Body and Soul

Zahava's mission encompasses not only dance as aesthetic expression but also its role in individual and societal healing. She writes, "My body has led me to teachers, rhythms, techniques, abandon, containment, ecstasy, erotic languid prayers, rituals geometry, discipline, storytelling and healing. Through these journeys I have found spirit guides, competition, self criticism, deep reverence, the practice of life in uncomfortable and pleasurable tempos." In this conversation, Zahava discusses her practice as a dancer and her understanding of how racism gets played out in our relationship with our bodies, the source of discord and of peace.

Program notes: http://infinitebody.blogspot.com; guest information: http://www.LoveMakingDances.com and http://www.WhiteFolksSoulByAnyDanceNecessary.wordpress.com

(c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Annie-B Parson--co-founder and choreographer of the Bessie Award-winning Big Dance Theater--joins forces with the exciting post-classical string quartet ETHEL and dancer Elizabeth DeMent for a site-specific production in the Winter Garden at World Financial Center. "Wait for Green"--ETHEL's third Winter Solstice concert at WFC--premieres on Friday, December 19, in two free performances--12:30pm and 7pm.

"Wait for Green" has been commissioned by arts>World Financial Center for its 20th Anniversary celebration.

Program notes: http://infinitebody.blogspot.com

Guest and venue information:

http://www.bigdancetheater.org; http://www.ETHELcentral.com; http://www.ArtsWorldFinancialCenter.com

(c)2008,Eva Yaa Asantewaa

This season, Brenda Neville's Neville Dance Theatre brings a contemporary Nutcracker with a world of difference to Brooklyn's Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts (Long Island University). With a Brooklyn-based setting that features techie toys for kids of all ages and a party mix of capoeira, tango, Irish dancing and more, this production puts a fresh spin on the beloved winter classic.

Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.nevilledance.com and http://www.kumbletheater.org (c)2008,Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Kyle Abraham--native of Pittsburgh and MFA graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts--has danced in the companies of Nathan Trice, Bill T. Jones, Mimi Garrard, Kevin Wynn, among others, and is now making a name for himself as an independent choreographer with promise. This week, Abraham joins Bessie winner Layard Thompson on a program of new work at Dance Theater Workshop (Wednesday-Saturday, December 3-6, 7:30pm).

Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.abrahaminmotion.org and http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Bessie Award winner Layard Thompson joins me for a wide-ranging discussion of the interrelatedness of dance and watcher, art and the world in which we live. This week, Thompson will share an evening of new work with choreographer Kyle Abraham of Abraham.In.Motion at Dance Theater Workshop (Wednesday-Saturday, December 3-6, 7:30pm). My interview with Abraham will follow shortly. Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest information at http://www.dancetheaterworkshop.org. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Dancer-choreographer Gesel Mason--of the DC-area based Mason/Rhynes Productions and Gesel Mason Performance Projects--discusses her wide-ranging work on behalf of diverse artists and audiences, as well as her celebrated project--"No Boundaries"--featuring historic and contemporary dance by Black choreographers such as Donald McKayle, Bebe Miller, David Roussève and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.

Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest info at http://www.mason-rhynes.org and http://www.gmasonprojects.com. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Bessie Award-winning choreographer Luciana Achugar brings a new work--"The Sublime is Us"--to a studio space at Dance Theater Workshop, beginning October 21.

Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest info at http://www.lachugar.org and http://www.dtw.org. (c)2008, Eva Yaa

Asantewaa

Warren Adams, born and raised in South Africa, is among several choreographers whose dances will receive their New York premieres during BalletMet Columbus's return engagement at The Joyce Theater (September 30-October 5). Adams will present "The Audacious One," inspired by the speech that first brought Senator Barack Obama to national and international attention and acclaim. Created as a four-minute piece for BalletMet's 30th anniversary season in Columbus, Ohio, the work will now be seen in an expanded version, set to Mozart's Requiem.

Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest info at http://www.joyce.org and http://www.balletmet.org/performances_hot_nights_adams.php. (c)2008, Eva Yaa

Asantewaa

Jane Goldberg--tap dancer and journalist--discusses her entertaining and insightful new book, "Shoot Me While I'm Happy: Memories from The Tap Goddess of the Lower East Side."

Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest info at http://www.janegoldberg.org. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Bessie Award-winning choreographer Jane Comfort talks about "An American Rendition"--her new dance-theater work that addresses American addiction to Reality TV and avoidance of political realities such as our government's policy of rendition--the secret kidnapping, interrogation and torture of detainees in overseas prisons. Jane Comfort and Company will premiere this piece at the Duke on 42nd Street (September 24-28).

Program notes--http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Guest info at www.janecomfortandcompany.org. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa