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Sept. 18, 2006
2006–07 dance season kicks off with Limón and others, Sept. 26

BY kendall simpson

Rich in movement dynamics, expression and musicality, the 2006–07 Emory dance season offers a broad palette for a variety of tastes.

The season opens with “Limón’s Choreography as a Cultural Reconciliation,” sponsored by the Emory Friends of Dance, and is free and open to the public. This illustrated lecture will be presented by Ann Vachon, professor of dance at Temple University, on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reception Hall at the Carlos Museum. Vachon will focus on José Limón’s struggle to come to terms with the political and religious inconsistencies he encountered when trying to reconcile the values of his family’s culture with the beliefs he came to hold as an American artist, and the manifestations of that struggle in his choreography. Limón, a pivotal figure in the development of modern dance, moved to the United States from Mexico as a young man, and went on in 1946 to found the José Limón Dance Company. Vachon serves as director of the Limón Institute and danced with the José Limón Dance Company from 1958 to 1975.

The next event of the season will be performances by the José Limón Dance Company Oct. 12–14 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 14–15 at 2 p.m. in the Dance Studio at the Schwartz Center. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for Emory faculty, staff and other discount category members and $5 for Emory students. Acclaimed for its dramatic expression, technical mastery and expansive yet nuanced movement, the dance company illustrates the timelessness and vision of Limón’s work. The company is led by Carla Maxwell, who worked closely with Limón. The company’s repertory balances classic works with commissions from contemporary choreographers. The highlight piece of the evening will be Limón’s 1958 masterwork “Missa Brevis,” in which the company will be joined by other Atlanta community dancers.

The season also includes two Fieldwork Showcases, also in the Dance Studio, featuring new works in various disciplines. The first Fieldwork Showcase takes place on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. The second, co-sponsored by Several Dancers Core, is scheduled for April 29 at 7 p.m. The $7 tickets for both events can be purchased at the door only.

In the spirit of celebrating Women’s History Month, the Dance Program will curate a noontime showing of dance works celebrating women by Emory and Atlanta dancers on March 29 in Reception Hall at the Carlos Museum.

The final large performance of the season is a dynamic program of new dance works performed and choreographed by Emory dance students. The ever-popular Emory Dance Company Spring Concert takes place April 26–28 at 8 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m. in the Dance Studio. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $4 for Emory faculty, staff, students and other discount category members. Tickets sell out quickly for this event, so plan ahead.

The Friends of Dance Lecture Series experienced its genesis in fall 1998 with internationally renowned dance scholar and historian Sally Banes. The Friends present biannual lectures each fall and spring with the intent of offering the larger Atlanta community themes that are topically challenging, artistically stimulating and intellectually enriching in the field of dance. This is the only lecture series in the Atlanta area focused exclusively on dance. The next lecture is scheduled for February 2007.

For ticket purchase and additional information call 404-727-5050 or go to www.dance.emory.edu.

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