Cast No Shadow

Isaac Julien's filmwork for the multidisciplinary performance, Cast No Shadow--a presentation of Performa07 and BAM's Next Wave Festival at the BAM Harvey Theater through tonight--is a poetic, color-saturated head trip with translucent, larger-than-life, in-your-face imagery. Absolutely beautiful. But what about dance? Russell Maliphant's simple ideas and repetitious choreography for his company and guest dancer Vanessa Myrie do not stand up to Julien's imaginatively interactive, filmic environment. Originally planned as a 70-minute piece with three parts and no intermission, the evening now has a 20-minute intermission--perhaps in recognition that it's a little hard to stay awake and focused with something so relentlessly dreamy unfolding before your eyeballs. The audience now gets to take a refueling break at the food counter in the lobby.

Cotter on Performa07; La Rocco on Saarinen

I just want to state for the record, I love Holland Cotter. I wish he were a dance writer. Read his review of Performa07 in today's New York Times.

Also, Times dance critic Claudia La Rocco has a gorgeous piece of writing on Tero Saarinen's Borrowed Light. Click here and enjoy!

Flamencologist Donn Pohren dies in Madrid

Renowed American Flamencologist, Donn Pohren, husband of dancer Luisa Maravillas, died in Madrid on November 5. Read Pohren's obituary on World Music Central and Donn Pohren, Flamenco's Hero by John B. Rhine on Salon.com.

Update

Writer-photographer-blogger Gerry Dawes has alerted me to his own remembrance of Donn Pohren on Gerry Dawes's Spain: An Insider's Guide to Spanish Food, Wine, Culture and Travel.

More DTW blogging

Richert Schnorr--a dancer, filmmaker and another one of my talented DTW Writing on Dance graduates--has posted his final project on DTW's new blog: interview with choreographer Neil Greenberg.

A Timeless Performer

(Photo: Shige Moriya)

Veteran Butoh artist Takuya Ishide (pictured at left with Yuko Kaseki and Daiji Meguro) moves like a sleepy but delicately, precisely controlled marionette. His engrossing ways are the main reason for catching one of two remaining performances of A Timeless Kaidan, a work by Ximena Garnica (concept and direction) and Shige Moriya (video and installation art), at Theater for the New City now through Thursday evening.

The interdisciplinary production--a presentation of Garnica Leimay AcTS Lab--is part of the 3rd Biennial CAVE New York Butoh Festival, including performances, exhibits and workshops, concluding on November 21. Garnica describes A Timeless Kaidan as "a story of our universal presence, and an observation on human fear." She aims to "return us to ourselves, to encounter the fear intrinsic to our own ethereal light."

For Festival information and tickets, call 212-561-9539 or click here.

Dance Theater Workshop's new blog

I'm proud that DTW's new blog features an interview written by one of my DTW Writing on Dance graduates--dancer-choreographer Aynsley Vandenbroucke--for her final project!

Illuminating from Within

Stephanie Tack announces her workshop, Illuminating from Within: Exploring Your Inner Light Through Movement, Art & Healing.
Saturday, November 10th, 2-5pm, $20
Hosted by: Stephanie Tack - The Church of Art & Modern Mysticism

Take part in a unique and exploratory journey into the topic of contemporary spirituality and self-fulfillment. Explore your spirituality and depths of creative possibilities for self-expression through dance, art and healing.

We will provide you with a platform to dance, talk, create, reflect and share, your individual process of spiritual discovery, self-illumination and personal empowerment with a group of creative and intelligent people, in a safe and nurturing environment.

What you can expect is:
Discussion
Guided Visualization & Trance Dancing
Movement Improvisation (no dance training necessary)
Mandala Making
Hands on Healing/Massage
Verbal Group Reflections

You can also expect to:
Have your own personal journey (corporeal and non-corporeal)
Benefit from the power of engaging as a group
Walk away feeling connected to yourself, relaxed and centered
Gain insight into living harmoniously with your unique life flow

Our goal is to create space and support for your individual process of illumination.

The group will be intimate. There are 8 spaces available. Feel free to call me anytime if you are interested.

Stephanie Tack
646.418.9048
stephtack@yahoo.com

"Seeking attunement to spirit is the highest goal of conscious living." - Rebbe Joseph Gelberman