Emory Dance Company Presents Fall Concert, "7 Considerations"

Emory Dance Company's fall concert, "7 Considerations," is just that: seven dancemakers considering seven different topics, ranging from social issues to musical patterning and kinetic weaving. The event, running Nov. 16-18, features work by Emory faculty and is highlighted by choreography by three noted guest artists: Alfonso Bordi, Lelavision and Bala Sarasvati. For tickets and information, call 404-727-5050.

Bordi, an accomplished ballet dancer performing with various Atlanta-based and international companies, premiers the contemporary ballet "Ten Times." Through this piece Bordi seeks to create a common language among the 10 performers by blending their personal movement styles with his own, while still maintaining each dancer's individuality.

Lelavision will stage an existing piece, "balloonjarrattledrum," for eight dancers. Lelavision is a Seattle-based collaborative team comprised of husband/wife artists Ela Lamblin and Leah Mann. The word "Lela" is a Sanskrit term meaning "creative spark" and "play." In that spirit, they create work directed by choreographer Mann, and musical sculptor Lamblin, which is whimsical in its combination of musical sculptures and movement. The dancers will make their own musical sculptures that they incorporate into the piece.

Sarasvati, professor of dance at the University of Georgia, resets a signature work from her repertory. "Conventional Light," performed by seven dancers to traditional monkey chants from Bali, has been influenced by the work Rudolf Laban, originator of Laban Movement Analysis. The dance is a result of Sarasvati's observation of body and facial expression/behavioral patterns of people during corporate and administrative meetings. The piece has been performed throughout the Southeast during the past five years.

Emory faculty members Sheri Latham, Anna Leo, Wayne M. Smith and Lori Teague present choreography ranging from a short, cutting edge pas de deux (duet), to an ensemble work for 18 dancers. Latham will premier a contemporary ballet for two to music by Brain Bug. This short, quick-paced piece continues Latham's ongoing investigation of the pas de deux form, and her desire to blend classical and modern dance vocabularies.

At the other end of the spectrum is Leo's "A Chorus of Women." This work for 18 women is inspired by Pearl Cleage's "Mad At Miles: A Black Woman's Guide to Truth." This work addresses domestic violence and is shaped by the original score composed by dance program composer/musician Klimchak.

Smith presents a new work for 11 dancers motivated by blues music, and continues his exploration of movement inspired by dark, smoky places. Teague re-stages a 1998 work, "Echo Nest," that is inspired by the art of basket weaving and the patterns of Native American, Mexican and African baskets. Specific words that triggered the choreography include coil, twist, braid, stitched, wrap, interlace and twined. The beauty of the repetition of patterns in the piece is complemented by the original score composed by Teague's husband, Mark.

Nov. 16-18
Emory Dance Company, "7 Considerations." 8 p.m. in the Mary Gray Munroe Theater of the Dobbs University Center, 605 Asbury Circle, on the Emory campus. Tickets are $4 for students with I.D., children 12 and under, professional artists and senior citizens; $8 general admission. The Friday, Nov. 17 performance is a benefit for the Friends of Dance Scholarship Fund, and a reception follows the concert. For more information or to order tickets, call 404-727-5050 or send e-mail to boxoffice@emory.edu.

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