Jennifer Fried - Page 2

Traveling from St. Louis, Modern American Dance Company, or MADCO, performed three works by former company member turned choreographer, Joseph Mills, that blended theatre, dance, and sculpture, creating a diverse and entertaining evening.

La Fille Mal Gardee is one of the oldest works of modern ballet, originally choreographed by Jean Dauberval in 1789 for the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux. Dauberval found inspiration for the piece in Pierre-Antoine Baudouin's painting of an older lady reprimanding a younger girl in a hay barn, while her lover runs off with haste. The resulting ballet was a comic delight.

Contemporary Ballet powerhouse, Nederlands Dans Theatre, captured live the May 8th performance of four ballets. The resulting film is a magical mixture of live performances, complemented with interviews from dancers and choreographers, creating an intimate and intellectual viewing of the ballets.

Manhattan Youth Ballet's spring recital showcased a diverse array of American choreography, performed by students ages eight to eighteen. The evening was a an interesting historical journey, reminding the audience that the art form has, and will, continue to evolve.

Adam Barruch captivated audiences at Joe's Pub this week in his one man show, My Name is Barbra ADAM. From the moment Barruch stepped on stage, he was fully committed to the character of a mental patient, conveyed incisively through contemporary dance numbers. Utilizing a small space, Barruch moved exquisitely, whether it was a small hand gesture or a huge lunge. His movement, at times quick and spastic, at other times fluid and controlled, communicated the agony a mental patient experiences when locked in a room alone with his derailed thoughts. Though he executed no large jumps or dizzying turns, his choreography was breathtaking and certainly the highlight of the show.

The final Friday's at noon performance at the 92Y featured a presentation of works by Douglas Dunn, Jordan Isadore and Christopher Williams. Although each choreographer's work was unique and distinct, a common thread emerged amongst the three in their concept and creation.

Wishing to escape the chaos of the city and the summer heat in a relaxing garden while viewing free art? Look no further than La Salvatore La Russa Dance Theatre, where each Sunday different dance companies perform. This week, ignoring the threat of a thunderstorm, dance lovers congregated to watch Double Take Dance Company. Founded by Ashley Carter and Vanessa Martinez de Baños, the company strives to create and present new fusions of contemporary movement that are accessible to both dancers and non-dancers. Each performer offers his unique artistry and athleticism to interpret the work as an individual within the group

Katy Pyle has broken and rewritten every rule of classical ballet in her recreation of the Ballets Russes staple, The Firebird, performed as part of Danspace Project at St Mark's Church in the Bowery. Pyle's term "ballez," certainly seems fitting. Her choreography utilizes the classical ballet vocabulary, but in novel and audacious ways, leaving her audience entertained and laughing out loud. Her work intellectually explores the gay experience both within society and the world of dance, creating a space in which anyone who has ever felt like an outcast could relate.

After traveling through Europe, Africa and Asia, Battery Dance Company returned home to New York City for its 37th season, performing and offering workshop classes. Members of the company have made it their mission to offer instruction on proper dance technique and choreography to regions where no formal dance education is available. These trips inspired the company to create new and exciting works, which fuse traditions of folkdance with modern and ballet technique.

On Friday, May 17, 2015, choreographers, dancers, and dance enthusiasts-old and young-gathered together at the 92nd Street Y to remember the elegant maverick of modern dance, Pauline Koner. The afternoon featured four reconstructions of Koner's choreography, along with a 1949 video of her dancing To complete the celebration, Koner's students, dancers, music composers, and tour managers spoke briefly about her life and the wisdom she passed down to them.

Alison Chase, known for founding the movement collective Pilobolus, bravely presented her creative process before an audience at the 92nd Street Y. In 2008, Alison Chase founded Alison Chase Performance, a platform to explore interdisciplinary work utilizing film, photography, live music and museum installations.

Royal Ballet offers audiences an exciting backstage glimpse into the creation of their first full length commission in 16 years, Alice and Wonderland.