BETWEEN FLOOR AND FLIGHT: April 2009

BETWEEN FLOOR AND FLIGHT: Review

"The big rushes of group movement, the clarity of intention and physical emotion of Jaese Lecuyer and Jerri Sweeney in duet, are the reasons people dance, why people go to see others dancing." North Coast Journal review is here.

BETWEEN FLOOR AND FLIGHT: Preview

Off the front page at Humboldt State Now.

BETWEEN FLOOR AND FLIGHT

Fifty dancers performing ten dances, including a dance that just received top honors at a major regional dance conference, and another that features the 60-voice Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir: the perenially popular HSU spring dance concert will fill the Van Duzer Theatre stage, beginning Thursday, April 9.

This year’s concert is called Between Floor and Flight, and as usual, it features dances choreographed and performed by HSU students, faculty and members of the community. Faculty choreographers include Jandy Bergmann and Shoshana.

New to choreographing for the HSU dance faculty this year is Jaese Lecuyer, well known locally as a singer who conducts the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir. He brings the Choir along for “Finding Flight,” the dance he choreographed with local dance artist Athena Clune, and with Sharon Butcher, head of the dance program in the HSU Department of Theatre, Film and Dance. Within the 3-part dance, which depicts a journey of liberation from bondage, LeCuyer dances a duet with student Jerri Sweeney.

“I Take Myself Back,” created and performed by student Cheri Anchondo, received top honors at the American College Dance Festival Northwest Conference in mid-March. She explores the influence of place on Native American dance forms, and includes an original sound collage based on a poem by Joy Harjo.

Other dances explore environmental, social, personal and interpersonal themes, sometimes with a comic touch. This year HSU Department of Theatre, Film and Dance graduate students in the new area of scenography have created coordinated scenic, costume and lighting design for each dance.

Inspiration for these dances came from many sources, including poems by Joy Harjo and North Coast poet Jerry Martien, an opera, and a painting by the choreographer’s father. “Positive transformation is a theme that runs through quite a few of the dances,” observes artistic director Sharon Butcher.

“We had a very strong group of seniors last year,” Sharon Butcher said, “ but this year, we have probably the most talented group we’ve ever had together on one stage. And not just as dancers and choreographers, but as a really fine group of human beings. They’re smart, kind, considerate, compassionate, interested and involved.”

Once again this year, there is a silent auction on the second Saturday (April 18), to raise funds for dance student travel and other educational activities.

Between Floor and Flight is the HSU spring dance concert presented Thursdays through Saturdays, April 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $10 general, $8 students/seniors, with a limited number of free seats for HSU students at each performance, from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. A Department of Theatre, Film & Dance production; Sharon Butcher, artistic director.

BETWEEN FLOOR AND FLIGHT: The Dances

The ten dances in Between Floor and Flight are described below. The descriptions come from statements by the choreographer of that particular dance. Quotes in italics are comments by Artistic Director Sharon Butcher. No photos were available for two of the dances, and in some photos the dancers are in rehearsal gear rather than the costumes they will wear on stage. All photos by HSU Graphic Services. Click on the photos to greatly enlarge.

The Dances: "I Take Myself Back"

I Take Myself Back
Choreographer: Cheri Anchondo
Dancer: Cheri Anchondo

Text: Joy Harjo
Spoken by: Cheri Anchondo, Jerri Sweeney, Jackie Silva
Sound Score: Cheri Anchondo and Glen Nagy

Costume and Light Design: Ali Bertramo

This dance received highest honors at the American College Dance Festival Northwest Conference in March 2009.

A solo inspired by a Native American poem that focuses on the resilience of the human spirit and the resolute nature of survival in the face of oppression. The goal of this contemporary piece is to pay homage to all peoples who have endured suffering and chosen to reclaim their identities and re-instill in themselves their value and self worth. " Cheri, who is a double major in Dance and Geography, had this dance selected as one of the top 10 dances (out of 66 dances) in the Northwest Region of the American College Dance Festival. It was featured in a Gala concert that closed the conference activities in Utah. It's a deeply moving solo work based on a poem by Native American author, Joy Harjo, who gave permission and her blessings to Cheri to use the poem, “I Give You Back” for a sound score and for public performance. Cheri and sound designer, Glen Nagy, collaged excerpts of the text using multiple women's voices and translations into other languages."

The Dances: "Finding Flight"

Finding Flight
Choreographers: Athena Clune, Jaese Lecuyer, Jerri Sweeney
and Sharon Butcher.
Dancers: Cheri Anchondo, Shelly Brantigan, Nerissa Castilleja, Alisha Goodrich, Jaese Lecuyer, Kendra Staton, Jerri Sweeney.
Vocal performers: Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir

Percussionists: Jim Froland, Dave Janssen, Jesse Jonathan, Oliver Ebrihiminkm.

