’62 Center for Theatre and Dance presents Black Grace
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance proudly presents New Zealand’s leading contemporary dance company Black Grace. Choreographer Neil Ieremia embues Black Grace with an explosive mix of rhythm, spirit and energy. The New York Times says, “[Neil Ieremia] has spread his artistic roots in several rich pasts and grown up and out into a sunlight of his own making.”Black Grace performs exciting, high-octane dance that is bruising and punishing in its physicality – an explosive combination of Samoan ritual, martial arts and daredevil risk-taking. -Globe and Mail, Toronto
The company will perform three selections from its 15 years of repertoire. Minoi, a signature work based on the fusion of Samoan and western contemporary dance styles; excerpts from Surface, a full-length piece based on traditional Samoan tattooing, and excerpts from Gathering Clouds, Ieremia’s latest full-length work.
It’s unabashedly virile, dangerous and terrifically exciting. -The Ottawa Citizen
Continuing its mission to contextualize arts within scholarly inquiry, the Center presents an impressive body of work that sets student work side-by-side with that of professional artists. We strive to challenge traditional forms, engage with a larger political dialogue and allow our audiences to explore diverse modes of expression. Not content merely to present popular work, the Center’s professional performances, workshops and student productions are designed to invite the entire community to engage, debate, and celebrate the experience of both witnessing and creating live art.
Black Grace founder and Artistic Director Neil Ieremia is in the vanguard of New Zealand’s most accomplished choreographers and, through his vision, imbues Black Grace with an explosive mix of rhythm, spirit and energy. In recognition of his considerable achievements, Neil was the recipient of the 2005 Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award for outstanding creative achievement and his contribution to the Arts in New Zealand. In 2009 Neil accepted a Resolution passed by the Guam Legislator in recognition of the Company’s work in Guam. Neil is a 2009 recipient of the Paul D. Fleck Fellowship in the Arts from The Banff Centre, Canada.
Black Grace will perform on March 2nd at 8 PM on the ’62 Center MainStage, located at 1000 Main Street, in Williamstown, MA. Tickets are $3 with valid student ID & $10 for all others.
For tickets, visit the Williams ’62 Center Box Office Tues-Sat, 1-5 pm or call (413) 597-2425. For more information, please visit http://62center.williams.edu.
