history of unforgetting

October 3rd - October 4th

Drawing inspiration from a 2,000 year old tradition practiced by South Asian female temple-court artists, history of unforgetting acknowledges the artistic contributions while exploring their multifaceted identity. Using a contemporary movement vocabulary rooted in the North Indian classical dance technique, Kathak, history of unforgetting explores the hierarchy and exploitation inherent in the tradition of temple-court arts along with the displacement suffered by these artists during colonization.

The system of temple-court artists was created to serve as high entertainment for a patriarchal society, educating women to become great artists of poetry, music, and dance. Later, when the tradition was outlawed by the British, the temple-court artists were ostracized from society, their honor and identity questioned. With their patronage ended, many were forced into prostitution to survive.

Although the classical art forms were later revived and have regained its place in South Asian culture today, the cultural elites who learned the arts never fully acknowledged their teachers, fearing the old stigmas. “history of unforgetting” illustrates the injustices these women have had to endure, while shedding light to their contributions to the South Asian art forms that continue to flourish today.

The parul shah dance company based in New York City builds upon Kathak’s storytelling roots. Their vision has gained widespread recognition for highlighting the expressive power of Indian classical dance through an innovative movement vocabulary reflecting the experiences of today. Lead by choreographer Parul Shah, her works have been presented at major venues around the world, including City Center’s Fall for Dance, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C, and international venues in Asia and Europe.

Friday, October 3rd at 8pm
Saturday, October 4th at 2pm and 8pm* (reception to follow evening performance)
Tickets: $25, $18 for students
*Reception ticket: $30 (use “PARTY” code when purchasing), $23 for students (use “PARTYS” code when purchasing)

CT Meets NY

October 24th - October 25th

Now in its 4th year CT MEETS NY DANCE FEST brings together a wide range of emerging and established choreographers and their companies in one exciting weekend of performances. Offering two unique programs with cutting edge choreography and a diverse collection of styles, ‘CT MEETS NY’ gives a wide angle view of 21st century modern dance, delighting and educating audiences in both NYC and CT.

Friday Program: Oct 24

Mitzi Adams/Adams Company Dance
James Robey/James Robey Dance
Cindy Bernier/BernierDance
Robin Rapoport/Headless Whorse Dance
Isabel Gotzkowsky/Isabel Gotzkowsky & Friends
Lane Gifford/Lane & Co.
Mary Ann Wall/RedWall Dance Theater
Sasha Soreff/Sasha Soreff Dance Theater
Tracie Stanfield/Synthesis Dance Project

Saturday Program: Oct 25

Cindy Bernier/BernierDance
Emily Berry/B3W
Catherine Gallant/Catherine Gallant Dance Caron Eule/C. Eule Dance
Daniela Hoff/Daniela Hoff Dance Company
Katie Stevinson-Nollet/Full Force Dance Theater
Nejla Yatkin/NY2Dance
Nikole Lachioma/The Parker Project Courtney Ffrench/Vissi Dance Theater

Tickets:
Fri October 24 | 8pm
Sat October 25 | 8pm

AMERICAN DANCE GUILD PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL 2008

September 11th - September 14th

The AMERICAN DANCE GUILD PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL 2008 offers a feast of new choreography along with tributes to two modern masters, Murray Louis and Anna Sokolow. The Opening Night Gala on Thursday, September 11th, will include a special tribute to living dance legend, Murray Louis. Guest artist Peter Kyle will dance Mr. Louis’ Frail Demons, and former Louis company member Betsy Fisher returns to New York, from Hawaii, to dance a solo from Figura. Mr. Louis will be present. A reception will follow the performance.

Friday September 12th continues the excitement with works by the inimitable Anna Sokolow. the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble will present Session For Six, a jazz-influenced work, and the mesmerizing, final quartet from Lyric Suite two works that demonstrate Sokolow’s astounding range and musicality. Also on Friday, Kun-Yang Lin will perform Dedication, a tribute to Patricia Nanon of The Yard, longtime supporter of ADG.

The festival offers a stellar roster of wildly diverse and intergenerational choreographers—the antic Pooh Kaye, meditative Nai-Ni Chen, Laban-influenced Bill Evans, lyrical Thomas/Ortiz Dance and outspoken Alexandra Beller, to highlight only a few. The Louis and Sokolow works will be repeated on subsequent programs, and on Sunday Louis’ Porcelain Dialogues will be performed by the original cast members—directed by Janis Brenner. Over forty companies and artists from New York City and across the United States will perform, with works ranging from modern to post-modern to performance art to cultural hybrids. The five programs revel in the cross currents of contemporary dance styles. See www.americandanceguild.org for complete program information.

Each evening in the lobby, videos of Mr. Louis’ and Ms. Sokolow’s work will be shown.

In addition to the public performances, three master classes are planned for Thursday through Saturday afternoons. Kun Yang Lin will teach on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2-4pm; Alberto Del Saz of the Nikolais/Louis Foundation will teach class on Friday, Sept. 12, 2-4pm; and Jim May of Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble will teach on Saturday, Sept.13, 12-2pm. Check www.americandanceguild.org for location after September 1st.

American Dance Guild Performance Festival 2008 continues the Guild tradition of bringing together artists from across the nation and internationally for performances and master classes. Come celebrate the dancers of the present, savor the accomplishments of the past, and look into the future!

Tickets:
Thurs September 11 | 8pm
Fri September 12 | 8pm
Sat September 13 | 3pm and 8pm
Sun September 14 | 3pm

Photo by Rebecca Rice Dance by Lois Greenfield 2005