Danse Lumiere at the Martha Graham Dance Center on 5/14:
Dancers Grace Scheffel and Charlie Klesa in Reisen's "Signs"
Dancers Aoi Sato, Rayan Lecurieux-Durival and Jared Stern
in Roszak's "Undercurrent"
Dancers Grace Scheffel, Charlie Klesa, Tiit Helimets, Aoi Sato, Rayan Lecurieux-Durival, Jared Stern, and Gwen Ontiveros
See review from New York City Performance: https://markkappeldance.com/newsnotes-dance-blog/
Further commentary:
"Artistic Director and choreographer Kathryn Roszak, visual artist Anna Sidana and choreographer Gianna Reisen come from different backgrounds, each finding her way through her respective field. Roszak trained in ballet and theater, and has been choreographing for many years. Sidana worked in the financial sector, but left to follow her heart into the visual arts. It was risky, but the bigger the risk the bigger the reward, as evidenced in her beautiful paintings. Reisen is an up-and-coming choreographer. At age 18, she is the youngest person to stage a ballet for NY City Ballet.
Aoi Sato piece…had a pleasing simplicity and femininity.
The dance that followed, “Signs” by Gianna Reisen, is a true pas de deux, with strong classical elements. It is so satisfying to see clear lines and good position, as well as lovely partnering. NYC Ballet dancers Grace Scheffel and Charlie Klesa easily conveyed the dynamic of resistance and release which fired the piece. Uncluttered by overwrought emotion, “Signs” stayed on the human level, reinforcing the connection between the dancers without becoming solipsistic.
Next, Kathryn Roszak debuted her newest solo work “Contretemps”, danced by Tiits Helimets, a former principal of the San Francisco Ballet. “Contretemps,” an homage to Leonardo da Vinci, the portrait of Dr. Pozzi by John Singer Sargent and a contemporary man…Helimets is wonderful to watch. You can feel the strength of his technique in every perfect pirouette and legato gesture, alternately anguished and relaxed. He extends every move beyond its line, which elevates the work. “Contretemps” is set to several pieces of music, including a beautiful Notturno by Arnold Schoenberg.
The last piece, “The Unanswered Question,” also by Roszak…portrayed parallel and contrasting emotional stories. Chaos would turn to jazz, which transformed the choreography from angst to sensuality, emphasizing the differences between the two couples. Jazz with a touch of dystopia, as the music ended on a sadder, indeed a questioning note."
-Sarah Downs
UPCOMING San Francisco Bay Area Performance at Sausalito Center for the art on 5/20, 3pm
More information and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-wonders-opening-day-reception-tickets-634669552717
UPCOMING San Francisco Bay Area Performance at Tam Juncktion on 5/20, 7pm
See more information below:
