As part of this assignment, I attended the UA Dance show: Jazz in AZ. While I enjoyed all of the performances that were presented during the show, I did find that two performances spoke to me more than the others. The two performances I enjoyed most were: —- and —-.
The first dance, —-, was the opening performance of the night, and that may have contributed into what made me like the dance so much. The lights were dark, and everything was silent, until very dim grey lights were turned on, and there was a presence of smoke/fog. This gave an overall creepy or scary vibe, and made me feel more intrigued into what could potentially happen.
As the music started, flashes of bright light occurred, and the audience was visually introduced to
the dancers on the stage. As the flashes of light were turned on, we saw the dancers in one position, then in a new position on the stage as the flash of light returned after being turned off. The lights would turn on in time with the music, which sounded similar to a heart rate monitor in the hospital. This effect added to the overall creepy vibe of the show. The dancers, had very still and serious faces, not a single person smiling or looking anything other than serene and a little spooky. There was a combination of male and female dancers, and all but one of the female dancers were wearing asymmetrical skirts or dresses. The color tones of the costumes were neutral-various shades of beige, white, and grey. The costumes looked like some pieces could pass as urban street clothes, however, there were other pieces that looked as though they had been torn and misused. None of the dancers wore visible shoes. As the performance continued, there were many components that made the dance very aesthetically pleasing. There were times when some of the dancers would move, as others stayed still. This would continue on with combinations of: everybody still, and one dancer moving; everybody moving and one dancer still, adding more dancers staying still; and dancers moving in groups, while other groups stayed still. The seemingly unpredictable combination of dancers moving, and staying still, made me not want to blink, as I may miss when a dancer starts or stops moving. This all led up to all the dancers moving off of the stage, and a couple being paired off as a duet. The couple continued as a duet, until eventually the groups came back onto stage. The lights dimmed again, like in the beginning of the performance, and the only dancers we could clearly see were the duet couple. This led to a visually interesting movement, as we could see all of the dancers, but the focus was on the couple, not the group. As the dancers continued, the lights changed to have the front of the stage clearly lit, and the back of the stage dim. All of the dancers moved and performed, and one-by-one, dancers would stop mid-movement and stand still. This continued on, until most of the dancers were “stuck”, while others continued without notice or bother. The overall idea I got and felt from this performance was a creepy feeling, such as an apocalypse. I felt this due to the lighting, fog effects, costumes, the sound of the music, and the story I tried to pick up from the dance. I felt as though the story was being told in the way the dancers would move, and stop periodically. I thoroughly enjoyed this dance and I still ponder its meaning.
I had the pleasure of being in Western Kentucky University Dance Department’s concert, An Evening of Dance. The performance took place on April 29th through May 2nd in Russel Miller Theatre. It consisted of many works from faculty and guest artists. I felt like the concert was a success and that the choreography was all unique in its own way. I enjoyed the pieces that I performed, and the ones that my fellow company members were in. Through the analysis of “Petrichor”, I found that each production and chorographic element plays a large part in the successful outcome of a dance and emotional responses can be evoked by the simplest ideas.
... social dance. Many people in today’s society enjoy social; dancing. Chapter eleven dance concert, properly planning and establishing a dance concert is of the utmost importance. The partnership with the lighting designer usually takes priority over all other factors. One of the most important issues concerning customers has to do with mobility. The dancer must be able to move comfortably in the costume. The task of producing a dance concert is an overwhelming and tiring one. Chapter twelve dance in education and career in dance, many dance educators present the argument that teaching and learning dance as an art form is obviously absent from the American student education. There has always been and always will be people who have a love, desire, and passion to instruct and learn the art of dance, will ensure an important place for dance in higher education.
However, New York Public Schools offered ballroom dancing classes to low-income students of color, which allowed the arts to be included in their curriculum. Watching the film, I observed the positive reaction the children had to the dance classes. Overall, they were exposed to different cultures, made new friendships, became more confident, and aware of different career options such as professional dancers or singers (Agrelo, 2005).
