dance writer

In Li Chiao-Ping Dance's I Ching 20 concert at the Margaret H'Doubler Performance Space, dance takes a back seat to voiceover text and giant video projections. With soft atmospheric music accompanying most of the concert, the ten pieces presented fell a bit short on variety, save for a few of Li's works and two lively stand-alone screendances created by guest artist, Omari 'Motion' Carter. In EASE ON DOWN , Carter guides a percussive video duet down a dirt road. What starts as a playful walk in the country, evolves into a beat banter between Carter and partner, Rhona Ashwood. Kicking up rocks in rhythm and hopping down the road in a handstand--upside down and spring-loaded—the pair's light-hearted footwork builds until with a wry humor, they encounter a dead end. Brief and pure fun. Carter's other fine contribution, IN PURSUIT OF JOY: A SCREENDANCE BBQ , allows the camera's eye to flit and cut from one group or person to another in a lively backyard par

Solidifying its identity as a midwest repertory ballet company, in its varied and well-balanced concert, Madison Ballet's LOVE  spanned history and style in a concise evening of dances highlighted by its bookends—the opening re-staging of Paquita (first performed in 1846) and a rousing 2021 contemporary closer brought in by guest, Stephanie Martinez. Sandwiched between came three brief and light dances contributed by Madison Ballet Artistic/Executive Director, Ja' Malik, and an earthy duet from Richard Walters. Traditional in every sense of the word, Paquita , opened the program, exhibiting the companies classical bravura abilities. Staged by Andrea Long (after the original Makarova and Petipa choreographies), this dance-for-dance-sake for ten was tightly done with a stiff, presentational beauty matching the customary tutu costumes. After a bit of a shaky start with the old-school vocabulary, the corps grew into the demands of speed and dexterity as the piece evolved. Solo sec