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| Dancer Julia Cross in Britt Karhoff’s work for The Bridge Project Photo by David Levitt |
Brace yourself Seattle: February begins this weekend and the month is practically bursting with dance. From performances at almost every venue in the city, to a few annual festivals, to discussions, lectures, and benefit performances, there’s no shortage of dance to absorb. The first weekend opens with PNB’s blockbuster Romeo et Juliette by Jean-Christophe Maillot, as well as the sure-to-be dynamic Bridge Project at Velocity Dance Center.
PNB: Roméo et Juliette
February 1–10, McCaw Hall
An audience favorite since PNB premiered the ballet in 2008, Maillot’s Romeo et Juliette has been praised as “one of the most beautiful ballets adapted from Shakespeare’s masterpiece that can be seen today” (Scènes Magazine). Maillot’s expressive and organic choreography paired with Prokofiev’s dramatic score tells the tragic love story in three acts. With casting that showcases PNB’s finest talents, be sure to get your tickets while you can. Additionally, former principals Lucien Postelwaite and Noelani Pantastico will be reprising their roles for one night only on the evening of Saturday, February 9. Both are currently dancing with Maillot’s company, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
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| Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist James Moore and principal dancer Kaori Nakamura in Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Roméo et Juliette. Photo © Angela Sterling. |
The Bridge Project
February 1–3, 8:00 PM, Velocity Dance Center
One of Velocity’s many programs that supports developing choreographers, The Bridge Project provides choreographers with rehearsal space and a cast of auditioned dancers to create new work within 3 weeks. An intensive creative residency, the project always yields intriguing results and an opportunity to see emerging choreographers as well as many dancers new to the Seattle scene. This year’s choreographers are: Elia Mrak, a Seattle native returning to the city after years of performing and choreographing in Western Europe; Amy Johnson, a recent Cornish grad seen earlier this year in Velocity’s Fall Kick-Off as a spunky Charlie Chaplin and as choreographer for Eternal Glow of Electric Hearts;Chris McCallister, a current member of Khambatta Dance Company; and Britt Karhoff, a relative newbie to Seattle (also seen in the Fall Kick-Off) who studied with San Francisco’s esteemed Joe Goode Performance Group. Also on the bill is a short dance film by Joyce Liao. This show is sure to sell out. It would be wise to purchase tickets ahead of time to see what these five artists have come up with. More info and tickets can be found here.
Other Events:
Inception Dance Theater Fundraiser Gala Performance
January 31, 7:00 PM, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center
One of the areas newest companies, Inception Dance Theater, directed by Christian Richards, has set up shop as the resident dance company at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. The evening will mark the group’s first annual gala fundraiser (with a silent auction and meet and greet) as well as their first performance in the center’s newly refurbished theater. Tickets and more info are available here.
Coming Up Next:
PNB’s New York Tour Preview
February 4, 5:30 PM, Phelps Center
In preparation for their first full company tour to New York City in over a decade, PNB will show a 90-minute preview of what they’ll present in New York. Expect to see several Balanchine works like Concerto Barocco, Agon, and Apollo as well as excerpts of Romeo et Juliette.
UW Dance Research Symposium
February 5, 5:00 PM, UW Campus
A part of UW’s new five part series on dance research, this seminar is titled: “The Spine, The Soul & The Rite of Spring.” Scholar and innovator Martha Carter, who has worked extensively with Compagnie Marie Chouinard, shares her research and choreographic practice and talks about her personal experience working on Chouinard’s re-creation of The Rite of Spring.
Hubbard Street Dance
February 9, 8:00 PM, The Paramount
One of the most popular contemporary ballet companies in the country, this Chicago-based troupe will be at The Paramount for one night only. On the bill are two pieces: THREE TO MAX by Ohad Naharin, and Too Beaucoup by Sharon Eyal and Gaï Behar.
12 Minutes Max
February 10–11, 7:00 PM, Washington Hall
12 Minutes Max returns to Washington Hall for its February installment. The line-up includes Shannon Stewart and Kyle Easterly presenting dance works, as well as theater by Erin Pike, Grace Levy, Linas Phillips, and Quinn Armstrong and Kaytlin McIntyre, Erin Pike, plus performance arts by Syniva Whitney/GENDER TENDER.
