(photo: Rose Mattrey)

(photo: Rose Mattrey)

(photo: Rose Mattrey)

(photo: Rose Mattrey)

Passion and Purpose collide in the so titled, first solo dance concert of Amy Taravella on Wednesday, July 26 at the Church on Delaware Avenue. The veteran artist gathers her life experience and passion for dance together in an evening of performance, making full use of the Church’s architecture and varied spaces as a world in which to lead the audience through her journey. Taravella brings with her a slew of talent, including film by Toronto filmmaker Michael Stecky, installations of visual art by Catherine Linder Spencer and David Butler and music by David Kane. She also brings in a handful of dancers to accompany her occasionally on stage.

The dances range in style and emotion from heavy modern works by Anna Sokolow and Carla Maxwell, to a light and humorous contemporary work made for Taravella by New York City choreographer Matt Williams, and finally postmodern freedom in collaboration with choreographer Gerry Trentham.

Taravella will premiere a new etude (a short dance) created by Carla Maxwell, artistic director of the internationally recognized José Limón Dance Company. This dance, titled Limón Etude, is of the formal, modern tradition. Taravella went through special training in the Limón technique in order to learn and perform the piece.

A dance created by Anna Sokolow in 1985 is the centerpiece of the evening. This dance takes the traditional Jewish lament, Kaddish, traditionally performed by men, and turns it into a celebration of life performed by a woman. A piece by Maurice Ravel, the early 20th century classical composer, was chosen for the dance. Taravella says of this work, “It is very theatrical and timely, even though it is older...the dance describes the weight of mourning and acknowledges that life goes on.”

Gossamer, created nine years ago by Leslie Wexler, co-director of Buffalo Contemporary Dance with Taravella, has been updated for this performance and includes both women’s daughters as little butterflies. The piece is demanding of Taravella with rapid music and movement throughout.

Who’s Got the Pain was created by Matt Williams, who joins Taravella in the performance on July 26. It’s a short, fun piece performed to “Gum Shoe Mambo” from the musical Damn Yankees.

This concert is three years in the making. Taravella says of the project, “Every artist needs to do this, to take their [life] journey into their art form and share it with an audience, even if it is for just one night.” The performance takes place at the Church on Delaware Avenue Wednesday, July 26 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30, $25 for members of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center.