Aerial Dance Theater will present its annual May concerts on Friday-Saturday, May 21-22, at 8 p.m. at Hope College's Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland.
Aerial Dance Theater will present its annual May concerts on Friday-Saturday, May 21-22, at 8 p.m. at Hope College's Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland.
The concert will feature three companies: Aerial Dance Theater, The Holland Chorale and Butler Chamber Dance.
Linda Graham, co-artistic director of Aerial, will present "Thread" to the music "Past Life Melodies" by Sarah Hopkins. The piece is a collaboration with the Holland Chorale, under the direction of Gary Bogle, which will provide live accompaniment. "Thread" is a study of the thread of life that connects those of the present to their ancestors and descendants.
Steven Iannacone, co-artistic director of Aerial, presents a restaging of the repertory piece titled "De Tuin der Lusten (The Garden of Earthly Delights)." Inspired by Hieronymus Bosch's painting by the same name, the piece incorporates three commissioned paintings by local artists Joel VanderKamp and Matt Morgan. The piece represents an evolution of environment and an exploration of community, harmony and celebration. It was originally produced to highlight the influence of Dutch arts and culture.
"Esa Sociedad" is being presented as part of the ongoing collaborative venture with GrossoModo and the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. The piece was choreographed by guest choreographer José Luis Hernández and set on the company by his wife, Eva Pardave, a dancer with GrossoModo. It is a dramatic and emotional exploration of a relationship with three people locked in conflict. The piece was double cast and will feature different Aerial Dancers each evening.
As part of the joint venture, Aerial dancer Tim Heck will be joining GrossoModo in June as a featured artist dancing in a new work by Christina Medellín, artistic director, recreating his role in "Bolero" and premiering a new solo choreographed by Steven Iannacone titled "Unwritten Letter."
Sharing in the concert is Butler Chamber Dance of Butler University. Aerial collaborated in concert with the company in Indianapolis, Ind., in November of 2003. Butler Chamber Dance will perform two pieces. "Love Letters" by Cynthia Pratt incorporates text by playwright/author Sam Shepard. "A Haunted Landscape" by Norman Walker also explores the environment as a place with a special aura haunted by spirits.
The concerts will feature lighting and technical design by Erik Alberg.
The dancers from Aerial and Butler will also be available for question-and-answer sessions following the performances.
Tickets will be available at the door, and cost $7 for regular adult admission, $5 for senior citizens and students, with admission free for children 12 and under.
Support for the performances is given by the Holland Area Arts Council, Hope College Patrons for the Arts, the Hope College Department of Dance, Aerial Angels, Butler University and the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. 8th St.