Fort Mason Center: Cross-Cultural Dance Themes


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NOVEMBER 2008

CROSS-CULTURAL DANCE THEMES

Cowell Theater

A fusion of world cultures characterizes the dance performances in Fort Mason Center’s Cowell Theater in November. Early in the month, the Printz Dance Project (PDP) melds traditional Irish step dancing with fluid contemporary and flamenco moves.

Immediately afterward, Mary Sano and the Duncan Dancers pay tribute to the genius of Isadora Duncan using Native American, Japanese, and classical music, narrative, and video montage. Mid-November merges artistic traditions from Mexico, New Mexico, Spain, and Costa Rica as Theatre Flamenco follows El Camino Perfecto to the Cowell.

Tickets for all performances can be purchased from the Cowell Box Office at (415) 345-7575 or online at www.fortmason.org/boxoffice.

Printz Dance Project
Stacey Printz and her lively band of dancers collaborate with Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, for a fall season of stimulating dance. The world premiere collaboration integrates Printz’s athletic, crisp, and intricate dance styles with Siamsa Tire’s unique interpretation of Irish folk culture expressed through songs, music, dance, and storytelling.

Also on the bill is a PDP repertory favorite, “Point B,” where the dancers’ movements show how the nonlinear path through life and its obstacles often leads to something new. Siamsa Tire performs “An Damhsóir” (“The Dancer”) as a tribute to Irish dance legend Jack Lyons and incorporates flamenco and Irish step dance in “Seville Suite.”

Enjoy an elegant Irish foray into contemporary dance. PDP performs at 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, November 6–8, 2008. Tickets are $18 to $20. See www.printzdance.org for more information about the dance group.

Dreaming Isadora Duncan
Mary Sano and her Duncan Dancers celebrate the vision of Isadora Duncan in a stunning multimedia production with live music by classical pianist Alpin Hong, koto player Shoko Hikage, singer-songwriter and piano player Tony Chapman, and Native American singer, storyteller, and drummer Dennis Banks.

Sano’s original choreography stars in this performance, along with classic pieces from Duncan’s repertoire. The group’s latest works explore Native American themes developed with Banks and Chapman. Sano’s collaboration with Hikage adds video footage and dance drama to the mix for a riveting theatrical experience.

Be part of the 10th anniversary salute to Duncan Dance on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. Tickets range from $18 to $25. For details about Mary Sano and the dancers, visit www.duncandance.org.

Flamenco Fusion
Flamenco from many lands explodes across the Cowell stage when Artistic Director Carola Zertuche and Theatre Flamenco search for the perfect road to happiness in their new performance, El Camino Perfecto. Optical illusions, extraordinary footwork, and invigorating live music stir the senses and highlight the drama of the human condition.

Guest artist Juan Siddi Aivir is a passionate young dancer influenced by the culture of Santa Fe, New Mexico where he lives and performs. Zertuche began her dance career in Mexico and tours throughout Central America for festivals and shows. Spanish flamenco singer Felix de Lola lends his fiery voice to El Camino Perfecto and flavors his songs with the rhythms of Costa Rican poetry, which he has studied at great length.

For a high-intensity journey along the road of life, try Theatre Flamenco. El Camino Perfecto flows through the Cowell November 14–16, 2008. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8:00 p.m. while the Sunday matinee begins at 2:00 p.m. Tickets cost $26–$30. The Saturday night gala reception and show seats are $40 each. The dance troupe has more details and insights about flamenco at www.theatreflamenco.org.