The A.W.A.R.D. show
I saw 4 sets of a modern dance competion at Joyce Soho, last Sunday night. The A.W.A.R.D. which is artists with audience responding 2 dance, is where the audience selects which dance groups go on to the next round. Apparently at the final stage, their were “professionals” that decided who won and not the audience. But their was wine and cheese at the end. I don’t often understand what goes on in modern dance and what the choreographer’s plan is. I do like the multi media explorations that are incorporated and that there is complete freedom for dancers to decide what they want to do, instead of having to follow ballet or Indian classical dance traditions.
The first dance was by Pele Bauch, titled Pedestal, it was beautiful and lyrical, with a lot of flowing movement by two flexible and beautiful dancers.
The second dance was Pinchas, the Fish-people and the Great flood by Tami Stronach
It started with a man walking across the stage with a boat on his head. Then two dancers in fish like costumes danced on stage. This was followed by a conversation with two birds, which was comedic. The birds spoke in bird language, and the soundtrack was of other birds responding to them. Then they opened a trunk with an egg in it, and the egg broke and they had another conversation about it while slurping the egg. The soundtrack was then of an Israeli singer with a deep gravelly voice.
The third piece was called the Hershey Man, which was a violent piece about shop lifting and the man being beaten, the music was very strong and the dance was dynamic and powerful.
The last piece Queen-tet was 5 women in uniform performing with military style music. I really had no idea what was going on, but it seemed like it was about violence, power and the effects of brutality. But I could be completely wrong!
The program accompanied a sheet which I found useful. It said - some questions to ponder as you watch this evening’s performance.
-What was your first Impression?
-Was their a clear vision/direction?
-Was the choreography engaging?
-Does the music/soundtrack support the dance?
-How was the use of space
-Timing/phrasing of movement and the composition
-Was the movement original? What is original anyway?
-How were the performers?
-Did the piece evoke or provoke any emotions in you?
-Were you left thinking?
-Did it leave you wanting more?
The liberty (Freedom) big tutu prize was won by Tami Stronach, all the others got liberty small tutus. (The prize was a statue of liberty in a tutu)
The first dance was by Pele Bauch, titled Pedestal, it was beautiful and lyrical, with a lot of flowing movement by two flexible and beautiful dancers.
The second dance was Pinchas, the Fish-people and the Great flood by Tami Stronach
It started with a man walking across the stage with a boat on his head. Then two dancers in fish like costumes danced on stage. This was followed by a conversation with two birds, which was comedic. The birds spoke in bird language, and the soundtrack was of other birds responding to them. Then they opened a trunk with an egg in it, and the egg broke and they had another conversation about it while slurping the egg. The soundtrack was then of an Israeli singer with a deep gravelly voice.
The third piece was called the Hershey Man, which was a violent piece about shop lifting and the man being beaten, the music was very strong and the dance was dynamic and powerful.
The last piece Queen-tet was 5 women in uniform performing with military style music. I really had no idea what was going on, but it seemed like it was about violence, power and the effects of brutality. But I could be completely wrong!
The program accompanied a sheet which I found useful. It said - some questions to ponder as you watch this evening’s performance.
-What was your first Impression?
-Was their a clear vision/direction?
-Was the choreography engaging?
-Does the music/soundtrack support the dance?
-How was the use of space
-Timing/phrasing of movement and the composition
-Was the movement original? What is original anyway?
-How were the performers?
-Did the piece evoke or provoke any emotions in you?
-Were you left thinking?
-Did it leave you wanting more?
The liberty (Freedom) big tutu prize was won by Tami Stronach, all the others got liberty small tutus. (The prize was a statue of liberty in a tutu)
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