Dance Season Preview 2006-2007

By Liz Potter

Ballet Flamenco La Rosa
Performing Arts Network (PAN), 13126 West Dixie Highway, North Miami
larosaflamencotheatre.com, 305-899-7729

Ballet Gamonet leaps into their 2006-2007 season

“Ballet Flamenco La Rosa will be presenting an exciting and powerful season of projects, breaking new ground and presenting the very best of Flamenco. Our pure Flamenco performances, such as Juerga Flamenca, give artists and audiences a chance to enjoy authentic Flamenco music and dance in a traditional setting, with improvisation and interpretation of the many “palos” or rhythms that are the essence of Flamenco.  We will also present Sefarad, an original work exploring the Jewish influence on Flamenco in the Middle Ages, during what has become known as the golden aAge of cultural splendor, shared by the Moors, Gypsies, Jews and Europeans, and culminating with the Spanish Inquisition. Then in April, the world premiere of an original Flamenco Ballet, Las Brujas de Salem, inspired by The Crucible, by Arthur Miller.  A year in the making, and interpreted by 20 musicians and dancers from North and South America and Spain, this full evening work explores themes of political manipulation, blind panic, fanaticism and alienation that are as relevant and engaging today as when Arthur Miller first wrote this play. The belief in witchcraft from the Middle Ages through the end of the 18^th century in Europe set the stage for this 17^th century atrocity in America, that perpetrated the same type of manipulation and torture as the Spanish Inquisition. This compelling work sends a powerful message, while demonstrating the universality of our art form. It is at the same time exquisitely beautiful, powerful, passionate, provocative, suspenseful, sensual and spiritual.”

—Ilisa Rosa, Artistic Director of Ballet Flamenco La Rosa

Juerga Flamenca Traditional Flamenco with live music and dancers from the company, PAN, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.

Las Brujas De Salem  Original Flamenco Ballet with guest artist Manolete for the Miami Beach Dance Festival. Venue to be announced, April 20-21 at 8 p.m.; April 22, at 3 p.m.

Fiesta Flamenca Celebration of authentic Flamenco music and dance, with musicians and dancers improvising on the traditional Flamenco rhythms.  PAN, June 11, at 7 p.m.

Other community performances to be announced.  For more information call 305-899-7729 or 305-899-7730.

Ballet Gamonet Maximum Dance
Ballet Gamonet Maximum Dance, 3000 Biscayne Blvd, Suite #102, Miami
balletgamonet.org, 305-259-9775; toll free 1-866-max-dance

Venues: Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (GCPA), 174 East Flagler Street, Miami, gusmancenter.org , 305-374-2444

Bailey Concert Hall, (BCH) 3501 S.W. Davie Road, Broward Community College Campus, Davie,  sunsetet.com, 561-278-7677

Ballet Gamonet

“This is an exciting time for Ballet Gamonet Maximum Dance Company.  This performance year brings us several world premiere ballets choreographed by Jimmy Gamonet, Charles Moulton, Jerry Opdenaker, William Soleau and Mark Godden; the return of one of the great dancers of our times, Iliana Lopez; the opening of our new rehearsal hall and offices in downtown Miami; and the establishment of our Dance Conservatory. Such growth is both exciting and daring. A year ago we launched this new chapter of our great adventure. We are grateful that you joined us in our grand journey to becoming a world-class ballet company. We have shared together the art and the fun, which was made possible only through your generous support.  The first decade of the 21st century is witness to the transformation of downtown Miami into a vibrant cosmopolitan city. We are proud to have been here first, and to be a catalyst in bringing culture and character to a bustling downtown.  This season brings to new highs, the quality of performance and the innovation that you have seen to date.  Without you, this leap into the future would not have been possible.”

—Zammy Migdal, President, Ballet Gamonet:

Program I: World Premiere (Gamonet) Precision Ballpassing (Florida premiere, Charles Moulton), Nous Sommes (Gamonet), Prokofiev Piano Conerto (Company premiere, Gamonet) GCPA, Oct 27-28, at 8 p.m.; BCH, Nov 11 at 8 p.m.; Nov 12 at 3 p.m.

Program II: D Symphonies (Company Premiere, Gamonet); Movilissimanolbe (Company Premiere, Gamonet); World premeire TBA by Jerry Opendaker. gcpa, Feb. 2-3, at 8 p.m.; BCH, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m.; Feb 11 at 3 p.m.

Program III: Contropical (Company Premiere, Gamonet) World Premiere “Recitations” (Gamonet), The Sisters (Gamonet, Company Premiere) GCPA, April 13-14, at 8 p.m.; BCH, March 31 at 8 p.m.; April 1 at 3 p.m.

