“A cornucopia of Twin Cities dance … [a] smorgasbord of emerging and mature talent from across the dance spectrum.” —MinnPost
For almost 40 years, Choreographers’ Evening has served as the major gathering for our thriving local dance community. Dedicated to serving up quality and quantity, this Thanksgiving-weekend compendium of short works brings a host of bodies, movement styles, and innovations to the McGuire stage, celebrating the remarkably diverse range of local dance.
The curators for this year’s program are the globetrotting duo Olive Bieringa and Otto Ramstad, whose award-winning BodyCartography Project is geared toward improvisation, inclusion, and innovative responses to their environment. Their unique perspective yielded a carefully calibrated mix of performers ranging from established choreographers to emerging talent. ”We both have a passion for experiencing different kinds of physical investigation in performance,” says Bieringa. “We were drawn to work that generated this kinesthetic excitement, surprised us, and challenged our ideas. We love choreography that dances the mind and body.”
Kenna Sarge leads off the evening with a celebratory preshow performance in the Hennepin Lobby featuring live drumming and a host of young dancers. The proceedings move to the stage with Chris Holman’s gestural lecture with cello accompaniment by Michelle Kinney; a conceptual dance from Mad King Thomas; and a brand-new solo from Justin Jones. Following are Cara Ann Krippner’s trio à la Isadorables, a flying piece inspired by her days as a gymnast; a musical tap duet from Buckets and Tap Shoes; a physical theater duet by Charles Campbell, performed with his son Arthur; and a pantomime crossed with modern dance, then infused with the intrigue of film noir, from Emily King and Ryan Underbakke.
The Interact Theater Company’s performance combines lip sync with disco, and Taja Will and Penelope Freeh offer contemporary and modern ballet solos, respectively, followed by Chris Yon and Taryn Griggs’ Flashback: (The Very Unlikeliness) I’m Going to Kill You. The evening culminates sensational newcomers Tina Flewellyn and her Hype Dance Troupe, a company of six hip-hop dancers and a live DJ.
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