Monday
Night at the National: The Spring Season
of Dance
Fall
2009 - FREE Performances in the Helen Hayes Gallery - 6:00
pm and 7:30 pm
The
National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington,
DC 20004
Information
available at 202-783-3372.
Seating
is limited. Tickets are required, and are distributed
one half-hour prior to performance, on a first-come-first-served
policy. One ticket only to each person in line.
FEB 1
SILK ROAD DANCECOMPANY
Celebrating its 15th Anniversary, this dazzling
ensemble revels in the richness of Persian culture
with authentic music and choreography. Laurel
Victoria Gray and her company present joyous, exuberant
women's dances performed in breathtakingly exquisite
costumes. Steeped in tradition, but timely as the
seasons, these dances intrigue and enchant, opening
a doorway from the West to the luxurious, entrancing
East.
FEB
8 - This performance is cancelled
EQUINOX DANCE COMPANY
This inventive company fuses exciting jazz and tap
with meaning expressed through its contemporary modern-dance
roots. Troupe members contribute to the creation of
the work so that varied viewpoints of individual dancers
are expressed by the group, creating a community through
dance. Expect high-energy performance and an eclectic
mix of dance styles.
FEB 22
JASON GARCIA IGNACIO CITY DANCE
"The Mountain" is rooted in Filipino folk
dance and resonates with socioeconomic-environmental
awareness. The piece was inspired by Mount Pinatubo,
a live strato-volcano in the Philippines which erupted
in 1991 – juxtaposed with a landfill trash heap
in Metro Manila, dubbed "Smokey Mountain."
The electronic score incorporates recordings of volcano
seismic waves.
MAR 1
NEXT REFLEX DANCE COLLECTIVE
Experience "Eventide," in which dance represents
the ocean. Tides lapping gently on a gulf shore are
wind-whipped into violent storm waves, which then
settle back into moonlit calm. "Frayed"
follows five women who struggle for peace in an agitated,
chaotic world and support each other in quest of an
absent eternity. A new work will also be premiered.
MAR 8
LIFE, RHYTHM, MOVE PROJECT Be ready for entertaining high-energy fun,
but also for some deeper provocative themes and interaction.
This company mines the community’s rich gems
of wisdom, while using the dance stage as a place
to bring people together. Hip Hop is employed as a
powerful tool to engage the audience, and then becomes
an entre to an enlightening cultural history experience.
MAR 15
LAUREEN O'NEILL IRISH DANCERS
This night we are all Irish, as our Saint Patrick’s
Party goes full swing with the LAUREEN O’NEILL-JAMES
IRISH DANCERS. Come ready for a program of merry-spirited,
high-energy jigs and step-dances! Performers of all
ages in colorful finery will strut their stuff and
then invite you step up and join them. Wear your green!
MAR 22
SHEELA RAMANATH COMPANY
Bharatanatyam dance combines emotion, melody, rhythm
and narrative drama - all of which are seen in this
dazzling presentation. The form, long restricted to
temple dancers, is now presented publicly and has
reclaimed its lost glory. It is fierce, earthy, delicate
and elegant dancing: mesmerizing in its rare ethereal
beauty.
MAR 29
ARAX ARMENIAN DANCE ENSEMBLE
Enjoy an evening of traditional Armenian folk dances - some
in their original form and others choreographed for the
stage from traditional field work and family celebration
dances. Included are unique line and circle dances, graceful
women's improvisations featuring delicate arm and hand movements,
and forceful and energetic male dances.
APR 12
REFLECTIONS DANCE COMPANY
These dancers add a uniquely African American voice to our
cultural landscape with contemporary ballet and modern dance.
The performers create new works and reinterpreting works
from a wide variety of sources. Their multimedia, multicultural,
and multigenerational dance performances reflect our diverse
national experience.
APR 19
SINGULAR SENSATIONS
The zing of Broadway choreography and bright-light lyrics
round out our spring dance series, as a cast of sparkling
young performers take the stage. Their spirit is infectious
and their razzle-dazzle creates a fitting tribute to the
American Musical. These troupers of tomorrow will delight
you with boundless energy and remarkable talent.