Alicia Anstead(for Inside Arts magazine): Let’s say you can’t use the word dance, how would you describe what you do for a living?
Bill T. Jones: I am a scientist in the area of that place where feeling, thought and action meet. My primary computer, my primary instrument is the body, mine and other people’s.
(in interview after accepting a Tony award for his choreography in Spring Awakening)
There has been so much activity in the local dance community lately so here are some quick highlights and upcoming events:
– Congratulations to Bessie Award Recipients: On September 17, Dance Theater Workshop, Danspace Project, and The Joyce Theater with the 2007 Bessies Committee, presented the Twenty-Third Annual New York Dance and Performance Awards (a.k.a. THE BESSIES) for exceptional achievements of the 2006-2007 season. Award were given to two Walker-commissioned and premiered productions for:
– Minneapolis dancer, Karen Sherman, for her performance in Morgan Thorson’s Faker at P.S. 122
– Designers, Jim Findlay and Jeff Sugg, for Cynthia Hopkins’ Must Don’t Whip ‘Um at St. Ann’s Warehouse
Awards were also given to artists previously commissioned by the Walker such as Bill T. Jones and Sarah Michelson for their latest works.
– Most Ambitious Work to Date: Two years ago local choreographer, Mathew Janczewski embarked on a great and ambitious project commissioned by the Walker Art Center. An amazing round-table of artists came together to help him conceive and develop his new work, UGLY. As a dancer, Mathew has long been obsessed with the notion of body image and as a choreographer he has looked at society and the various faades we put on. You are invited to come and peek behind-the-scenes at how he breaks down those faades, strips down the ego and gets to the essence of who we are as individuals and who we are as a people.
– Choreographers’ Evening All Lined Up: This year’s CE showcase curated by Emily Johnson, runs November 24 at 7 and 9:30 pm and features short works by Olive Bieringa, Jaime Carrera, Joanna Furnans, Cara Krippner, Mad King Thomas, Kaleena Miller and Ricci Milan, Pam Plagge, Sally Rousse, Kenna Sarge, Susan Scalf and Dylan Skybrook, Chris Schlichting, Anna Marie Shogren, Terri Yellowhammer, and The Greater Twin Cities Tableau Society.
– Momentum 08: New Dance Works: Just announced!
Four new commissions, by local promising artists Eddie Oroyan, Chris Schlichting, Maia Maiden with Ellena Schoop, and Anna Marie Shogren, are germinating and will be co-presented by the Walker Art Center and the Southern Theater, with generous support from the Jerome Foundation, July 17-19 & 24-26, 2008. Save the dates!
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