search citypaper.net
  


There's No Place Like Home
After two years in New Hope, a Tin Man finds the heart of the gallery scene in Philly.
-Juliet Fletcher

Ashes to Ashes
-Susan Hagen

Artsbeat
-Debra Auspitz

The Magic Fire
-Steve Cohen

The Golden Dreydl
-Mary Armstrong

Here's to the Ladies
-David Anthony Fox

Full Speed Ahead
-Toby Zinman

Good Boy Network
-David Anthony Fox

November 27-December 3, 2002

dance

Hometown Phavorites

It's been nearly a year since Philadanco moved to its new stage at the Perelman Theater, and if there was any question whether a) old fans would follow the troupe to Center City, or b) the high-brow Kimmel crowd would give the group a go, the answer is yes on both counts. Faithful fans were clearly in attendance last Friday at the Perelman -- they shouted props to ’danco members, calling them out by name. Attendees behind and beside me remarked that this was their first time seeing the company. Both sets of viewers received Philadelphia’s Philadanco Phavorites with palpable enthusiasm.

The evening kicked off with Suite Otis, choreographed by George Faison and set to music by Otis Redding. Featuring familiar tunes such as "Satisfaction" and "Try a Little Tenderness," the work showcased this ensemble's precision technique in a loose-limbed, soulful context. Suite Otis dates back to 1971, and its movement evokes popular dances of the day, including the boogaloo and the funky chicken. The frolicsome mood was balanced by sexy, sultry gestures meant to imply the complexity of romance.

Natural Flirt, a world premiere choreographed by Trey McIntyre performed to funky melodies by Ramsey Lewis, stepped up the pace up as the dancers, dressed in Day-Glo attire, pranced across the stage for a fast-paced jaunt that's like a scene straight out of a night club. Guys ogled gals as they strutted their stuff. Couples joined and then broke up in comical fashion. While the playful piece had its moments, Natural Flirt seemed disjointed. It felt like McIntyre was rushed for time in putting it together.

Surefootedness returned with Ronald K. Brown's Gatekeepers, where jazz steps merged with African-based ritual gesture -- both styles are staples of this corps. Artful lighting created bar shapes on the floor that offered the dual suggestion of confinement and passageways. Intricate choreography accentuated the company's taut yet supremely flexible bodies, which curled and unfurled with intense expression.

Christopher Huggins' Enemy Behind the Gates, featuring a driving percussive score by Steve Reich, set the dancers off in militaristic formations full of sharp angles and clean lines. With members starting march-like, then breaking out into swirls and scissor-legged extensions, their momentum gradually increased in rhythm to the music. Teeming with entrances and exits, the performance built to a frenzy for a bring-the-house-down finale.

-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there
Recent Comments


search restaurants by name
search by neighborhood
Search
search by cuisine
title
theater

Search
search for:
within:   of  
more jobs
(use zip or city, state)
Search
"Great vision without great people is irrelevant."
—Jim Collins, Author,
"Good to Great"
In Partnership with JobCircle
start date / /  select date
end date / /  select date
category
keyword
Search Buy Concert Tickets
Category:
Keywords: Search

Search Real Estate

ALL | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN

or

LOCATION:

ADVERTISEMENT
Koozies online on
REVIEW: Miro Dance Theatre, 1/30, Painted Bride
`It seem a combination of India and English!` »
baidu on
Eternal Teenager: RIP John Hughes, 1950-2009
`It was something for everyone. Even in Ferris Bueller` »
dmac on
NOW SEE THIS: Al Bundy shakes it to Major Lazer
`Molly, will you help me make a shot-by-shot remake of this scene?` »
Jesse D on
SXSW Day 2: The Labelmakers
`Kill Rock Stars, Merge, and Sub Pop showcases all on the same day. That is just awesome!` »
GODMAN ENZO ferrari, WE SAY JEWS ARE FRIENDS OF MUSLIMSBECAUSE HASRATH ALI WORKED WITH JEWS the holy quran with out rasool a khuda and his family, the book is only worth a car magzine on
SURPRISE!: Urban artists love Obama
`GODMAN ENZO WANTS TO THE THANK PHILADELPHIA'S CITY PAPER FOR GIVING US A CHANCE TO WRITE WHAT WE FELT, SOME VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL COMMENTS RATHER ` »
Vincent Vanroro on
Blahg Humbug
`Maybe we should just offer critiques of the artblahg loser's work instead of pretending we don't know who he is. You can call me VINCENT and I'm just ` »
BC17603 on
BIG UPS: Local designers lovin' on their hometown
`And when you head west to Lancaster, be sure to check out BUiLDiNG CHARACTER, Downtown Lancaster's Creative Outlet with 30+ vendors selling architectural ` »
Passerby on
The Fall Guy
`KB, the reason that high school students are using interpreters is that many of them have lived in the US for only a few months. One thing that news ` »
Melissa Kosmicki on
CONCERT REVIEW: Janelle Monáe @ Johnny Brendas, 3/19
`She really is a star, and it was a privilege to see her in an intimate venue.` »