Where the heart is

I can only imagine what it must mean for Alex Escalante to present a work like Clandestino in the presence of two families who cherish him--his biological kin and his artistic kin from New York's dance world. The hour-long work--presented through tonight by Danspace Project--is inspired by his parent's Mexican heritage and personal and public policy issues related to the immigration of undocumented workers. That sounds like a lot to swallow, but not to worry: Escalante has blended in just enough personal and political (and aesthetic) elements to encourage us to empathize and to think.

With the help of Joe Levasseur--the lighting phenom who also co-designed Escalante's set--he tranforms the sanctuary of St. Mark's Church into a place of interrogation as well as celebration with high-spirited social dancing amid increasingly provocative interaction with the audience. Escalante cavorts with the rambuntious, sexy team of Reneé Archibald, Pedro Osorio and Sandy Tillet, and I could have watched them dance all night. I also wished for a longer listen to the live music by Los Inmigrantes del Sur--Ausencio Cesario Garcia, Javier Francisco Dorantes Davila and Joel Vasquez Jeronimo.

Clandestino closes tonight. Due to the configuration of the audience, space is very limited, but try to get in. And don't forget to wear your dancing shoes!

Reservations: 212-674-8194
Danspace Project information

And if you missed my Body and Soul interview with Alex, here it is!