In this section: Reconstructions: Donald McKayle’s Games and Past/Forward’s showings of Laura Dean, Hanya Holm and Erick Hawkins; a girlchild education of a different sort by Jiri Kylian; Maguy Marin’s umwelt; plus the new stuff — good, bad and ugly — by Mark Dendy, Larry Keigwin, Robert Battle. Oh, and Paul Taylor. Among others.
Okay, let’s take stock for a moment. We’ve seen dozens of works by hundreds of performers over seven full weeks of modern dance.
One thing’s for certain: It’s not all going to fit into that suitcase.
So as we start to pack up the 2008 ADF Season, we’ve got to think for a second.
1. What are the works and moments youplan to keep? The best, the most insightful, entertaining, or instructive?
2. Which are you going to leave behind? The distinctly less than best, less useful, and the thanks-I-did-(or- saw)-it-once-and-that-will-do things?
3. And which of this season’s experiences are going to give you the hardest time choosing?
We’ll have our thoughts on these in our ADF Wrap, next week on the website and in the print edition of the Independent Weekly. But right now, it’s your turn.
What’s already in your famous blue suitcase? What’s going in? What can’t you decide on? Post your thoughts in Comments, below.
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Excerpts in this video preview from Martha Graham Dance Company’s performance of Steps in the Streets at the 2008 ADF. The opening introduction is by the company’s artistic director, Janet Eilber.
“Usually, when foreign companies appear at ADF, they shed considerable light on the present. Their work discloses how contemporary and experimental dance have developed under different conditions in different cultures, and how they address those cultures’ present concerns.”
“Though it was unintentional, to be sure, Thursday night’s performances—and particularly the post-show artist/audience talkbacks—repeatedly underscored the past instead.”
“I was relieved that I didn’t understand, because it forced me to remain constantly engaged in the piece.” The translator for last night’s post-performance discussion with the Argentine foursome, Compañía Contenido Bruto was not the only one watching the U.S. premiere of their piece, Kevental who did not understand. Bruto’s performance was saturated with complexities and intricacies, such as layered sound scores and several long periods of silence. Continue reading »
ADF administration reported $1,425 in donations toward the SunTrust Carolinas Group Foundation challenge grant of $6,500 to cover the travel costs of the Argentine dance companies left high and dry by Marca Argentina on June 19 after its February commitment to bring them here. The sordid story thus far can be read here and here.
Meanwhile, Danciti.com’s coverage of the story alleges that the festival has actually been adding performances by the companies while it has threatened to cancel the series. The New York city dance blog further accuses the festival of “bullying third world countries” and “using [the event] as (sic) ploy for sympathy and money.” That sordid story can be read here.
ADF associate director Jodee Nimerichter announced Monday afternoon that the Argentine festival of performances is back on the schedule for the 2007 American Dance Festival.
The week of performances by five companies and choreographersslated for July 5-10 was suddenly endangered last week when Marca Argentina, an Argentine government agency, informed ADF on June 19 that it was backing out of a February agreement to fund the companies’ travel to the United States. The development left 14 of the 19 scheduled Argentine dancers from Grupo Krapp, Compania Contenido Bruto, and Edgardo Mercado, Gabriela Prado and Eugenia Estevez, without plane tickets to the United States.
But Monday, the SunTrust Foundation issued a challenge grant in the amount of $6,500 to help bridge the estimated $14,000 deficit. And good news came from another quarter: American Airlines announced it would donate a ticket to cover one of the dancers and offer discounts on the rest.
“We feel we can move forward now,” said Nimerichter, “and as you can imagine, the companies really need to know if they’re coming at this point.”
At press time, the festival had already received $975 in community donations to make up the difference. Patrons can contribute to the fund by phone with a major credit card or by mailing a contribution marked “Argentine Festival” to Box 90772, DurhamNC27708.
Uh-oh. Week five of the American Dance Festival, which was to be given over to four dance companies from Argentina, may be in severe jeopardy.
The festival is announcing tonight that travel funding to Compania Contenido Bruto, Gabriela Prado & Eugenia Estevez; Edgardo Mercado and Krapp has been denied by the Argentine government’s newly formed Marca Argentina, an agency chartered to promote that country’s culture abroad.
In a press release issued Wednesday evening, festival director and president Charles L. Reinhart said, “The news was shocking. We were so excited to bring the companies to an American audience. … It is deeply disappointing and ironic that an agency that had been created to showcase its national talent then makes it impossible to so.”
The four companies were scheduled to perform at Durham’s American Dance Festival from July 5-10. No reason has been given yet for the withholding of travel funds.
Lisa Creech Bledsoe on "Notes from IgniteRaleigh: To be a spark, and not to be rickrolled": "Speed dating for the tech set," funny! Nice write up of an incredible event. I'm voting for Scrubby next year. Scrub-by, Scrub-by, Scrub-by!
Lisa aka @glowbird (the boxing chick)
DK on "Notes from IgniteRaleigh: To be a spark, and not to be rickrolled": Just moved back to the Triangle from Seattle, which is where Ignite started. It kind of caught on and blew up really fast, and organizers had to keep upping the venue.
I think people have been looking for this kind of cabaret for a while. They like going somewhere and being a crowd together, and it's
Christine Fawley on "Notes from IgniteRaleigh: To be a spark, and not to be rickrolled": A fabulous night highlighting the diversity of talent and intellectual pursuits here in the Triangle. An event like this could be held every month and still barely scratch the surface of the passions of our community.
We were honored to be included and appreciated the support and enthusiasm of the crowd as we delivered "20
Part II of the 2008 Season Review is here. 
