEO O LAKA I KA HIKINA O KA LĀ (Festival Debut, Live Music)
Hula Kāne: The Ancient Art of Hawaiian Male Dance, a world premiere choreographed by Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad, brings the strength, grace, and history of Hawaii to life on stage. Featuring 10 male dancers and 11 female musicians, the work explores the rare movements and styles of the ancient hula of the Hawaiian Islands.
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā, celebrating seven years of work as a Hula Halau, or traditional dance school, is steeped in a hula genealogy spanning hundreds of years. Receiving top honors at the world’s most prestigious hula festivals, this company has distinguished itself by blending creativity with ritual and finesse with male athleticism. www.facebook.com/kaleoolakaikahikinaokala
PROGRAM FIVE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 at 8 p.m.
SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS
Rite of Spring (2003) Shen Wei’s abstracted reinterpretation of Stravinsky’s score uses movement and scenic elements to emphasize the music’s structural form.
Shen Wei Dance Arts was founded in 2000 by Shen Wei, who is widely recognized for his defining vision of an intercultural and interdisciplinary mode of movement-based performance. His work incorporates a range of media elements such as paint, sound, sculpture, theater and video. Shen Wei was a lead choreographer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies and has received numerous awards and fellowships, including an inaugural New York City Center Choreography Fellowship for the 2011-2012 season. Shen Wei Dance Arts has toured to 30 countries and 130 cities across the globe, performing at premier festivals and venues. www.shenweidancearts.org
LDP–LABORATORY DANCE PROJECT (Festival Debut)
No Comment (2002), choreographed by Chang Ho Shin, features nine male dancers prowling the stage with charged, unpredictable movement that combines contemporary dance with hip hop and martial arts. No Comment was inspired by the video-only, no-commentary news format that characterized the Iraq War press coverage in Germany, and features explosive, rhythmic music by the Serbian world-music composer Goran Bregovic and the London-based group Transglobal Underground.
LDP–Laboratory Dance Project, based in Seoul, South Korea, was founded in 2001 by graduates from the Korea National University of Arts’ Department of Dance in Seoul. LDP was the first dance conservatory in Korea and the first national university devoted to professional dance education with the support of the Korean government’s Ministry of Culture & Tourism. Its performances draw from breaking and other hip hop forms, martial arts and contact improvisation but put those raw energies in the service of smartly structured ensemble movement and striking visual concepts. www.facebook.com/ldp2001
CIRCA (Festival Debut)
CIRCA (2009), created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa ensemble and adapted for Fall for Dance, features daredevil acrobatics, aerial work and moving physical theater.
Circa, from Brisbane, Australia, is a bold new contemporary circus. Its works are highly innovative, genre-bending pieces that stretch the practice and perceptions of circus. Circa features a full-time ensemble, a concentrated administrative team and a dedicated circus studio. Circa’s touring program in 2011 reached more than 174,000 audiences locally, nationally and internationally. http://www.circa.org.au
MARÍA PAGÉS COMPAÑÍA (Festival Debut, Live Music)
Deseo Y Conciencia (Desire & Conscience) (2011), a U.S. premiere choreographed by María Pagés, is a poetical dance inspired by Don Quixote and the poems of Neruda, Benedetti, Machado and Baudelaire.
María Pagés Compañía, founded in 1990, has toured the most prestigious stages throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the United States. Pagés was born in Seville, Spain and is internationally renowned for her personal esthetic concept of the art of Flamenco. She is a pioneer in conceiving flamenco as an art that is in constant evolution, modern and alive. Her works embrace cultural differences, and she believes that that artistic interaction improves understanding between human beings. www.mariapages.com
PROGRAM ONE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 at 8 p.m.
JARED GRIMES (Festival Debut)
Dancing the Tap, a world premiere choreographed by tap phenom Jared Grimes, is a rocking, concert-style performance featuring singing, dancing and plenty of flash. The work showcases the great desire to entertain while exploring different ideas within the tap genre.
Jared Grimes is making his mark in tap and hip-hop/street jazz. He has danced alongside legends such as Gregory Hines, Ben Vereen, Jerry Lewis and Fayard Nicholas, and toured with Mariah Carey. His stage credits include Babes in Arms at the Goodspeed Opera House; Sammy, directed by Debbie Allen; Scottsboro Boys, directed by Susan Stroman; Pure Country, directed by Peter Masterson; and Vaudeville, directed by Christopher d’Amboise. Mr. Grimes was featured in the recent Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes as well as in last season’s City Center/Jazz at Lincoln Center production of Cotton Club Parade. He performed with Wynton Marsalis at the Kennedy Center on the occasion of the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
FANG-YI SHEU & ARTISTS (Festival Debut)
3 Movements and 4 Repeats (2012), a New York premiere choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, was commissioned by Fang-Yi Sheu & Artists. Contemporary dancer Fang-Yi Sheu will be joined by New York City Ballet principal dancers Tyler Angle and Wendy Whelan and soloist Craig Hall.
