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
Getting Ghosted
Kim Fu’s latest novel turns a rain-soaked Pacific Northwest winter into the backdrop for a story about grief and loneliness.
In their latest novel, Seattle-based author Kim Fu gets one thing right about the Pacific Northwest: the rain. Set during a particularly bleak winter, The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts tells the story of Eleanor Fan, an online therapist grappling with the recent loss of her mother, Lele. After Lele’s passing, Eleanor inherits money to put…
Go See Diné Artist Eric-Paul Riege’s Largest Show to Date at the Henry Art Gallery
With a mix of mediums, ojo|-|ólǫ́ examines questions surrounding the authenticity and ownership of Indigenous work.
It’s a phrase that’s been drilled into most of us since we were young children: When you’re visiting a gallery, please, do not touch the art. In many cases, it’s with good reason: the pieces on display are fragile, one-of-a-kind, or historic works that cannot be reproduced. It’s such an ingrained approach to the museum-going…
Rearview Mirror: Ballet’s Saddest Story, New Art in the Sculpture Park, and a Home-Grown Wine Label Promoting Social Justice
Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).
Circular Thinking I am very lucky to live just a 12-minute walk away from Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s a regular destination for my weekly walks and, aside from the world-class art, has one of the city’s best views of Puget Sound. Earlier this week, I went on a wet, windy walk and discovered…
Studio Sessions: Gabriel Stromberg
For his current show at studio e gallery, Gabriel Stromberg explores the challenges of working with clay.
Gabriel Stromberg has been a name about town for nearly two decades. As one of the cofounders of design firm Civilization (where he was the creative director and lead designer from 2008 to 2022), Stromberg worked on many award-winning projects, helped produce the wildly popular and always packed Design Lecture Series, and co-created and moderated…