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September 17-19, 2009
Charlotte, N.C. - North Carolina Dance Theatre kicks off its 2009-2010 season of Magnificent Moves with Ballet, Ballroom & Bluegrass in the Belk Theater from Thursday, September 17 until Saturday September 19, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Ballet, Ballroom & Bluegrass is a repertory performance showcasing NC Dance Theatre’s performance range and bringing back three audience favorites. Most notably, President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s critically acclaimed Shindig, which includes a live bluegrass band and was described as having “Lickety-split technique…remarkable precision” by The New York Times.
Ballet
Created specifically for North Carolina Dance Theatre in 1998, Alonzo King’s MAP is a contemporary ballet combining classical and modern-day movement set to music by Arvo Pärt. Challenging dancers and audiences alike, the production demonstrates King’s extensive range and unique style. Called “exquisitely crafted” and “gem-like” by The Charlotte Observer, MAP is a metaphor for the different paths individuals must choose in life.
Alonzo King
In 1982, Alonzo King founded Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, which has developed into an international touring company. King started the LINES Ballet School and Pre-Professional Program to develop the talents of young dancers in 2001. Dedicated to teaching dance, King expanded his educational vision by partnering with the Dominican University of California, creating the West Coast’s first joint B.F.A. program in dance. King has worked with many well-respected dance companies, including Swedish Royal Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Hong Kong Ballet and Washington Ballet. In 2006 he was recognized as one of the 50 outstanding artists in America by the United States Artists organization.
Ballroom
Nine Sinatra Songs combines the Tony Award-winning choreography of Twyla Tharp with a selection of songs from the famous crooner Frank Sinatra. The performance presents 1950s social dancing through the nostalgic yet sharpened perspective of the 1980s.
The production features seven dance couples, each wearing original designs by fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta, and classic Sinatra favorites, including My Way, That’s Life, Something Stupid and Softly As I Leave You. Steven Brown from The Charlotte Observer wrote the performance is “a swanky occasion,” and Elaine Kudo, former Twyla Tharp Dance Company member who staged the production, says it “gives an audience a good sense of who [Tharp] is as a person.”
Twyla Tharp
Choreographer Twyla Tharp founded her dance studio, Twyla Tharp Dance, in 1965. In addition to choreographing for her own studio, she has also choreographed for other companies, including American Ballet Theatre, the Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet and Boston Ballet. She has choreographed more than 135 dances, five Hollywood movies, directed and choreographed three Broadway shows, and written two books. Tharp’s awards include one Tony, two Emmys, the Vietnam Veterans of America President’s Award and the 2004 National Medal of the Arts. Tharp developed the idea for Nine Sinatra Songs following the workings of her Sinatra-inspired duo, Once More Frank and her increasing interest in the methods of turn-of-the-century ballroom dancing.
Bluegrass
Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Shindig returns to Charlotte for the first time in six years. Featuring live bluegrass music from the Greasy Beans, Shindig combines classical ballet steps with a bluegrass twang. Shindig has received critical acclaim and experienced nationwide success. When NC Dance Theatre performed Shindig in New York in 2004, The New York Times wrote, “A lively mix of toe shoes and bluegrass set the audience cheering at the Joyce Theater.” Deborah Jowitt from The Village Voice wrote the performance was “a lot of smartly choreographed showing off and having fun” and Terry Rindfleisch from La Crosse Tribune wrote it combined “explosive ballet and dance mixed just right with funk, folk, blues and bluegrass music.”
As one of NC Dance Theatre’s signature pieces, Shindig was most recently performed as part of cARTwheels, a North Carolina Arts Council initiative, which provides arts programs for elementary school children. “I’m very traditional. But somehow I just discovered bluegrass by chance through a friend of mine, and it felt natural to put steps on that, with women on pointe and guys in boots. The piece is really relaxed and really fun,” said Bonnefoux.
Greasy Beans
Greasy Beans is a five-piece, 12-year-old bluegrass band based in Asheville, N.C. The group has a unique style combining the sound of traditional bluegrass music with a modern twist. Greasy Beans has received praise nationwide with The Washington Post labeling group members as “five fierce musicians” and The New York Times calling it “a savvy bluegrass band.”
Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux
Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, born in France, began his dance training at age 10 at the School of the Paris Opera Ballet. At age 14, Bonnefoux joined the company of the Paris Opera Ballet, and by age 21, he was named Danseur Etoile, a title reserved for the most distinguished dancers in France. In 1970, Bonnefoux was invited by George Balanchine to join the New York City Ballet as principal dancer. During his 10 years with the company, he performed more than 40 ballets, including principal roles created for him by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Since 1983 Bonnefoux has been the artistic director, resident choreographer and principal teacher for the dance program at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y., where he has choreographed more than 60 ballets and developed a national program of intensive training for young dancers. Bonnefoux joined NC Dance Theatre as artistic director in 1996 and was named president in 2003. He has greatly expanded the repertoire, increased the size of the company, commissioned choreographers from around the world and created more than 20 ballets.
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Also in September
North Carolina Dance Theatre presents Once Upon A Time on September 19 and 20, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the Belk Theater. Choreographed by Mark Diamond, program director of NC Dance Theatre 2, the performance begins with a grandfather reading his granddaughter beloved bedtime stories. As the grandfather dozes off, the little girl’s imagination runs wild and her bedtime stories come to life and become intermingled. Once Upon A Time features appearances by classic characters including Little Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan, the Ugly Duckling, and the Tortoise and the Hare. The classic characters don’t always follow their traditional story lines, resulting in a hilarious adventure. Presented by McGuire Woods LLP.
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Details
North Carolina Dance Theatre has established itself as one of America’s premier dance companies. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, NC Dance Theatre is based on strong dancers, high energy and a versatile repertoire that ranges from classical ballet to bold contemporary works. NC Dance Theatre School of Dance parallels the professional company’s tradition of excellence.
North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported, in part, with operating support by the Arts & Science Council. Dance Theatre is also supported by individuals, corporations, and local and national foundations, the North Carolina Arts Council, ArtsTeach, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
To find out more about NC Dance Theatre visit ncdance.org. |
