make eyes at me
October 20-23 2011
At the Barnevelder Theater
All shows at 8:00 except Oct. 23 which is at 7:00
$15-$25. Purchase online at suchudance.org
"make eyes at me" marks a departure for Suchu Dance in its intensity and darkness.
Starting with the words sex and death as a point of departure, we are investigating movements and interactions dealing with attraction, intimacy, deterioration, violence, vulnerability and the fear of the unknown.
At first the pairing of sex and death was a simple tool to create something interesting: pair two opposites and see what comes from that tension. It doesn't take long to see that sex and death have a deeper connection. They are two things that have been taboo in this world.
Just being reminded of death, people start to latch on to things that are more permanent than they themselves are. When reminded of death people become aware that life is finite and someday they will die. (Somewhat amusingly, science has shown that when simply reminded of death, people are less likely to deface flags, and people in capitalistic societies become more materialistic!) The inevitable topic that comes up in this pairing is sexual violence. There is a frequent association between sex, death and violence with, typically, women being fetishized as victims of violence. How, or if, the dance will address this topic remains to be seen. These are the questions used as starting points as we work on this new piece.
The name of this piece, "make eyes at me," is an idiom that means to look at someone in a way that shows them that you think they are sexually attractive. Despite the darkness of the show, there is some humor to be derived from the concept put forth by this idiom.
"make eyes at me" has a black on black design scheme. The costumes are distressed and abused with the skin of the dancers acting as a stark contrast and counterpoint in the all black color scheme. The dancers have been challenged to go as far as they feel comfortable in being undressed.
A large set piece will occupy a third of the stage, suspended. This object in the stage area is an imposition on the danceable space and an obstacle for the dancers, creating an irregular floor plan to perform in. Inspired by the rough surface and uneven reflectiveness of a geode, it is naturalistic and curvilinear in shape and warm metallic in color: gold, brass, copper. The structure of the set piece is designed to be flexible and have a breath and life of its own. Designed by Suchu dancer Daniel Adame, who is also a sculptor, this will be the second set he has designed for Suchu Dance, the first being the trash backdrop for "The Dirty Show."
Shchelkunchik
December 1-4
At the Barnevelder Theater
All shows at 8:00 except Dec. 4 which is at 7:00
$15-$25. Purchase online at suchudance.org
Photo from the original production of The Nutcracker, 1892.
Two words: deconstructed Nutcracker.
Shhelkunchik is the Russian word for the Nutcracker Ballet (Pronounced SHELL-coon-chick). For audio pronunciation click here. Loosely using as source material the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," Suchu Dance is branching out from its usual non-representational style by creating a dance with a narrative, although we must say the narrative will be delivered in a non-linear, collage format. Movement and design sources: archival footage of ballet dance from the late 1800's to the 1920's as well as photographs and drawings of that era and from the original Nutcracker ballet that premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892. It is interesting to note how dance technique has evolved over the past one hundred years and looking at these vintage films provides insight on how tastes and standards have changed. This will be a Suchu Dance take on the original story. We are not planning to mock or satirize the ballet in its current form, the one that is seen by audiences all over the United States during the Christmas season. We do, though, reserve the right to mock and satirize many, many things.The big elephant in the room is the famous score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. That is a difficult choice since the songs are so well known and beloved by so many. It is not likely that the music will be used as is or in its entirety, but it will be referenced.This production can be thought of as an alternative, semi-Christmas-ish event for dance lovers (and haters).
April 13, 14, 15 & 20, 21, 22 2012
At the Barnevelder Theater
All shows at 8:00 except Apr. 15 & 22 which are at 7:00
$15-$25. Purchase online at suchudance.org
A circle of chairs for the audience on the floor defines the performance space. The dance happens inside and outside the circle. Light and lightness. Pale colors beginning to deepen. A circle of perpetual apparition is an astronomical term. It is any given place on a celestial sphere where the distance from the polar axis is approximately equal to the latitude of the observer. Within this area the stars never set.
June 1-16 2012
At the Barnevelder Theater
Showtimes and ticket prices T.B.A.
Celebrating it's tenth year of existence, Suchu Dance's annual three week festival brings together a wide variety of choreographers presenting new and original dance works.