Program IV: World Premiere  TBA (Soleau), Purple Bend II (Company Premiere, Gamonet), World Premiere TBA (Gamonet), Angels In Architecture (Florida Premiere, Godden); Dream Voyage (Gamonet, company premiere); GCPA, May 11-12 at 8 p.m.; BCH, May 19 at 8 p.m.; May 20 at 3 p.m.

Dance Now! Ensemble
P.O. Box 416525, Miami Beach
dancenowmiami.org, Telephone 305-975-8489

“Dance Now! begins its seventh year of dance and arts education in South Florida at full speed,
with seven performances in September and October alone and ongoing outreach programs in both Dade and Broward Counties! Our fifth evening-length work, “Donne, mothers, daughters, sisters, lovers…” slated to premiere in February, will present women’s stories, both from inside and outside perspectives. In a female dominated dance company such as DNE (three men, eight women), company directors Hannah Baumgarten and Diego Salterini have witnessed marriages, divorces, births (DNE has three children  already, and Principal dancer Colleen Farnum is expecting this February!), illnesses, and even deaths.  They have participated in the challenges and opportunities of the company’s women and their struggles to balance personal and professional lives. “Donne...” is inspired by the women of the company, bringing to life both personal intimate stories and those from all of our collective experiences. This season, DNE is also excited to expand the company’s diverse make-up welcoming two new members: Carolyn Zeppa, Interlochen Graduate who joins the company after completing her training at the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University Program in New York and Paul Vitale, former Pennsylvania Ballet dancer, who comes out of retirement to join DNE. We also welcome back artistic advisor Michael Uthoff, now Executive Director of Dance St. Louis to choreograph for the coming season.”

—Hannah Baumgarten and Diego Salterini, Artistic Directors of Dance Now!

America/America Encore with Coral Gables Elementary Strings, Coral Gables Library, 3443 Segovia Street, Coral Gables; Sept.23, 305-442-8706.

An Evening With Dance Now! Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe Street, Hollywood; Sept. 23-24, 954-924-8175.

An Evening With Dance Now! Miami Shores Community Center, 9617 Park Drive, Miami; Oct. 6, 305-758-8103.

Up On Stage, Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe Street, Hollywood; Oct. 21, 954-924-8175.

Arts At St. John’s, St. John’s Church, 4760 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, Oct. 28, 305-613-2325.

Miami Beach Art Deco Festival, Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; Jan. 14-15, 305-288-8800.

Donne: Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Lovers… Byron Carlyle Theatre, 500 71^st Street, Miami Beach; Feb. 17-18, 305-858-7002.

Miami Beach Dance Festival, Bryon Carlyle Theatre, 500 71^st Street, Miami Beach, Festival April 21 through April 15, phone 305-858-7002.

Donne: Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Lovers… Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; May 31, phone 305-674-1040.

Merce In Miami – Dance Celebration and World Premiere
Miami Carnival Center for the Performing Arts (MCCPA), 1444 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
miamipac.org, 305-949-6722

Legendary dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham, whose work will be celebrated in February 2007

“In February 2007, Carnival Center for the Performing Arts will provide the arena for a city wide celebration, Merce in Miami, showcasing the life and work of legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham.  The two-week celebration and highlight of our dance season, Merce in Miami includes the world premiere on February 23, 2007, of eyeSpace, a piece commissioned by the Center specifically for the occasion, on a double bill with CRWDSPCR (1993).  A second program includes Crises (1960) and Split Sides (2003), with music by Radio Head and Sigur Ros.  Cunningham’s final collaboration with composer John Cage, the beautiful and exhilarating Ocean (1994) will be recreated for three performances only. In addition to Carnival Center performances, Merce in Miami will include art exhibits, concerts, lectures, and workshops throughout South Florida, making it a significant achievement for the City of Miami and a remarkable event in the world of the arts.” 

—Michael C. Hardy, President & CEO, Carnival Center for the Performing Arts:

eyeSpace (World Premiere) and CRWDSPCR.  In eyeSpace, a piece commissioned by Carnival Center for this festival, Cunningham's choreography is united for the first time with designs by Miami visual artist Daniel Arsham and a score by composer David Behrman.  MCCPA, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m.

Crises & Split Sides.  Split Sides  features music by the bands Radiohead and Sigur Rós. At this historic tribute to Cunningham, Sigur Rós will come to Miami to perform its portion of the score live. MCCPA, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m.

Ocean.  Cunningham's final collaboration with composer John Cage, the beautiful and exhilarating Ocean, will be recreated for three performances only. MCCPA, March 1-3 at 8 p.m.