Fang-Yi Sheu & Artists was founded in May 2007 by Fang-Yi Sheu. A native of Taiwan, Ms. Sheu received her BFA in dance from the National Institute of the Arts (now Taipei National University of the Arts), and later performed as a principal dancer for Martha Graham Dance Company. She has received numerous awards, including the 2007 National Award for the Arts (Taiwan), and she was the first Asian artist-in-residence at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Ms. Sheu has collaborated with dance groups and artists including Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Lin Hwai-Min, Eliot Feld, Shen Wei, Akram Khan, Christopher Wheeldon, and many more. http://www.fangyisheu.org
COMPANY TBA
BALLETBOYZ
Void (2012), a U.S. premiere choreographed by Jarek Cemerek, is an adrenaline-fueled frenzy of exquisite dancing. A pulsing and sublime ensemble piece, it pushes the dancers to the limit and features haunting projections that set the backdrop to the performers’ whirlwind movements.
BalletBoyz, founded by Michael Nunn & William Trevitt in 2001, has established itself as one of the most original and innovative forces in contemporary dance, revolutionizing traditional programming formats, commissioning work, collaborating with a wide range of cutting-edge talents and building a big following through TV. Its chief aim is to challenge, excite and enlighten audiences through its body of over 30 works. The company has received numerous awards and has performed all over the U.K. and internationally. www.balletboyz.com
PROGRAM TWO
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 at 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 at 7 p.m.
JUILLIARD DANCE (Live Music)
Fortune (2011), choreographed by Pam Tanowitz for the Juilliard Dance class of 2013, is set to Charles Wuorinen’s complex score of the same name. The structure of the dance is prescribed by the music but not dictated by it, with movement motifs mined from classical ballet and filtered through a contemporary lens.
Juilliard Dance, under the artistic direction of Lawrence Rhodes since 2002, aims to develop true contemporary dancers who are trained equally in classical ballet and modern dance. Established in 1951, Juilliard Dance was the first major teaching institution to combine instruction in both contemporary and ballet techniques. Each year 26 dancers are accepted into the four-year B.F.A. program. The 2012-2013 season includes commissions by Camille A. Brown, Emery LeCrone, Susan Shields and Jarek Cemerek, as well as repertory highlights. www.juilliard.edu/dance
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE
Sinatra Suite (1982), a ballet for two dancers choreographed by Twyla Tharp, is set to five songs sung by Frank Sinatra.
American Ballet Theatre, recognized by an Act of the United States Congress as America’s National Ballet Company™, is one of the world’s great dance companies. Few ballet companies equal ABT for its combination of size, scope and outreach. Since its founding in 1940, ABT annually tours the United States, performing for more than 600,000 people, and is the only major cultural institution to do so. The company has made more than 30 international tours to 43 countries and has been sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. www.abt.org
THE HONG KONG BALLET (Festival Debut)
Luminous (2010), choreographed by Peter Quanz, explores the fragility of human relationships, the tension between the genders, and the qualities drawn out of us by passing alliances. This emotionally charged, sensual piece is a reflection on relationships past and present.
The Hong Kong Ballet is one of the premier classical ballet companies in Asia and is a world-class institution with an identity that reflects the unique vitality of Hong Kong. Founded in 1979, the company has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organization led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, with over 40 accomplished dancers, a strong repertoire, and sparkling, technically challenging productions. The company performs a repertoire that combines 19th to 21st century classical masterpieces, acclaimed contemporary works and newly commissioned ballets. Since 1997, The Hong Kong Ballet has conducted more than 20 tours to 10 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia. http://hkballet.com
MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY
Chronicle (1936), is Graham’s stirring response to the rise of fascism in 1936 and to the unmatched power of the collective will. Chronicle is set to music by Wallingford Riegger and features sets by Isamu Noguchi and costumes by Martha Graham.
Martha Graham Dance Company, founded in 1926, is the oldest and one of the most celebrated contemporary dance companies in America. Martha Graham is recognized as a primal artistic force of the 20th century. She created 181 works and a dance technique that has been compared to ballet in its scope and magnitude. Her approach to dance and theater revolutionized the art form, and her innovative physical vocabulary has influenced dance worldwide. Since its inception, the company has received international acclaim from audiences in over 50 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. www.marthagraham.org
PROGRAM THREE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 at 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3 at 8 p.m.
