Enjoy this production by University City's Dancefusion!
Dancefusion Season Collection
Dancefusion company with special guset artist
Meredith Rainey (former soloist PA Ballet) and a
new work by Myra Bazell. Also, guest company
Kun-Yang Lin/Dance (Philadelphia),
Discounted Ticket on sale at Gwendolyn Bye Dance Studio
$24 adults and $9 students and children
call 215-222-7633
Dancefusion presents Season Collection along with
the premier of guest company Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers
(Philadelphia) at the Annenberg Center Harold
Prince Theater, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia,
Pa. Performances are Friday, February 9th at
8:00pm and Saturday, February 10th at 8:00pm.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for student,
children. All major credit cards are accepted.
For tickets, additional information, discounts
and group rates call the Dancefusion Office
(Gwendolyn Bye Dance Studio) at 215-222-7633.
Dancefusion, under the artistic direction of
Gwendolyn Bye, is one of Philadelphia's most
recognized modern dance companies. The company is
dedicated to the preservation and performance of
classic modern dance repertory. Join Dancefusion
as they present two historic works by legendary
choreographers Anna Sokolow and Mary Anthony with
special guest artist Meredith Rainey and a new
work by noted Philadelphia choreographer Myra
Bazell. Through support from Dance Advance
funded by Pew Charitable Trust, Dancefusion
reconstructed Mary Anthony's The Women of Troy
(1954). This tragic work set to a score by New
York composer Elliot Weiss, depicts Cassandra's
prediction of the fall of Troy and the exodus of
the Trojan Women pursued by Greek warriors.
Special guest artist Meredith Rainey, a former
soloist with Pennsylvania Ballet will dance the
roll of Agamemnon and Cassandra will be danced by
long time company member Christine Taylor. The
Women of Troy, was first performed in 1954 at the
New Dance Group Festival in New York City. Among
the first cast of performers was Donald McKayle
and Arthur Mitchell, whom have both gone on to
become award winning and legendary figures in
American dance along with Mary Anthony. In 2004
Mary Anthony was the recipient of the Bessie
Award for lifetime contribution to the field of
modern dance. The Evolution of Ragtime (1952) was
choreographed by Anna Sokolow, world renowned
choreographer and creator of dance theater. This
work is based on the writings and music of
Ferdinand "Jellyroll" Morton. This comical
quartet for dancers Suellen Haag and Joe Cicala
along with a narrator and pianist, is a humorous
spoof on lecture demonstrations in the 1920's and
'30's, depicting the history of ragtime music and
social dance in America. Anna Sokolow remains one
of the most innovative, uncompromising and
influential modern dance choreographers of the
20th Century, having created dynamic work that
challenges and inspires both performers and
audiences. The program will also present a new
work by Myra Bazell and six company dancers set
to music by Alberto Iglesias. Bazell explores
nonverbal communication as a vehicle for
understanding human behavior. Beyond words, the
nonverbal "channels" seem to be more powerful
than what people say. We react to wordless
messages emotionally, often without knowing why.
In this piece we notice the minutia of nonverbal
behavior because their details reveal how we
relate to each other, and who we think we are.
Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers' (Philadelphia), a
contemporary dance company that was formerly
based in New York City, is pleased to announce
the premier of its new work, Crossing featuring
all Philadelphia-based dancers. This will be the
first public performance of KYL/D (Philadelphia).
Lin' s dancing is known for a "blend of tautness
and buoyancy immediacy with which dance can
communicate deep, conflicting emotions" (New York
Times). Indeed. His choreography, widely
acclaimed by critics and audiences in Taiwan,
China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia,
London, Austria, Mexico, and throughout the
United States, has been described as "deeply
spiritual, remarkable" (Dance Magazine) and
promises to "transportĀus back to the beginning
of humanity and the wellspring of our beings"
(Backstage). In his groundbreaking contemporary
dance works, Lin has developed a personal
movement language that is an unexpected hybridism
between Western and Eastern cultures. Lin draws
upon various influences from his native Taiwan,
such as calligraphy, martial arts, tai chi and
traditional Chinese dance movements, yet
expresses these impulses in a thoroughly
contemporary way, born of his extensive
performance experience in Asia, Europe, New York
and beyond. Crossing is a work inspired by the
challenges and opportunities presented by Mr.
Lin's most recent personal "crossing" - from New
York resident to Philadelphia resident. The work
explores the significance of "crossing," not just
in the geographic sense but also from the
perspective of the cultural, emotional and
personal developmental implications that
transitions bring with them for all people. The
work contains six sections: Crossing, Trapped,
Escape, Surrender?, Crossroads and Be. The work
will feature video by Philadelphia up-and-coming
artist, Olive Prince and a collage of music by
several composers including, Drew Castcallano,
Kenneth Kirschner and Mum. The creation of
Crossing is supported by Temple University and
Dance Advance, a program funded by The Pew
Charitable Trusts and administered by The
University of the Arts.
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Dr. Gail Massey
Room 243 John Morgan Bldg.
Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6082
Ph:215-898-6850; Fax: 215-898-2401
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
