Welcome back to the Indy’s ADF blog. This year, we’ve revamped our arts blogging as part of a site-wide redesign. We’re not blogging full-time (yet) about the arts, so we decided to create a “seasonal” arts blog that could be activated on big cultural occasions, such as the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and ADF.
Byron Woods is returning to be our primary correspondent from the stages at Reynolds Industries Theater on the Duke University campus and, for the first time, the brand-new Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC).
Last night, Indy arts interns Belem Destefani and Sarah Ewald accompanied me to DPAC to see the technical rehearsal and photo call for RE-, a long-gestating piece by Shen Wei Dance Arts. Of particular interest is the first part, titled “III,” which gets its world premiere this weekend in Durham. Here’s the first of our preview videos.
Reynolds Theater was packed last night as Shen Wei’s dancers floated across the stage with an almost inhuman stoicism in a two piece performance that included Rite of Spring and Folding. A painter, filmmaker, photographer, set and costume designer, and choreographer, Shen Wei’s total concern for all artistic elements moved the full-house audience to a resounding standing ovation. The lack of composure of the spectators stood in contrast to the complete, almost inhuman stoicism of the dancers, who remained in character throughout their intricate and practiced bow, betraying not even a flicker of a smile. Continue reading »
Live arts critic and correspondent Byron Woods previews Shen Wei Dance Arts’ Folding. His company performs it and The Rite of Spring Monday and Tuesday night in Reynolds Theater at 8 p.m.
The first rite of passage for students at the ADF School got underway last night.
Several hundred of this generation’s most promising dancers. Paper numbers pinned to sweaty clothes, like marathon runners. Hurried descriptions and demonstrations—followed by demands for immediate (and perfect) playback. For the chance to dance for the world on the ADF mainstage in the last week of the festival.
Video documentarian Jessye McDowell’s coverage will be with us in a bit. But before that, in 2002 the Indy published my essay on what’s really going on in dance auditions. The same article explored what was really different about auditioning for Shen Wei, during the summer he first presented The Rite of Spring.
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
Reynolds Theater was packed last night as 
