So You Think You Can Dance?

So You Think You Can Dance?

What the pros are up to this coming season in New York City venues

In September:

DANCENOW/NYC

Now a city tradition, the DancenOw/NYC Festival kicks the fall dance season off with its 11th season and several exciting changes.

This year, to accommodate the cheering throngs, the Festival moves base camp from the quaint Joyce SoHo to the more spacious and flattering Dance Theater Workshop (September 8–10 at 7:30 p.m.; ticket are $15), and revives the 4OUp series, as a toast to DTW’s 4Oth anniversary.

A studio showing series called Up Close & Personal will also take place upstairs (Sep. 10 at 2 p.m.; tickets are $10). The more cabaret-like dancemOpolitan series continues at Joe’s Pub (September 15–17 at 9:30 p.m.; admission is $15 with a $12 food and drink minimum). Look for many more of these events throughout the year.

Continuing to build a presence uptown––adding to Dance Harlem at Marcus Garvey Park (September 11 at 3 p.m., which is free) and Danza in Washington Heights (September 17 at 4 p.m. in Highbridge Park, also free)—Sacred@Synod, in the exquisite Synod House on the grounds of St. John the Divine, will showcase dances to sacred music at the grand cathedral at 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue (September 13 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $15).

For a complete schedule and information, visit dancenownyc.org. For tickets to DTW events, call 212 024-0077 or visit dtw.org. For tickets to Joe’s Pub events, call telecharge at 212-539-8778.

EVENING STARS

As part of the fourth annual River-to-River Festival, with more than 500 cultural events in Lower Manhattan, Evening Stars runs September 14 – 17 at 7:30 p.m. on the Lawn of Battery Park. Each performance celebrates a different musical genre. Opening night, Wednesday, September 14, will feature “Crooners and Swooners,” with some of the dance world’s most acclaimed companies performing to standards by Frank Sinatra and Burt Bacharach, among others. The series’ second evening, Thursday, September 15, will feature “Vinyl Favorites”––contemporary dances created to popular hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, by stars like George Harrison, Queen, and Stevie Wonder. Merce Cunningham Dance Company will turn the lawn into a stage on Friday, September 16 for what is dubbed a “one-time only event.” The series will close on Saturday, September 17 with Urban Remix, performances that will also feature the winner of that afternoon’s Urban Freestyle Dance Contest, where New York City area crews are invited to compete for a cash prize. The contest will begin at 3:00 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.

DAVID NEUMANN/ADVANCED BEGINNER GROUP

The smart choreographer and his outstanding cast deliver encore performances of the text and task-driven work created in collaboration with filmmaker Hal Hartley and playwright Will Eno. Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church, September 15–18 at 8:30 p.m. 10th Street at Second Avenue. Tickets $15 at 212-674-8194 or danspaceproject.org.

BREAKING GROUND: A DANCE CHARRETTE

For the first installment of Dancing in the Streets’ new public performance series, Ann Carlson, Eiko & Koma, Larry Keigwin, Tere O’Connor, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar will create individual works for a New York City site undergoing redevelopment. On Monday morning, September 12, the five choreographers will be taken to the site for the first time, at which time it will first be revealed to the public as well. They’ll spend the next five days creating five to 10-minute dances, which will be performed on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 2 & 4 p.m. Visit the Web site dancinginthestreets.org to find out where. In case of rain, call 212-625-3505.

In October:

EDGE CO.

Ko Muroboshi, one of the best known and acclaimed butoh artists in the world, makes his U.S. debut with three male dancers from his group Edge Co. at the Japan Society with performances of “Handsome Blue Sky,” an homage to Tatsumi Hijikata, founder of the post-apocalyptic art form. October 6 – 8. 333 East 47th Street. Tickets are $35 at 212-752-3015 or japansociety.org. DTW also presents a program of new Japanese contemporary dance featuring Yoko Higashino and Hirokai Umeda, also October 6 – 8. 219 West 19th Street. Tickets $20. 212 924-0077 or dtw.org.

ANN LIV YOUNG

Likely to raise eyebrows, ire, and other body parts, Ann Liv Young presents “Michael,” a raw and highly sexual evening-length work situated inside a mobile home. DTW, October 19-22. 219 W19th Street. Tickets are $20 at 212 924-0077 or dtw.org.

ON THE BOARDS/ CLARE BYRNE DANCE

Seattle-based presenter On the Boards brings choreographer Amy O’Neal and her company locust, October 14 and 15, and Clare Byrne Dance performs “Sweet Chariots” October 20–23. Both at Joyce SoHo. 155 Mercer Street. Tickets are $15 at 212 334-7479.

In November:

ANNE TERESA DE KEERSMAEKER

Two seasons ago, Belgian dancer and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker roused the New York dance world with her company Rosas’ emotive performances of “Rain.” Now, The Joyce offers a rare opportunity to see De Keersmaeker up close in a critically acclaimed solo performance to the timeless music of Joan Baez. Witty, edgy, and lyrical, “Once” is a revelatory work, performed by one of Europe’s most captivating artists. November 8 – 13. 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street. Tickets are available at the box office, joyce.org, or by calling 212 242-0800.

GARTH FAGAN DANCE

Garth Fagan Dance returns to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater this fall, November 9–13, where one of the highlights is a revival of Fagan’s full-evening classic “Griot New York.” The original score by Wynton Marsalis will be played live by the composer’s septet. “Griot” will be performed one night only––November 9. Broadway and 60th Street. Tickets are available at the box office, jalc.org, or by calling 212-721-6500.

POWERFUL PEOPLE

Miguel Gutierrez performs a new solo entitled “Retrospective Exhibitionist,” exploring the intersections of narcissism, vulnerability, and seduction. His Powerful People join him for the trio, “Difficult Bodies.” DTW, November 30––December 3. 219 W 19th Street. Tickets are $20 at 212-924-0077 or dtw.org.

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