Dance is an ever evolving form of art; in much the same way that one can categorize and differentiate between eras and styles of architecture one can also do so with dance. These eras at times have sharp delineations separating them from their antecedents, other times the distinction is far more subtle. Traditional forms of dance were challenged by choreographers attempting to expand the breadth and increase the depth of performance; preeminent among such visionaries was Seattle born dancer and choreographer Mark Morris. Mark Morris' began as one of the millions of hopeful individuals attempting to simply make a career in dance; he not only succeeded but managed to have a lasting effect on the entire landscape of dance.
Feb. 1, 2009 -. “Alonzo King: Dancing with the Moon” 2008. The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. 10 Feb 2014 http://archive.is/TDq1Y>. “Repertoire.”
Steve Paxton: Speaking of Dance – Conversations with Contemporary Masters of American Modern Dance. Academic Internet Video. Directed by Douglas Rosenberg. Oregon: Alexander Street Press, 1996.
While a student in the dance program at Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing A...
Throughout the years, America has pursued the performing arts in a large variety of ways. Theatre plays a dramatic and major role in the arts of our society today, and it takes great effort in all aspects. Musical Theatre, specifically, involves a concentration and strength in dance, acting, and singing. This is the base that Musical Theatre is built upon. For my Senior Project, I helped choreograph multiple scenes in a community musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. Choreography is a way of expressing oneself, but it has not always been thought of for that purpose. Agnes de Mille’s expressive talent has drastically affected how people see choreography today. Agnes de Mille’s influence in the world of dance has left a lasting impact in the Performing Arts Department, and her revolutionary works are still known today for their wit, lyricism, emotion, and charm.
Music is magical: it soothes you when you are upset and cheers you up when you are down. To me, it is a communication with souls. I listen to different genres of music. When appreciating each form of music, with its unique rhythm and melody, I expect to differentiate each other by the feelings and emotions that it brings to me. However, I would definitely never call myself “a fan of jazz” until I witnessed Cécile McLorin Salvant’s performance last Friday at Mondavi Center. Through the interpretations and illustrations from Cécile’s performance, I realized that the cultural significance and individual identity are the building blocks of jazz music that create its unique musical features and support its development.
The first piece presented in this concert was Robert Strauss’ Metamorphosen, Study for 23 Solo Strings a piece was composed during the last months of World War II, from August 1944 to March 1945, dedicated it to Paul Sacher. It was first performed in January 1946 with ten violins, five violas, five cellos, and three double basses, this was immolated in the performance by the Atlanta Symphony orchestra on April 13th that I attended. It is widely believed that Strauss wrote the work as a statement of mourning for Germany's destruction during the war, in particular as an elegy for devastating bombing of Munich during the second World War.
The event I attended was “An Evening of Jazz” concert held at the Fine Arts Hall on November 17 at 7:30 p.m. The performing groups were The Santa Fe Rhythm and Blues Review, The Santa Fe Jazz Combo, and Santa Fe Big Band. The event was to for me to understand, experience Jazz music and know the instruments used.
[6] Cohen, Selma Jeanne. International Encyclopedia of Dance: A Project of Dance Perspectives Foundation, Inc. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
Jonas, Gerald. Dancing: The Pleasure, Power, and Art of Movement. New York: Abrams, 1992. Print.
...y conveyed a story based on the musical components. Through, pitch, duration, tempo, timbre, dynamics, tecture, rests, structure and mood at different parts, Harlem Shake conveyed a desensitized depiction of gang warfare in the rough Harlem district of New York during the 1920s. Perhaps the lack of emotion tries to convey a darker message. Indeed, an emotion that accepts tragedy and evil as reality because it has always been present. Yet, instead of ignoring the evil, acknowledging it and finding the positive out of it may help deal with the issue: Dancing.
Without warning, the lights went dark. This was the moment I had been waiting for. My adrenaline went through the roof. The time had finally come that I would get to see and hear my first live concert.