7 Days in dance

Volume 75, Number 39 | Sep. 29 – Oct. 05, 2005

7 Days in Dance

Now Showing:

CHRISTINA OLSON: AMERICAN MODEL The model for Andrew Wyeth’s best loved and most widely reproduced painting “Christina’s World,” died in 1968. But Tamar Rogoff has resurrected her for “Christina Olson: American Model.” Actress Claire Danes enters risky territory with her bold portrayal that is almost too real for comfort. Wyeth’s image is safely stationary. Olson did not have to move and with Danes’ legs behind her, immobility and powerlessness were intimated. Rogoff can be commended for utilizing dance’s potential to create a multidimensional image. Danes pleases with the famous pretty pose, as if looking over the tall grasses at the house. Alternately she runs, walks, jumps, stamps willfully, and rolls on the floor, showing both frustration and a playful, lyrical, if solitary, position. In arabesque, her foot extends flatly. She stands with her feet like slabs turned inward; they are intentionally lifeless, causing us to notice the missing impetus that’s part of the body’s normal anatomy, and a foundation of dance. P.S. 122, 150 Fifth St. at E. Ninth St. Wed.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sat., Sun. 4 p.m. Through Oct.2. $20; 212 352-3101 or ps122.org (Lori Ortiz)

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BALLET AUSTIN In its Joyce debut, Ballet Austin, led by award-winning choreographer and artistic director Stephen Mills, lights up the stage in three dramatic works. “One/the body’s grace,” a work on pointe, sensuously explores relationships to arias by Handel, Bach, and Gluck. In “Ashes,” a segment of Mills’ “Light/The Holocaust and Humanity Project,” eight dancers illuminate a deeply personal meditation on human resilience and transcendence. The world premiere of “Desire and Three Movements,” performed on pointe to the music of Arvo Pärt and Steve Reich, closes the program on an upbeat. Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. at 19th St. $38 at 212-242-0800 or joyce.org. Oct. 5-9, Wed.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

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THE BENTFOOTES Dixon Place at University Settlement presents Dura Mater’s “The Bentfootes,” an imagined history of America’s most resilient First Family Of Dance. Video guests include Nina Hellman and James Urbaniak, Larry Goldhuber, Lisa Kron, Jody Sperling, Elizabeth Zimmer, and many more. 184 Eldridge St. at Rivington St. Oct. 6-8 8 p.m. $15/$12 in advance at theatermania.com or 212-219-0736, x110.

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DOUG VARONE & DANCERS The choreographer directs the world premiere of composer Ricky Ian Gordon’s “Orpheus & Euridice,” which will be performed in the Frederick P. Rose Hall, home to Jazz at Lincoln Center. The classic myth unfolds in a production that weaves song, music, dance and theater into this timeless tale of love and loss. The celebrated soprano Elizabeth Futral and acclaimed clarinetist Todd Palmer joins Doug Varone and Dancers for this striking, emotional journey. Broadway at 60th St. Oct. 5, 7 & 8 8 p.m. $3 -$65 at lincolncenter.org.

Upcoming:

HENNING RUBSAM: SENSEDANCE Choreographer Henning Rubsam and his company will present three premieres on an evening that highlights a range contemporary dances that employ classical technique and pointe work. Guest artists Melissa Morrissey, Ramon Thielen, and Andrea Long of Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Dartanion Reed, formerly with American Ballet Theatre, and currently artistic director of the Hartford City Ballet join the troupe these performances. Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Ave., entrance on 25th St btwn. Lexington & Third Aves. Oct. 12-16, Wed. – Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Oct.13 is LGBT night honoring Dancers Responding to AIDS. $22; $30 priority seating. 646-312-4085, 212-279-4200, or ticketcentral.com.

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GINA GIBNEY DANCE The five-woman company presents the premiere of the choreographer’s “unbounded,” exploring the limitations and resolutions of conflicting desires, with music by Ryan Lott and video by Anja Hitzenberger. Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church, 131 Tenth St. at Second Ave. $15 at 212-674-8194 or danspaceproject.org. Oct 13 – 6 8:30 p.m.

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THE BENTFOOTES Dixon Place at University Settlement presents Dura Mater’s “The Bentfootes,” an imagined history of America’s most resilient First Family Of Dance. Video guests include Nina Hellman and James Urbaniak, Larry Goldhuber, Lisa Kron, Jody Sperling, Elizabeth Zimmer, and many more. 184 Eldridge St. at Rivington St. Sep. 29-Oct. 1 and Oct. 6-8 at 8 p.m. $15/$12 in advance at theatermania.com. Reservations at 212-219-0736, x110.

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THE WOOSTER GROUP The company’s latest work “Poor Theater,” directed by Elizabeth LeCompte, is an homage to the work of three seminal figures in 20th century art—theater director Jerzy Grotowski, choreographer William Forsythe, and visual artist Max Ernst. The Performing Garage, 33 Wooster St. $25-$30 at 212-868-4444 or smarttixx.com. Tue.–Sun. 8 p.m. through Oct. 15.

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Upcoming:

NEW YORK BUTOH FESTIVAL Butoh came about as a direct artistic response to the World War II atomic bombings. The festival is a biennial event, this is the second festival and the only Butoh festival in North America. The festival focuses on the international scope of the art form – how it has spread, where it has spread to, how the form has grown in its relatively short life span, and the artists that make up the community – both the masters and the disciples. The festival begins Oct. 6 with Ko Murobushi and Edge Co. at Japan Society and continues through Oct. 23 with performances at Theater for a New City, 155 First Ave. at Ninth St. Panel discussions, film screenings, workshops, and lectures are also planned. For a complete schedule of events, locations, time and admission, go to caveartspace.org.

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BALLET AUSTIN In its Joyce debut, Ballet Austin, led by award-winning choreographer and artistic director Stephen Mills, lights up the stage in three dramatic works. “One/the body’s grace,” a work on pointe, sensuously explores relationships to arias by Handel, Bach, and Gluck. In “Ashes,” a segment of Mills’ “Light/The Holocaust and Humanity Project,” eight dancers illuminate a deeply personal meditation on human resilience and transcendence. The world premiere of “Desire and Three Movements,” performed on pointe to the music of Arvo Pärt and Steve Reich, closes the program on an upbeat. Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. at 19th St. $38 at 212-242-0800 or joyce.org. Oct. 5-9, Wed. – Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

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