Miami City Ballet
Miami City Ballet Studios (MCB), 2200 Liberty Avenue, Miami Beach
miamicityballet.org, 305-929-7010; toll free 1-877-929-7010

Venues: Miami Carnival Center for the Performing Arts (MCCPA), 1444 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
miamipac.org, 305-949-6722

Broward Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA), 201 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale
browardcenter.org, 954-462-0222

Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA), 701 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach; kravis.org, 561-832-7469, toll free 1-800-572-8471

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: a scene from Miami City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker

“Moving into our 21^st Season, I want to take the opportunity to say how proud I am of our dancers and how thrilled they are to represent South Florida on a national level. Miami City Ballet Company toured recently to New York and to Los Angeles and the response we received from audiences and critics alike was outstanding.  One critic wrote Miami City Ballet gave “performances of such eloquence and depth that they place it in the first rank of American troupes.” I truly believe that eloquence and depth is what we have achieved as we enter our maturity as a major arts institution. Over the past few years our repertory has become enriched with more masterworks and this season we add to that development with our company premiere of Don Quixote.  This production is one of the most famous and adored 19^th century ballets and will be our largest production featuring more than 50 dancers.  We will also perform Giselle, another classical favorite, for the closing program.  In between those two ballets, on Program II and III, the Company will go in a completely different direction delighting you with contemporary and 20^th century masterworks of the highest caliber.  Several premieres are scheduled which include a ballet called Liturgy by Christopher Wheeldon, New York City Ballet’s Resident Choreographer, whose works are sought after by most of the top ballet companies. Also featured is the third piece that the Company has acquired by Twyla Tharp, an incredibly energetic and visually stimulating dance called In the Upper Room. The ballet Lilac Garden from the great English-born dancer and choreographer Anthony Tudor will provide us with an opportunity to explore the realm of the “psychological ballet” and challenge us in yet another style of dance. Other ballets from within our repertory are four works by George Balanchine: Agon, Raymonda Variations, Symphony in Three Movements and the holiday favorite George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker^TM. We add a brand new venue to our performance schedule this season, the new state-of-the-art Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, which in addition to our home theaters at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, has us performing in truly spectacular theater environments. Our 21^st season would not be possible without the support that we get from our many patrons and donors. I would like to point out, in particular, the assistance of Mike Eidson, our President, the generous support of U.S. Trust our season sponsor, and the invaluable help of the City of Miami Beach from our early beginnings through our maturity.”

A kiss to build a dream on: Miami City Ballet will perform Don Quixote this season

— Edward Villella, Founding Artistic Director, Miami City Ballet

Program I: Don Quixote (Traditional After Petipa and Gorsky)  Famous and popular classical Ballet with 50 dancers in a  company premiere.  MCCPA, Oct. 13-14, at 8 p.m.; Oct. 15, 2 p.m.; BCPA, Oct 20-21, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. KCPA, Nov 17-18, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Oct 19, at 1 p.m.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker^tm   MCCPA, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 16-17, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; BCPA, Dec. 21-22 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30; Dec. 24, at 1 p.m.; KCPA, Dec. at 7:30 pm, Dec. 2-3, at 2 p.m.

Program II: Agon (Balanchine), Afternoon Of A Faun, (Robbins), Liturgy* (Wheeldon) In The Upper Room * (Tharp) *Company Premieres; MCCPA, Jan 12-13, at 8 p.m.; Jan. 14, at 2 p.m.; BCPA, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.; Jan. 27-28, at 2 p.m.; KCPA, Jan. 19-20, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Jan. 21, at 1 p.m..

The Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, from the Miami City Ballet

Program III: Raymonda Variations  (Balanchine), Lilac Garden* (Tudor), Symphony In Three Movements (Balanchine), *Company Premiere; MCCPA, March 2-3 at 8 p.m.; March 4, at 2 p.m.; BCPA, Feb. 9-10, 8 p.m.; Feb. 10-11, at 2 p.m.; KCPA, Feb. 16-17, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Feb. 18, at 1 p.m.

Program IV: Giselle (Traditional after Perrot and Corralli) Famous classical ballet of a heartbreaking love story; MCCPA, March 30-31 at 8 p.m.; April 1, at 2 p.m.; BCPA, Mar 9-10 at 8 p.m., March 10-11 at 2 p.m.; KCPA, March 16-17 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Feb. 18, at 1 p.m.

Miami City Ballet Contemporary Dance Series
Venue:  Miami City Ballet Studios (MCBS), 2200 Liberty Ave, Miami Beach