Same Planet Different World Announces Upcoming Performances 3/10-12

Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre (SPDW) offers a program of diverse choreographic voices, including a world premiere, March 10-12, 2011 at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Artistic Director JoAnna Rosenthal's Grey Noise, a work for five dancers inspired by film noir of the 1940s and '50s, depicts individuals craving to make connections by way of manipulation, aggressive behavior, formation of liaisons and cautious observations. The dance fluctuates between aggressiveness, comedic relief, hopeful tenderness and disregard. With its intense physicality and emotionality, Grey Noise depicts an environment inhabited by people on edge, unpredictable and hard to control. The piece is set to the music of Ben Frost, Jori Hulkonnen, Roy Webb and Morphine. Grey Noise was a finalist in The A.W.A.R.D. Show! 2010.

In a world premiere, SPDW performs HIT by Minnesota choreographer and Black Label Movement Artistic Director Carl Flink, which asks the dancers to embrace singular events, such as athletes and fans at a stadium gridiron or around a boxing ring, yet without the goal of victory over an opponent. Collision is the goal itself; HIT allows no middle ground, illusions or deceptions; the collisions are real and the impact felt and heard. The piece is set to an original score by Greg Borsofske.

To Have and To Hold, choreographed by Joanie Smith and Daniel Shapiro and set to an original score by Scott Kylian (SPDW Premiere 2008), takes the audience on a journey of life's fragility; the work evokes feelings of memory, love and loss. "This piece has been a personal favorite of mine for years," said Rosenthal. "While it's totally abstract, it resonates with that feeling of bittersweet memories and poignant longing for something lost."
In addition to the evening performances, SPDW participates in The Dance Center's FamilyDance Matinee Series on Saturday, March 12, featuring a one-hour family-oriented performance preceded by a free parent/child movement workshop with the artists.

Founded in 1997, Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre is dedicated to presenting dance that is evocative and enjoyable. The company's repertoire consists of work from formidable Chicago artists as well as choreographers from across the nation, with styles that incorporate classical and contemporary modern dance, jazz and improvisational experimentation.

Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre performs Thursday-Saturday, March 10-12 at 8 p.m. at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $26-30. The FamilyDance Matinee takes place Saturday, March 12 at 3 p.m., preceded by a free movement workshop at 2:15 p.m. Admission for children 12 and younger is free; tickets for adults are $15. For tickets, call 312-369-8330. For more information about SPDW, visit spdwdance.org.