BALLET WEST
Grand Pas from Paquita, choreographed by Elena Kunikova after Marius Petipa’s 1881 version, premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. Petipa’s additions for Paquita survived long after the full-length ballet left the stage. Today, the Grand Pas from Act III is considered one of the most beloved and enduring classical showpieces in the world.
Ballet West was founded in Salt Lake City in 1963 and boasts a rich and varied repertoire, elegant and versatile artists, and an American style that is as dynamic, expansive and unexpected as the Rocky Mountain region it represents. Ballet West ranks among the top professional ballet companies in America. Since 2007, Artistic Director Adam Sklute has further energized and expanded Ballet West’s repertoire with works by the most renowned choreographers of today and introduced historical masterpieces from the great Ballets Russes, while continuing to preserve Ballet West’s classical legacy. Ballet West made its network television debut in May 2012 on the CW Network’s docu-drama “Breaking Pointe.” www.balletwest.org
TU DANCE (Festival Debut)
High Heel Blues (2005), a New York premiere choreographed by Uri Sands, is a sassy, playful duet based on a woman’s desire for a pair of high-heeled shoes and the salesman who helps her along the path to fulfillment.
TU Dance, led by Alvin Ailey veterans Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, has quickly become a leading voice on the Minnesota dance scene. Founded in 2004, TU Dance has garnered audience and critical acclaim for its diverse repertory, versatile artists, and for performances that are engaging, dynamic and generous. Modern dance, classical ballet, African based and urban vernacular movements are combined in inventive and unpredictable ways to provide opportunities to experience the connective power of dance. www.tudance.org
NAN JOMBANG (Festival Debut)
Tarian Malam (Night Dances) (2012), a U.S. premiere choreographed by Ery Mefri and adapted for Fall for Dance, came about after an earthquake struck the city of Padang, where the dancers of Nan Jombang were rehearsing, in September 2009. Barely escaping injury when the building collapsed around them, the company members were inspired to accelerate plans for their own choreographic center and to create Tarian Malam. In it, the dancers reflect on the fortunes and endeavors of humanity through natural disasters. The haunting wails of women, deep rhythmic pounding of drums and powerful choreography all come together to create a stunning, emotive performance.
Nan Jombang was created in 1983 in Padang, West Sumatra, by choreographer Ery Mefri. The company has become renowned for its melding of traditional West Sumatran Minangkabau culture and contemporary Indonesian dance expression. Nan Jombang has been presented in Indonesia and at major dance festivals abroad, including Singapore, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Australia and Switzerland.
MOISEYEV DANCE COMPANY (Festival Debut)
Moiseyev’s Classics, a selection of works choreographed by Igor Moiseyev, includes “Tartar Dance,” “Dance of the Bessarabia Gypsies,” and “A Suite of Moldavian Dances.”
Moiseyev Dance Company was founded in Moscow in 1937 by Bolshoi Ballet soloist Igor Moiseyev, who believed classical ballet is the best foundation for all dancing. Moiseyev earned international acclaim with his theatrical blend of folk dance, classical ballet and sheer spectacle. He used classically trained dancers and his sophisticated choreography was inspired by dances of the former Soviet states, as well as dances from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The company’s 1958 U.S. tour was the first-ever visit by a Soviet dance group to America. Today, under the artistic direction of Elena Scherbakova, the world-renowned company continues to create new works, adding to its vast repertoire of over 200 dances. www.moiseyev.ru
PROGRAM FOUR
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 at 8 p.m.
SHANTALA SHIVALINGAPPA (Live Music)
Shiva Ganga (2004), a New York premiere choreographed by Shantala Shivalingappa and adapted for Fall for Dance, is inspired by two distinct yet complementary energies, playing with each other to attain balance and the full expression of their true nature.
Shantala Shivalingappa, born in Madras, India, and raised in Paris, France, is a child of East and West. She grew up in a world filled with dance and music, initiated at a tender age by her mother, dancer Savitry Nair. Deeply moved and inspired by Master Vempati Chinna Satyam’s pure and graceful style, Shantala dedicated herself to Kuchipudi, and received an intense and rigorous training from her master. Driven by a deep desire to bring Kuchipudi to western audiences, she has performed in important festivals and theaters around the world. www.shantalashivalingappa.com
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET
Pas de deux from Carousel (A Dance)© (2002) Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s salute to the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical distills Carousel’s theme of tragic romance. With a simple hint at the story, Wheeldon catches the sweep and emotion of the music and the poignant, doomed nature of the couple’s relationship with a tender, romantic pas de deux.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The company of nearly 50 dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets in Seattle and on tour. The company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances in New York City and Washington, D.C. www.pnb.org
NOTE: Pacific Northwest Ballet will perform at New York City Center, February 13-16, 2013. Tickets go on sale September 4. The company will preview its City Center season as part of the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process series on September 9 and 10, 2012.
