October 24-26, 2013
An iconic living legend, Paul Taylor keeps producing masterpieces at an astonishing rate, to date 137 works. His company of extraordinarily-talented dancers is consistently regarded as the best of the best. Taylor's works run the gamut - lyrical, dark, ironic, silly, nostalgic and outright funny. An evening with the Taylor company is a journey orchestrated by a genius. This season, we revisit one of Taylor's classic works, Mercuric Tidings (1982). The company will also perform A Field of Grass (1993) and Gossamer Gallants (2011), both Philadelphia premieres.
Videos:
Excerpts from Cascade and Brief Encounters
Paul Taylor Dance Company performing Scudorama
Paul Taylor Dance Company at 2010 American Dance Fest
Performances:
November 21-23, 2013
Packed with wit, theatrical sensibility and a penchant for pop culture, Larry Keigwin's choreography is "a parcel of pure explosive energy mediated by impressive technical skills," (New York Times). Celebrating a decade of dance-making in 2013, Keigwin is a rare gem-his works deftly walk the edge between high-brow and commercial, an impressive achievement for any contemporary choreographer. With wildly kinetic pieces regularly leaving audiences in fits of glee, Keigwin is a choreographer to watch. His Philadelphia program will include two trios, Boys and Girls, as well as other Philadelphia premieres.
Videos:
Runaway by Larry Keigwin
Keigwin + Company at the Joyce Theater, December 2009
Keigwin + Company at the Joyce Theater May 2008
Performances:
December 12-14, 2013
A freewheeling, multi-media, boundary-bending movement troupe, BodyVox is the striking brainchild of MOMIX and Pilobolus alums Ashley Roland and Jamey Hampton. Known for its breathtaking cocktail of physicality, compelling imagery and imaginative whimsy, this Portland-based company is praised for approaching dance "with a breezy freshness and simplicity that is all its own" (New York Times). The Cutting Room, BodyVox's latest full-length work, explores the world of cinema in a sophisticated yet simultaneously goofy revelry full of surprises.
Videos:
Water Bodies Trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqI4QP2oyak&feature=related
Performances:
January 16-18, 2014
Known as the "feel-good company," Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal consistently delivers sophisticated, technically-stunning works by the world's most renowned choreographers. "Runway-sleek with polished moves" meeting "the energy of a tsunami with stamina to spare" (Los Angeles Times), the company's dancers are among the dance world's elite-coolly stylized, athletic and ultra-hip. The program sees world premieres as well as the Philadelphia premieres of Harry, the energetic and passionate piece created by Israeli-American choreographer Barak Marshall, and Closer, a romantic pas de deux contributed by Black Swan choreographer and new director of the Paris Opera Ballet, Benjamin Millepied.
Performances:
February 20-22, 2014
Boasting "fast and furious pop dancers steeped in ballet basics" (Chicago Tribune), dance superstar Rasta Thomas' Bad Boys of Dance is a high-octane intersection of classical and modern, complete with the music of Michael Jackson, Usher, U2 and the Black Eyed Peas. Whether sharing the stage with Sir Elton John, dancing on the catwalks at New York's Fashion Week or appearing on the hit TV shows So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, these amazing performers show their versatility and virtuosity with athletic jumps, endless turns and endearing individuality.
Performances:
March 6-8, 2014
Doug Elkins' 20-plus-year career has seen wild success from his rollicking blend of hip hop and contemporary dance, vigorously steeped in parody, last seen here with Fraulein Maria. "One of the most musical, witty and inventive choreographers of his generation" (New York Times), Elkins' troupe of dancers has a knack for lighting the fire of joy in its audiences. Included in the program is Mo(or)town/Redux, a take on Shakespeare's Othello (and José Limón's seminal The Moor's Pavane) set to an all-Motown score featuring Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Amy Winehouse. Also on the program, a new work tributing the comic geniuses of silent film.
Performances:
April 3-5, 2014
Dubbed "the company of the future" by the Joyce Theater Foundation, BODYTRAFFIC debuts in Philadelphia amid a flurry of critical acclaim. A Los Angeles-based repertory dance troupe flagrantly defying the notion that Hollywood only spawns commercial dance, BODYTRAFFIC commissions today's most distinctive contemporary choreographers. Its debut features Richard Siegal's o2Joy, a playful piece set to a jazz score featuring Ella Fitzgerald; Barak Marshall's and at midnight the green bride floated through the village square ..., a dance theatre piece featuring frenetic, high-energy choreography over a darkly humorous narrative; and a new piece by Kyle Abraham, the young choreographer whose career has skyrocketed with much recognition.
Performances:
May 8-11, 2014
The blockbuster dancer-illusionist company that "dazzles with undefinable grace and personality" (New Orleans Times-Picayune), returns to Philadelphia with its newest work, Alchemia by the ever-irrepressible Moses Pendleton. With a dash of Harry Potter charm and a whimsical exploration of the four elements, Pendleton's latest creation is an enchanting and phantasmagorical multimedia spectacle full of wild invention, aesthetic thrills and surprising humor-MOMIX at its most magical.
Videos:
‘Botanica’
‘F.L.O.W.’
‘White Widow’
Performances:
April 20-21, 2013
Presented by Dance Affiliates and Monica Bill Barnes
& Company in association with WHYY.
This American Life host Ira Glass has been working with Monica Bill Barnes & Company to invent a show that combines two art forms that - as Glass puts it - "have no business being together - dance and radio." One is all words and no visuals. One is all visuals and no words. The result is a funny, lively and very talky evening of dance and stories that brought down the house in its first test run at Carnegie Hall. Now the full show premieres in Philadelphia. "What makes it work," says Glass "is a shared sensibility. As dancers, Monica and Anna are these amazingly relatable and funny storytellers without words."
Two performances only.
For tickets call 215-898-3900 or visit AnnenbergCenter.org
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street
"Barnes is one of the wittiest young choreographers around."
The Village Voice
Tickets - From $20:
Dance A (Thursday evening)
Dance B (Friday evening)
Dance C (Saturday matinee)
Dance D (Saturday evening)
May 16-18, 2013
For many years this ground-breaking company's star shone brightly as it lit up major venues with perhaps the most beautiful and beautifully-trained dancers around. Five years ago that star dimmed due to financial circumstances. Now this major contemporary ballet company is being resurrected, with the blessing of Arthur Mitchell, under the guidance of Virginia Johnson, who for 20 years was the company's leading dancer. Its first tour will feature new works and a few Balanchine classics. Welcome back a dance treasure.
"This is one of the most delightful evenings I have enjoyed. I have forgotten all the troubles I have had in my life."
Nelson Mandela
Performances:
MAIL:
4701 Bath Street
Bldg. 46B
Philadelphia, PA
19137-2235
PHONE: 215-636-9000
FAX: 267-672-2912
EMAIL: info@danceaffiliates.org
For Dance Celebration
Tickets & Subscriptions
Annenberg Center Box Office
215-898-3900 or boxoffice@ac.upenn.edu
For Dance Celebration
Group Tickets
Annenberg Center Box Office
215-397-6259 or groups@ac.upenn.edu
The Dancemaker: Generations
October 24-26, 2013
November 21-23, 2013
December 12-14, 2013
January 16-18, 2014
February 20-22, 2014
March 6-8, 2014
April 3-5, 2014
May 8-11, 2014