Lighting Designer: Lisa Voelker
Costume Design: Erin Voudy

This collaboration with the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir blends the body of dance and the voice of Gospel song. It represents a journey from struggle and oppression to a freedom of soul and mind. There are three sections in this dance: the first represents struggle and the camaraderie formed through trying situations; the second is a duet, representing one woman’s journey into a more empowered way of being and the guide who takes her forward; the third section is a celebration - the group rejoicing in the freedom gained when fears are confronting, new journeys are undertaken, and the soul soars unburdened.
"The dance opens with a group of people facing hardship, their movement is weighted and burdened. Then one of the dancers--Jerri Sweeney-- is in a place on stage where she can move forward. Jaese serves as the ferryman who can show her the way—they do a really nice duet."

The Dances: "Quest I on"

questIon
Choreographer: Jerri Sweeney
Dancers: Nerissa Castilleja, Arianna Chapman, Valerie Cloon, Kendall Lewis, Natasha Harrell, Jessica O. Manuel, Leann Sutton
Music: Tye Tribbett and G.A “Bless the Lord (Son of Man)”
Edited by: Glen Nagy
Lighting Design: Lisa Voelker

Costume Design: April Grenot

"This very personal dance has roots in the Christian praise dance, using contemporary artistry."

The Dances: "Thursday, 9:05 a.m."

Thursday, 9:05 a.m.
Choreographer: Nena Sivess
Dancers: Johanna Kaplan-Coleman, Julia Giardino, Gabby Munguia, Julia Vigneaud, Xelha Weisman.
Music: Edgar Meyer
Scenic and Light Design: Amy Echeverria and Mason Daryl Lev
Costume Design: Amy Echeverria

This dance captures the interaction and exchange between people of opposite personality types, blending and affecting both worlds. It expresses the notion that everyone in your life has the ability to alter or influence your personal path if given the opportunity. “Three dancers on kind of the same level are joined by this other whacky, quirky dancer, and the dance explores how we are influenced by others and take on their qualities—consciously or not. It’s playful and very funny.”

The Dances: "Darkness, She Speaks"

Darkness, She Speaks

Choreographer: Jessica O. Manuel
Dancers: Nerissa Castilleja, Nena Sivess, Kendra Staton, Jerri Sweeney
Music: Osvaldo Golijov: Opera Ainadamar
Edited by: Glen Nagy
Scenic and Light Design: Calder Johnson and Henry Echeverria

Costume Design: Henry Echeverria

The dance is set to a fusion of two pieces from Osvaldo Golijov’s opera, Aindadamar. The dance takes the viewer through the process of grief and loss. It opens with a surge of intensity as fear and anger are expressed upon the moment of facing death and impermanence. At one point there is an exhaustion of this energy and these emotions. At this break and transition, grief and sadness are uncovered. Raw gesture and rhythmic movement portray the journey through death. “It’s really powerful—the women dance it with full out commitment--very, very strong. It’s gripping and stunningly evocative.”

The Dances: "Revenge Served Cold"

Revenge Served Cold
Choreographer: Jackie Silva
Dancers: Nerissa Castilleja, Juan Cruv, Sierra Goncharoff, Monica Hernandez, Ozvaldo Ricardez, Xelha Weisman.
Scenic Design: Ali Bertramo and Kelsey Morgan

Scenic Artist: Osvaldo Ricardez
Costume and Light Design: Ali Bertramo

A dance that portrays every girl’s dream-vendetta towards her cheating boyfriend. Through comedic, literal and abstract movements, we watch as Hot-Rod Dolls are toyed with, and lied to by two heart-throbbing Daddy-O’s. Once these oblivious dolls figure out the Daddy-O’s game, the dolls form an alliance. The result is, of course, revenge. “ The dancers are an over-the-top rockabilly street gang; This is basically a love triangle, times two: the guy, the good girl and the Other Woman. It’s funny and fun.”

The Dances: "Currents"

Currents

Choreographer: Nerissa Castilleja
Dancers: Erika Burg, Arianna Chapman, Hannah Farrell, Kelly Gordon, Jessica Jewett, Keli Marble, Jerri Sweeney
Music: Steve Reich, Electric Counter Point, Fast, performed by Pat Methany.

Edited by: Glen Nagy
Scenic and Light Design: Julia Chase and Laura Rhineheart
Costumes Design: Laura Rhineheart
This dance was featured at the American College Dance Festival Northwest Conference in March.

From the depths of the ocean an array of colors arise! A school of fish moving across the stage as in water, on an upward journey, rising towards the surface sunlight. This dance is an abstraction of nature’s own choreography and uses the playful color pallet found in the reefs of Hawai'i". “Nerissa went to Hawaii on an educational exchange program, where she was so taken with the colors and the light. In this dance she uses the momentum and fast-changing directions of schools of fish.”