Dance	This Month in Dance by Jennifer Golonka

Performing this month are four wildly diverse companies, ranging from classical and contemporary ballet to cabaret-style modern dance. This jam-packed calendar of events begins with The Cell Phone Show, a multi-layered dance presentation by the Buffalo-based Nimbus Dance. The Center for the Arts continues to stimulate the dance culture by ushering in three great companies this month. We begin with the classic lines and elegant beauty of Swan Lake, performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet. Next up is the high paced dancing of BJM danse, the modern jazz company from Montreal. Finally, the neo-classical ballet of Configurations Dance, as they present another dynamic repertory program.

Nimbus Dance's "The Cell Phone Show" opens next weekend.

(photo: Stirling Kidd)

Nimbus Dance:

The Cell Phone Show

Always stimulating the senses, The Cell Phone Show combines three screen video backdrops, live music, dance and spoken word…you might even get a granola bar. Written and directed by Brad Wales and Beth Elkins, this cabaret-style show uses current events to delve into such topics as our love affair with cell phones, personal freedom, surveillance, food and the growing crisis of climate change. Tackling these issues are dancers Beth Elkins, Jennifer Golonka and Kerry Ann Ring, as well as singer/actress Theresa Baker. As with all Nimbus productions, the choreography is done collaboratively, bringing about new and unique styles of dance. Joining the cast for the second time is Buffalo’s own composer, musician and bandleader David Kane. Kane’s hauntingly beautiful score will be performed live in the midst of the performance. All of this takes place in front of an interactive video backdrop created by Brian Milburn and Brad Wales. This distinctive layering effect allows the audience to interact and become a part of the show. Performed at Gallery 164 on Allen Street, the cast uses their unconventional surroundings to add yet another layer to The Cell Phone Show. Turn your ringers on at the door and enjoy the show.

The Moscow Ballet's "Swan Lake"

(photo: Larissa Pedenchuk)

Love at the Lake

Ask anyone to name a ballet and Swan Lake will surely be his/her answer. For some, naming the ballet may come easier than recalling its story. In it you’ll find the young Prince Siegfried falling in love with Odette, an enchanting women transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer. Odette is to remain this way until she is rescued by the undying love of a man. The Prince finds himself overcome by the swan’s beauty and declares his eternal love for her only to be tricked by a sorcerer into confessing his love for Odette’s evil twin sister. Realizing that he has been betrayed, the Prince rushes back to the lake to battle the sorcerer and is trimupently reunited with his love, Odette. This ballet captures the winding road of human emotions like no other. From hope to despair, melancholy to ecstasy, the audience will find itself captivated by the beauty and passion of Swan Lake.

Bolshoi Ballet star Sergei Radchenko has been bringing together amazing talent since 1989, when he founded the Moscow Festival Ballet. Radchenko’s artistic direction has breathed new life into the classics.

Le Jazz Hot

BJM danse/Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal is a contemporary jazz company that has been reinventing itself since 1972. Founded by pioneering Quebec dance artists Geneviève Salbaing, Eva Von Gencsy and Eddy Toussaint, this company strives to keep the improvisational spirit of jazz alive by intertwining classic styles of dance with fresh, hip choreographers. This continuously changing company has found new artistic inspiration in Louis Robitailla, who joined BJM danse/Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal in 1998. Under his direction, the company provides original dance styles that are vibrant and fused with elements of the avant-garde. “This company’s performances express the creative energy of young choreographers, and the technique and interpretive zing of its excellent dancers.” Three decades of remarkable performances have allowed this company to flourish into an internationally acclaimed company.

Les Ballet Jazz DE Montreal.

Inventive Programming

Repertory concerts allow the audience to sample many different styles of dance. One choreographer may choose music by Handel, another the jazzy keys of Dave Brubeck. The movement, as with the music, is also personal. With each choreographer bringing a distinct voice and style to his/her pieces, repertory shows often end up very exciting and diverse. Configurations Dance is performing a wonderful concert, including works from four different choreographers. The program, directed by co-founder Joe Cipolla, opens with Awakenings, a Michael Shannon one-act ballet that is danced to and inspired by Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Configurations resident choreographer Harrison McEldowney has created the next piece, Enredando Sombras. We experience the marriage of words, music and movement as the dancers interpret the poetry of Pablo Neruda and the music of Luis Bacalou. Emerging choreographer Sasha Janes takes the stage next with his duet Lascia la Spina, Cogli la Rosa, set to the music of Handel. Ending the evening is Yuri Zhukov’s No Time Jazz. Local jazz band Babik will be playing live.