BY WICKHAM BOYLE
Movement provides antidote for winter doldrums
Most of us are fed up with cold, snow and slush — but there’s no better antidote for the winter doldrums than dance. Watching others twirl, spin, glide and leap takes our breath away and gives us a renewed sense of possibility. We are transported and illuminated — and often inspired to move and shake our own legs or derrieres.
Downtown, across town, in the Village East and West then looping up to Chelsea, audiences can find toe tappers, modern interpreters and gloriously delirious dancers.
DIXON PLACE
Ellie Coven’s old living room is now a glorious space for dance theater, cocktails and inspiration. All shows are $15 general admission, $12 for students/seniors. At 161 Chrystie St. (btw. Rivington & Delancey). Call 212-219-7581 or visit dixonplace.org.
“Body Blend” — See a collection of new dancers and choreographers and pick your own favorites. Curated by Niles Ford Trebien Pollard Eddie Brito. Tues., March 1, 7:30pm.
“The Tragedy of Maria Macabre” — Rachel Klein’s stylized movement-based theater piece with live-action cartoon aesthetic pulls from circus imagery, silent horror films. Wed., March 2, 7:30pm.
“Crossing Boundaries” — Curated by Marcia Monroe Regina Miranda Regina Nejman. Tues., March 29, 7:30pm.
DANCE NEW AMSTERDAM
Season performances take place Thurs., Fri., Sat. at 8pm and Sun. at 3pm. At 280 Broadway, 2nd Floor (entrance on Chambers). For info on all the below performances, call 212-625-8369 or visit dnadance.org.
“OBject.obJECT” — Ximena Garnica, Jennifer Nugent and Adrienne Westwood, take to the stage. The season concludes with vividly theatrical world premieres by Artists in Residence. Feb. 17–20:
“SPLICE: Japan” is the winter season closer. This shared bill features up-and-coming choreographers (and DNA Artists in Residence) Mana Kawamura and Makiko Tamura. Both of their works were inspired by life experiences in NYC and their native Japan. The choreographers received time and resources to create unique experiential work, which represents a fusion trend in contemporary dance (by melding traditional non-western dance with the theatrical and modern aesthetic). Feb. 24–26. A post-performance talkback moderated by Yoko Shioya, Artistic Director of Japan Society, will take place on Thurs., Feb. 24.
DANCE THEATER WORKSHOP
The New York premier of Norway-based Verdensteatret’s “And All The Question Marks Started to Sing” — a fusion of sound art, visual pieces, theater and dance. Feb. 24-27, 7:30pm (matinee, Feb. 27, 5:30pm). At Dance Theater Workshop (219 W. 19th St. btw. 7th and 8th Aves.). Call 212-691-6500 for info on this event and many other performances, lectures and event. Also visit dancetheaterworkshop.org/performances.
PERIDANCE CAPEZIO CENTER
There are rarely performances here — but there are dancers galore, and over 250 classes each week. If you want to warm up and rub shoulders and toes with dancers, then dip your toe into a beginner class. At 126 E. 13th St. (btw. 3rd and 4th Aves.) Call 212-505-0886 or visit info@peridance.com.
PUNCHDRUNK
British theater company Punchdrunk will present “Sleep No More” — in a site-specific production, billed as the former McKittrick Hotel (530 W. 27th St.). However, many will remember it as Club Twilo. Based on “Macbeth,” “Sleep No More” is devised and directed by Felix Barrett, Maxine Doyle and the company. The show is mostly dance (there is no spoken dialogue and the producers are calling it “an immersion experience as the audience chose where and what it watches”). During the course of the show, theatergoers move through the venue (which has been converted for the production), experiencing events in an intimate and often surprising manner. For tickets ($75), call 212-352-3101 or visit sleepnomorenyc.com. Opens March 7.
AT THE JOYCE THEATER
At 175 8th Ave., at 19th St. For info on all the below performances, call 212-691-9740 or visit joyce.org.
ELISA MONTE DANCE
Elisa Monte has been breaking barriers (by crossing between dance and spoken word and theater) for 30 years. The company will celebrate its 30th anniversary with new and beloved work. The gala opening is March 1. “Monte’s Dialogue with Vanishing Languages” opens the run. As well, the company will host over twenty special dance events — from master classes to website launches and video interviews with the artistic team and dancers. Most events are open to the public, at low-cost — and some are FREE. Through March 6.
BUGLISI DANCE THEATRE
Choreographer Jacqulyn Buglisi, a passionate descendant of Martha Graham, moves us with sublime images that touch the heart and embrace the soul. In the world premiere of “Letters of Love on Ripped Paper,” Buglisi reveals the rapture and human complexity underlying human relationships through a labyrinth of love letters: Pliny to Calpurnia; Queen Victoria to Prince Albert; Zelda to Scott. Feb. 15-20.
ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET
Celebrating its 15th anniversary season, the company performs an exhilarating program of contemporary dance exemplifying its commitment to commissioning groundbreaking work by both world renowned and emerging choreographers. Feb. 22-27.
KEIGWIN + COMPANY
After electrifying audiences with its first solo Joyce season in 2010, KEIGWIN + COMPANY comes back with the world premiere of Dark Habits, an evening-length work, which examines fashion and drama. March 8-13.
