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| Paul Taylor Dance Company in Brandenburgs Photo by Lois Greenfield |
This weekend Seattle welcomes two legends of the modern dance choreography world: Paul Taylor and Mark Morris. Both have continued to set the bar with their individual and iconic work and now both are in town on the very same weekend. Also playing is Smoosh, an event by Cornish College
Paul Taylor Dance Company
October 4–6, 8 pm, Meany Hall
The last living member in the canon of modern dance pioneers that truly established the genre, Paul Taylor continues to impress with vibrant new works as well as recognized classics. Taylor has produced many lush and romantic modern dance pieces, but also never shies away from life’s stickier issues. For a thoughtful look at Taylor ’s career and work, see this recent article in The Nation here. The program will feature the West Coast premier of Taylor ’s latest work, The Uncommitted (2011) with live music by Arvo Part, performed by the Seattle Modern Orchestra. Also on the bill are Kith and Kin and Brandenburgs
Mark Morris Dance Group: Back on the Boards
October 4–6, 8 pm, On the Boards
As if having one modern dance legend in the Emerald City Seattle native, has become one of the most highly regarded choreographers in the world, and will be presenting four works, including the world premier of A Wooden Tree. What really got dance fans salivating this week though, was the Tuesday announcement that Mikhail Baryshnikov will be performing with the MMDG this weekend as well. The two artists have had a long working relationship and friendship, and co-founded the legendary White Oak Dance Project in 1990. “After working on theater projects for the past two years, I wanted to have a taste of dance,” said Baryshnikov. “I missed being on stage in that way. It is a great comfort to work with Mark Morris, a dear friend and collaborator whose work I love and who has an ensemble I adore.” Baryshnikov will complete the ensemble of eight dancers in the premiere of A Wooden Tree. As the performance was already sold out before the surprise announcement was made, there’s no hope of getting tickets if you don’t already have them, but for those who do, this will surely be a show to remember.
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| Super Eagle by Kate Wallich Photo by Jacob Rosen |
Smoosh
October 5, 7 pm, Cornish Visual Arts Complex
A little bit of everything all smooshed together, Smoosh is part party, part interactive dance performance, and part live music concert, all complete with food truck food and drinks in Cornish’s new Visual Arts Complex. The dance portion, “Super Eagle,” was created by Cornish alum Kate Wallich, and the featured music is a band called Pollens, made up of six Cornish alums. Tickets can be found here. The event is part of Cornish’s first annual program called Our Creative Society, a weekend of activities centered on a theme meant to reflect the cultural currents and discourse occurring both at the College and in the community at large. This year’s theme, Beyond Art, Creative Thinking in Contemporary Culture, aims to broaden the idea of how artistry and creativity are applicable to all aspects of life. The program features lecture/demonstrations (one by New York choreographer Camille A. Brown), as well as seminars and conversations, while Smoosh makes up the performance component. For more info on the events’ programs click here.
Women in Salsa
October 3–7, Century Ballroom
Century Ballroom is hosting an event of a different flavor this weekend, celebrating female salsa DJs from across the country. The festivities started, Wednesday, October 3, and go through Sunday afternoon. In addition to four evenings and one afternoon of dancing, the festival will also showcase local female dance instructors, teaching workshops for both men and women in all styles of Latin dance, including Casino Rueda, Salsa on 2, and Samba/Afro-Brazilian. To register and see workshop times see: http://www.centuryballroom.com/.
