Food & Drink
Seattle Spring Arts Preview 2014: Dance Events
These dance performances delve into the good, bad, beautiful and bracing aspects of being human
By Seattle Mag February 14, 2014
This article originally appeared in the March 2014 issue of Seattle magazine.
!–paging_filter–pSiddhartha’s quest for enlightenment is the inspiration for Songs of the Wanderers, a masterwork by Taiwanese choreographer Lin Hwai-min. Performed by his own Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, this blend of contemporary and traditional dance features a stunning set covered in 3 and a half tons of golden rice. 3/6–3/8. Times and prices vary. Meany Hall, U.W. campus, near the intersection of 15th Avenue NE and NE 40th Street; 206.543.4880; a href=”http://www.meany.org” target=”_blank”meany.org/a iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/2s-kWMapYCM” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen/iframestrong/strong Only five dancers have ever performed choreographer Molissa Fenley’s grueling and gorgeous solo, State of Darkness: the choreographer herself (1988), img src=”/sites/default/files/newfiles/0314_dance2.jpg” style=”float: left; margin: 10px;” height=”242″ width=”400″PNB director Peter Boal (1999), and PNB dancers Rachel Foster, James Moore and Jonathan Porretta (2007). The latter three will alternate performances for the restaging of this extraordinarily physical work, in which the soloist shape-shifts into primal, animalistic forms as he or she resists the invisible but heavy pull of dark forces. The piece is one of four on the Director’s Choice mixed bill, along with a world premiere by Alejandro Cerrudo of Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance. 3/14–3/23. Times and prices vary. Pacific Northwest Ballet, 301 Mercer St.; 206.441.2424; a href=”http://www.pnb.org” target=”_blank”pnb.org/a em(Photo: Angela Sterling)/em strong/strong Swiss ballet company Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève makes its Seattle debut with Préludes et Fugues by Israeli choreographer Emanuel Gat. Accompanied by a live solo pianist (playing Bach’s Well-tempered Clavier), the piece is a fantastically fluid exploration of human interaction. 4/3–4/5. Times and prices vary. Meany Hall; a href=”http://www.meany.org” target=”_blank”meany.org/a iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/Lg5uAXFzwsA” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen/iframestrong /strongNew York–based Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater never fails to combine a silencing grace with jaw-dropping athleticism. During this appearance, the company will perform Ailey’s signature work, ema href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9uEq9Sjefglist=RDgWJzSP7irwMfeature=shar…” target=”_blank”Revelations (1960), a gloriously visual/a/em, gospel-infused tribute to African-American tenacity and celebration of sweet freedom on the other side of slavery. 4/11–4/13. Times and prices vary. The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St.; 206.682.1414; a href=”http://www.stgpresents.org” target=”_blank”stgpresents.org/a strong/strong Avant-garde French choreographer Alain Buffard died in December, which is all the more reason to see his strange and wondrous “choreographed opera,” Baron Samedi. It’s a prime example of the surreal and scathing works he is known for—a carnivalesque look at the grandest and grittiest truths of humanity, featuring a Haitian high priest of debauchery, a live band and a sloped stage that performers trudge up and tumble down. 5/8–5/11. 8 p.m. $25. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St.; 206.217.9888; a href=”http://www.ontheboards.org” target=”_blank”ontheboards.org/abrbr/p
Follow Us
Book Excerpt: Old White Man Writing
Seattle resident Joshua Gidding examines his own white privilege
In his book, Old White Man Writing, Seattle resident Joshua Gidding attempts to come to terms with his privilege. Gidding grapples with the rapidly changing cultural norms in 21st-century America while examining his own racial biases and prejudices. As Manhattan Book Review notes: “Old White Man Writing is an introspective deep dive into an eventful life…
Glacial Expressions
Local scientist and painter Jill Pelto spotlights climate change in a multi-artist show at Slip Gallery
The divide between the arts and sciences is long-fostered and well-documented. From elementary school onward, children are often singled out for their penchant for math or artistic ability and guided toward classes — and later careers — that align with their right or left brain tendencies. For Jill Pelto — a local climate scientist, painter,…
How Taproot Theatre Survived A Financial Crisis
Theatre is planning for its 50th birthday next year
Karen Lund vividly remembers that sinking feeling she had in the fall of 2023. That was when Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot Theatre Co., first realized that the financially strapped, midsized professional theatre in the Greenwood neighborhood might not survive. The theatre had already weathered the worst of the pandemic, but costs were mounting….
Humanities Washington Fights ‘Midnight’ Cuts
Nonprofit loses previously approved federal grants with little warning
The letter came without warning, like a slap in the face from an invisible hand. Humanities Washington CEO and Executive Director Julie Ziegler had already been talking with peers in other states, and she readied herself for the blow. The National Endowment for the Humanities (think DOGE) had terminated her nonprofit’s previously awarded federal grant…