Jen Golonka, Sherri Campagni and Kerry Ann Ring perform with Nimbus Dance on February 26 at the Albright-Knox.

(photo: Mike Mulley)

American Ballet Theatre Studio Company will be in residence at the University at Buffalo for one week this coming month, sharing their knowledge of dance with UB’s dance department. They will work collaboratively with filmmaker and director of UB’s Center for the Moving Image Elliot Caplan, who will document the creative process of choreographer Brian Reeder’s new piece, Ghost Light. This process is an important aspect of the creative arts which audiences rarely see. The piece has been commissioned by the Center for the Moving Image. In a brief interview, Caplan said that by bringing companies such as the ABT Studio Company to UB, he’s helping to “enliven the field here in Buffalo.”

The Studio Company will perform five fantastic pieces at UB’s Center for the Arts, closing with Reeder’s Ghost Light, which is set to the music of Aaron Copland. The program begins with two pieces by artistic director Kirk Peterson. The first, Eyes That Gently Touch, is set to beautiful music by Philip Glass, and the second, Nocturne, accompanied by Chopin. Following Nocturne is the Adam Hougland piece Vanish, danced to a score by Peteris Vasks.

Proceeds from the February 3 performance at the Center for the Arts will allow the company to travel to New Orleans to perform Ghost Light, as a gift to the people of New Orleans from the city of Buffalo.

Alvin Ailey to perform at Shea’s

February also brings the exciting return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Buffalo. AAADT grew out of a performance in 1958 at the 92nd St. YMCA in New York City to become one of the most successful modern dance companies in the world. The company has performed for almost 21 million people, in 48 states, in 71 countries on six continents.

The two programs at Shea’s Performing Arts Center include five spectacular pieces, each packed with stunning choreography and fearless dancing. Tuesday’s program begins with The River, a legendary collaboration between Alvin Ailey and musical great Duke Ellington, reflecting birth, life and re-birth. Ailey’s choreography combines modern, classical ballet and jazz in an effort to convey the alterability of the water on the journey to the ocean. “The Golden Section” from Twyla Tharp’s The Catherine Wheel follows. Set to the dynamic score by David Byrne, “The Golden Section” is high-velocity dancing that breaks through the limits of physicality. Closing Tuesday’s program is Alvin Ailey’s classic and signature piece Revelations, created in 1960. This piece is a tribute to African-American heritage, set to gospel songs, religious sermons and holy blues. Revelations will have you dancing in your seat, hoping it never ends.

Renee Robinson and Amos J. Machanic Jr. of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, at Shea's on February 13 & 14.

Wednesday’s program contains the same energy. The program begins with Love Stories, a piece set to the music of Stevie Wonder transformed by composer Darrin Ross. It’s choreographed by Ailey Artistic Director Judith Jamison with modern dance trailblazer Robert Battle and hip-hop innovator Rennie Harris. Each choreographer plays his or her role: Jamison the past, Harris the present and Battle the future. These three different sections gel to become one seamless piece. Following Love Stories is Ulysses Dove’s Episodes, an energy-packed piece about the battle of the sexes. Dove’s choreography has the dancers shooting out of the wings to the fantastic score of Robert Ruggieri. Wednesday’s performance also ends with the highly spirited Revelations.

Nimbus @ the Knox—tomorrow night!

On Friday, January 25, Buffalo’s innovative Nimbus Dance presents Windows IV: In Desperate Silence at the Albright Knox Art Gallery. Windows IV takes the audience on a journey through many issues that plague our people: murder, environmental destruction and the silencing of the human voice. This show tells the stories of Christopher Columbus’ genocide of the Arawak Indians, Wangari Matthai’s inspirational program to replant the trees of Kenya and the children who will grow up without families due to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Other stories express the degradation of our natural resources, the human sacrifices for freedom and our search for a better way.

Windows IV combines modern dance, original live music by David Kane and a spoken-word soundtrack to express and describe the many silenced issues and peoples of our world. Dancers include Nimbus regulars Beth Elkins, Jen Golonka, Kerry Ann Ring and Theresa Baker as well as Neglia Ballet principal dancer Sherri Campagni and Buffalo Contemporary Dance co-director Amy Taravella. This collaboration, being held in the sculpture court, is enhanced by the unique set designed by Brad Wales.

This show is part of the wonderful Gusto at the Gallery and is a free event. Seating is limited, and tickets will be available starting at 5pm, on a first-come, first-served basis. This piece is not appropriate for children due to graphic subject matter.

Buffalo native Jennifer Golonka, a freelance dancer and choreographer, has returned home after seven years of living and dancing in New York City. She is excited to be back and writing about her true passion, dance.