Peter London Dance Company's program is a mix of repertory pieces and the world premiere of "Unfold" accompanied by a world premiere commissioned score by Ezra Haugabrooks, founding artistic director of the Ballet and Dance Orchestra. (Photos by Shameka Seabrook)
Peter London Global Dance Company (PLGDC) is bringing its contemporary and Afro-Caribbean dance-fusion company to Miami Beach Botanical Gardens on Sunday with a program that will take place amid the natural beauty of the gardens.
London, PLGDC founder and artistic director, presents "Wings & Roses" as an ode to man's resilience, and the power of inspiration and hope.
"The pandemic brought separation from careers, income, businesses, creativity, worship and play. The great outdoors, beaches, parks, woodlands, etc., became more beloved and desirable for our health and well-being. We are fortunate to have beaches as a source of refuge, renewal and celebration of art and life. This performance is a celebration of our adaptability and spirit in the face of adversity," says London.
The program is a mix of repertory pieces and the world premiere of "Unfold" accompanied by a world premiere commissioned score by Ezra Haugabrooks, founding artistic director of the Ballet and Dance Orchestra. With "Unfold" London employs his deep and vast knowledge of modern dance to create a work that deals with the concept of renewal and survival. London's innovative choreography draws its inspiration from the world of flowers, plants, and the mating rituals of insects and animals.
The piece includes dazzling duets and solos set against the ingenious vision of London. "Unfold" mirrors the state of the world today as society attempts to build a post-pandemic world.
"Urban Serengeti "was choreographed by London in 2021 and is a celebration of the resilience and strength of society during the closed world of the pandemic. During this period artists continued to find a way of creating their art, refusing to succumb to the limitations placed on them by the pandemic. London says the piece offers "a divine release so needed in the moment we are in, as we move to recover from the pandemic."
"Rain & Wings," London says, "is an abstract exploration of ancient American cave paintings that depict various winged creatures, and animals of the great plains. The dance movement for the work draws from imagined rituals and early American modern dance techniques. The music is a haunting construction of wing instruments and sounds of birds with magnificent digital contemporary instrumentation."
Peter London Global Dance Company (PLGDC) is bringing its contemporary and Afro-Caribbean dance-fusion company to Miami Beach Botanical Gardens on Sunday. (Photos by Shameka Seabrook)
PLGDC was founded in 2011 by London and over the years has grown to become one of South Florida's leading professional multi-cultural dance companies. London is a renowned teacher and choreographer. His students have gone on to perform in many leading dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company and Ballet BC (Vancouver).
Justin Rapaport is a dancer and choreographer who is currently a member of Ballet BC. Rapaport studied with London at the New World School of the Arts in Miami and has created several works for PLGDC. Rapaport says London has influenced his approach to the choreographic process in many ways. London he says taught him how to "be clear with what you want but also be encouraging and be collaborative with the people you are working with; dancers, lighting designers, composers, and fashion designers. It really takes all of these elements to create a full work that goes beyond the dance steps itself."
PLGDC will be performing "Frosties" a piece Rapaport choreographed in 2015 in his junior year at Julliard. The work came out of a composition class he was enrolled in at Julliard. "Frosties" explore "what it means to dance to the audience," Rapaport says.
"Wings and Roses" is a program rich in diversity set amongst the natural beauty of Miami Beach Botanical Gardens.
PLGDC eight amazing dancers will perform with a live orchestra surrounded by the lushness that is Miami Beach.
Peter London Global Dance Company "Wings & Roses"
2:30 p.m., Sunday, May 15, Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. (305) 673-7256. $20. Tickets at PLGDC.ORG - Eventbrite