JODI MELNICK (Festival Debut, Live Music)
Solo, (Re)Deluxe Version (2012), choreographed by Jodi Melnick, is a work for four dancers with music by Steven Reker and People Get Ready. It occupies a position somewhere between written and spoken language, a living text, a series of moving ciphers that gives way to a dramatic arc. The movement is intricate, perceptive, meticulously designed and flooded with imagery.
Jodi Melnick is a two-time Bessie Award winner, a 2012 Guggenheim Fellow and a recipient of the Jerome Robbins New Essential Works Grant (2010-2011). In March 2012, Melnick presented One of Sixty Five Thousand Gestures, a solo made in collaboration with Trisha Brown, and her most recent work, Solo, Deluxe Version, at New York Live Arts (NYLA). Melnick has collaborated with a vast array of dance artists, including Twyla Tharp and Mikhail Baryshnikov, and her works have been performed nationally and internationally.
KA LEO O LAKA I KA HIKINA O KA LĀ (Festival Debut, Live Music)
Hula Kāne: The Ancient Art of Hawaiian Male Dance, a world premiere choreographed by Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad, brings the strength, grace, and history of Hawaii to life on stage. Featuring 10 male dancers and 11 female musicians, the work explores the rare movements and styles of the ancient hula of the Hawaiian Islands.
Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā, celebrating seven years of work as a Hula Halau, or traditional dance school, is steeped in a hula genealogy spanning hundreds of years. Receiving top honors at the world’s most prestigious hula festivals, this company has distinguished itself by blending creativity with ritual and finesse with male athleticism. www.facebook.com/kaleoolakaikahikinaokala
PROGRAM FIVE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 at 8 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 at 8 p.m.
SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS
Rite of Spring (2003) Shen Wei’s abstracted reinterpretation of Stravinsky’s score uses movement and scenic elements to emphasize the music’s structural form.
Shen Wei Dance Arts was founded in 2000 by Shen Wei, who is widely recognized for his defining vision of an intercultural and interdisciplinary mode of movement-based performance. His work incorporates a range of media elements such as paint, sound, sculpture, theater and video. Shen Wei was a lead choreographer for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies and has received numerous awards and fellowships, including an inaugural New York City Center Choreography Fellowship for the 2011-2012 season. Shen Wei Dance Arts has toured to 30 countries and 130 cities across the globe, performing at premier festivals and venues. www.shenweidancearts.org
LDP–LABORATORY DANCE PROJECT (Festival Debut)
No Comment (2002), choreographed by Chang Ho Shin, features nine male dancers prowling the stage with charged, unpredictable movement that combines contemporary dance with hip hop and martial arts. No Comment was inspired by the video-only, no-commentary news format that characterized the Iraq War press coverage in Germany, and features explosive, rhythmic music by the Serbian world-music composer Goran Bregovic and the London-based group Transglobal Underground.
LDP–Laboratory Dance Project, based in Seoul, South Korea, was founded in 2001 by graduates from the Korea National University of Arts’ Department of Dance in Seoul. LDP was the first dance conservatory in Korea and the first national university devoted to professional dance education with the support of the Korean government’s Ministry of Culture & Tourism. Its performances draw from breaking and other hip hop forms, martial arts and contact improvisation but put those raw energies in the service of smartly structured ensemble movement and striking visual concepts. www.facebook.com/ldp2001
CIRCA (Festival Debut)
CIRCA (2009), created by Yaron Lifschitz and the Circa ensemble and adapted for Fall for Dance, features daredevil acrobatics, aerial work and moving physical theater.
Circa, from Brisbane, Australia, is a bold new contemporary circus. Its works are highly innovative, genre-bending pieces that stretch the practice and perceptions of circus. Circa features a full-time ensemble, a concentrated administrative team and a dedicated circus studio. Circa’s touring program in 2011 reached more than 174,000 audiences locally, nationally and internationally. http://www.circa.org.au
MARÍA PAGÉS COMPAÑÍA (Festival Debut, Live Music)
Deseo Y Conciencia (Desire & Conscience) (2011), a U.S. premiere choreographed by María Pagés, is a poetical dance inspired by Don Quixote and the poems of Neruda, Benedetti, Machado and Baudelaire.
María Pagés Compañía, founded in 1990, has toured the most prestigious stages throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the United States. Pagés was born in Seville, Spain and is internationally renowned for her personal esthetic concept of the art of Flamenco. She is a pioneer in conceiving flamenco as an art that is in constant evolution, modern and alive. Her works embrace cultural differences, and she believes that that artistic interaction improves understanding between human beings. www.mariapages.com
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