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Pivot(al), Adelaide Festival Centre’s year long dance program proudly presents one of America’s most innovative and extraordinary dance companies, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, performing at the Festival Theatre from 10 – 12 March.
From pointe to pop this New York based dance company is hot! Inspired by social and political issues, and yet deeply personal, Complexions have always sought to ponder the human condition and to explore the full range of human emotions. In 1995, the company received the coveted New York Times Critics Choice Award and began touring the world. Subsequently Complexions were invited to perform at major European dance festivals and toured extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, South America, Asia and Australia, with each new city presenting an opportunity to extend their message: Complexions is more than dance… it is language itself!
For their upcoming Australian season Complexions Contemporary Ballet will present an exciting program of material that will combine stunning classical ballet skills, cutting edge contemporary dance moves and unbelievable physicality and strength. The program will include the electrifying newly created work ‘Rise’(2008), set to the powerful rock music of world-renowned band U2, that will close each performance. This is the first time U2 has granted permission for the use of their work in a ballet and in a major choreographic milestone, Dwight Rhoden has created a truly stunning piece featuring the entire company. Also featured in the program is ‘Routines’ (2008) and ‘Gone’ (2000), an astonishingly powerful and intense physical performance about brotherhood, conflict and survival featuring the emotional music of American folk singer Odetta; ‘Momentary Forevers’ (2007), featuring the unlikely musical collaboration of George Frideric Handel and John Cage; ‘Moody Booty Blues’ (2006), a short work for five dancers featuring the electrifying American blues music of Muddy Waters, Son House, Roy Buchanan and Stevie Ray Vaughan and ‘I Will Not Be Broken’ (2008), inspired by the doctrine “from tragedy to triumph”.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet was founded in 1994 by the current Artistic Directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. Reflective of the name, they brought together a multiracial troupe to express their uniqueness in culture, race and background by combining classical ballet and contemporary dance.
Resident choreographer Dwight Rhoden began dancing at the age of 17 and has created over 60 ballets for Complexions, as well as numerous other commissions. Rhoden has directed and choreographed for film, theatre and live performances and worked for high profile artists including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Kelly Clarkson and Patrick Swayze. Rhoden was a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Desmond Richardson is one of the most widely recognised and talented contemporary dancers of his generation, a multi-talented artist he has mastered a wide range of dance forms including classical, modern and contemporary and worked in television, film and video in the U.S. and abroad, performing with musical artists Michael Jackson, Prince, Aretha Franklin and Madonna. He was a member of the American Ballet Theatre and his performance was described in the NY Times as “one of the most majestic dancers ever to tread the MET Stage.”
Richardson was also nominated in 1998 for a Tony Award for his role in Broadway Musical. Recently Rhoden and Richardson choreographed a new work for the last season of the US hit show So You Think You Can Dance, which received rave reviews.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet celebrates excellence in dance with thought provoking and impassioned performance, be sure not to miss one of the most exhilarating and remarkable dance companies to come out of the U.S.!
“Power, punch and pizzazz. For sheer exuberance, the dancers of Complexions Contemporary Ballet must hold the gold medal.” The Age
“Mr Rhoden’s choreography was like hot molten lava; flowing with undeniable power.” New York Times
Pivot(al) presents the best dance companies in the country alongside the best in the world.
Adelaide Festival Centre’s Pivot(al) program presents
Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Venue: Festival Theatre
When: 10 – 12 March, 8pm
Cost: Premium $80, Adult $65 / $55 / $45, Concession $60 / $50 / $40, Groups $60 / $50 (6 or more tickets), Student $30
Bookings: BASS on 131 246 or online at www.bass.net.au
Complexions Contemporary Ballet will also perform in Melbourne from 26 February – 7 March at the Arts Centre, State Theatre
For further information check out: www.complexionsdance.org
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