Special to The Herald-Sun
DURHAM -- A Picasso-inspired ballet and powerful women appear on the dance horizon this fall. The Durham-based Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble also celebrates its 25th anniversary with performances Oct. 2-3.
Carolina Ballet's world premiere of "Picasso," by artistic director Robert Weiss, will debut in October in conjunction with The Nasher Museum's exhibit, "Picasso and the Allure of Language." Ballet performances take place Oct. 15-Nov. 1 at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh.
Powerful women come to town when the Urban Bush Women troupe arrives in November for a three-day residency at Duke University that culminates in a performance. During their stay, Nov. 10-Nov. 12, this troupe will visit Duke Dance classes and interact in other ways with students and the Duke community.
Formed in 1984 by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, the troupe bills itself as "sassy, strong, relevant." Duke Dance Director Keval Khalsa agrees. "I love the topical work that they do," Khalsa said.
Women will also dominate the Duke Dance annual fall showcase, November Dances, Nov. 21-22. The lineup will include work by Duke's newest faculty member, Andrea Woods, a former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. The Duke Dance Modern Repertory Ensemble will perform Woods' "Sweet Willie Mae," inspired by the music of blues singer Willie Mae Thornton. Woods will also perform one of her own solos.
"She's just an incredible performer and choreographer," Khalsa said. Woods' educational background, with degrees in Dancing for the Camera and Caribbean Cultural Studies, will also enhance the Duke Dance department and benefit its students, Khalsa added.
November Dances will also feature work by other faculty members as well as students. The program includes faculty member Julie Walters' "A Light Touch" and faculty member Ava Vinesett's workshop production of "Reaching Into the Before Time," which Vinesett hopes to premiere at Staggville in June 2010, Khalsa said.
There's sure to be peace and love and plenty of energetic dance offerings when the Durham-based African American Dance Ensemble celebrates its 25th anniversary with two performances, Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 at the Carolina Theatre.
