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Edited and Published by Robert W. McDowell
June 22, 2023 Issue |
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A FREE Weekly E-mail Newsletter Covering Theater, Dance, Music, and Film in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area of North Carolina Since April 2001. |
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PART 4A: TRIANGLE DANCE REVIEW BY NANCY JOKOVICH |
SW!NG OUT Truly Swings at the American Dance Festival!
ADF presented SW!NG OUT, conceived by Caleb Teicher, in collaboration with Evita Arce, LaTasha "Tasha" Barnes, Nathan
Bugh, and Eyal Vilner, on June 15th and 16th, in Duke University's Page Auditorium (photo by Grace Kathryn Landefeld)The American Dance Festival has done it again! On Thursday, June 15th, in Page Auditorium on Duke University's West Campus in Durham, ADF introduced a new dance troupe, SW!NG OUT, to Triangle audiences. The outstanding choreography and skillful dancing of this New York-based dance troupe brought joy and rhythm to the audience, which responded to SW!NG OUT's high-energy performance with a riotous standing ovation. Led by director Caleb Teicher and the other members of the Braintrust, including Evita Arce, LaTasha "Tasha" Barnes, Nathan Bugh, and Eyal Vilner, SW!NG OUT has taken the Lindy Hop to an exciting new level.
The Lindy Hop, which is named for famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, was born in Harlem in 1928, and grew in popularity in the 1930s. It is a joyous fusion of many dance forms, including jazz, tap, Breakaway, and the Charleston. Starting as improvised social dancing, the Lindy Hop is invigorated by SW!NG OUT in spirited, energetic choreography. Then, with the arrangements and orchestrations of the Eyal Vilner Big Band, the audience was totally enraptured! The band's soulful vocalist, Imani Rousselle, kept the tunes flowing; and the audience didn't want her to stop!
The show opened with the curtain about two feet off the floor, revealing people walking; and then, as the music started, those feet started dancing! The curtain rose and dancers performed with one partner and then changed partners, all the while expressing joy and delight as they moved. It was clear that every performer must be prepared to lead or follow and switch back and forth. Performers danced with each other, regardless of sex, race, or size, and -- in good Lindy Hop form -- tossed each other across the back and over the side!
ADF presented SW!NG OUT, conceived by Caleb Teicher, in collaboration with Evita Arce, LaTasha "Tasha" Barnes, Nathan
Bugh, and Eyal Vilner, on June 15th and 16th, in Duke University's Page Auditorium (photo by Grace Kathryn Landefeld)At one point, the audience pulled the names of two performers out of a hat. These dancers took center stage and danced to a new song as if they were well-practiced but, in truth, improvised with each other as they created a stunning performance!
One of the male dancers wove a romantic solo, dancing without music but humming to himself. Caleb Teicher grabbed a pair of tap shoes and with his limber, lithe body, was a master at taking tap-dancing to new heights. The lighting design by Serena Wong artfully accentuated the dancers and helped set the moods of the music, as well as the transitions between songs. Costume design by Márion Talán de la Rosa revealed her skill in fabricating clothes that fit the ease of 1930s music but looked modern and moved well.
After the intermission, audience members were invited to the stage to dance with the performers. The Eyal Viner Big Band played for 30 minutes as many people from the audience took advantage of this amazing opportunity to end their evening tired but joyful!
We certainly encourage ADF to bring SW!NG OUT back next year, and the year after that, and beyond!
ADF presented SW!NG OUT, conceived by Caleb Teicher, in collaboration with Evita Arce, LaTasha "Tasha" Barnes, Nathan
Bugh, and Eyal Vilner, on June 15th and 16th, in Duke University's Page Auditorium (photo by Grace Kathryn Landefeld)SW!NG OUT (In Person June 15th and 16th), conceived by Caleb Teicher, in collaboration with Evita Arce, LaTasha "Tasha" Barnes, Nathan Bugh, and Eyal Vilner, with live music by the Eyal Vilner Big Band (American Dance Festival in Page Auditorium on Duke University's West Campus in Durham). TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/802110554. PRESENTER: https://americandancefestival.org/, https://www.facebook.com/AmerDanceFest/, https://www.instagram.com/amerdancefest/, https://twitter.com/AmerDanceFest, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dance_Festival, and https://www.youtube.com/user/AmerDanceFest. 2023 SEASON: https://americandancefestival.org/2023-performances/. CALENDAR: https://americandancefestival.org/season/. NEWS RELEASE: https://americandancefestival.org/2023/03/01/2023-season/. VENUES/DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://americandancefestival.org/venues/. HEALTH & SAFETY POLICIES: https://americandancefestival.org/health-safety/. ACCESSIBILITY: https://americandancefestival.org/accessibility/. SW!NG OUT (New York City-based Swing-Dance Show): https://www.swingout.show/. INFORMATION: 919-684-6402 or adf@americandancefestival.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: American Dance Festival. [RUN HAS CONCLUDED.]
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Nancy Jokovich is has loved modern dance since taking a class at N.C. State University (avoiding roller derby). While working in Washington, DC, she took classes from Erica Thimey, who formed a German modern-dance group in the early 1930s. Then, while studying at the University of Texas at Austin, she took classes with two small companies and was invited to observe a master class by Twyla Tharp, which was a real treat. She also served on the board of the Capital City Playhouse in Austin to support her love of theater. Click here to read Nancy Jokovich's reviews for Triangle Review. |
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