Reaction Caption: Contrapose Dance "Premiere"

ShannanSmith77 | May 05, 2008 | there are 0 comments

Jennifer Lustig

So last night I ventured out to see Contrapose Dance's premiere concert of the same name. I have to say that it was pretty amazing. Since moving to Boston, MA, I have tried to go see as much dance as possible, and this company is definitely one to watch.

Contrapose is unique in that it combines the original works of its members with the work of an established artist/dance company and invites that company to perform/guest artist with the members of Contrapose, showcase thier own work, and choreograph. The results are fabulous!

Courtney Piex

Lucy Warren-Whitman

Last night, for their "Premiere," Sokolow Now! was that established company. I do have to say that at times, the Sokolow work over-powered Contrapose's work (something they should watch out for future concerts), but overall, the performance was wonderful.

Contrapose's dancers include: Carise Baril, Jennifer Lustig (a beautiful friend of mine), Courtney Peix, Lindsey Ridgeway, Lucy Warren-Whitman. Guest artists include: Ruth Brownen (a force to be reckoned with), Rick Vigo, Katja Swift, Madeline Bonn, Magdalena Gyftopoulos, Kristen McKinney (courtesy of Sokolow Now!), and Nicola Iervasi (courtesy of Sokolow Now!).

I like to watch dancers who become characters and/or convey emotion or a story. All of the work in this show had the potential to demonstrate this: the movement was there, ready to be accessed, the dancers had the technique, and the music was full of drama. But, somehow, some of the dances fell a bit short.

The program included a mission of sorts from the artistic director, Courtney Piex. Her mission is to bring together artists in an arena to create new interesting and innovative work. Her goal is to challenge the audience to expand their existing expectations of dance (through new and established work/artists). Piex goes on to say that the company is a challenge to the dancers, the audience and the choreographers to push the proverbial envelope (I love when people say this....what does this mean exactly?) I appreciate her desire to make something new, we all know we are in need of that, and I hope for everyone's sake that she continues in that vein. I will say that the work was good, but could have pushed this "envelope" a little further. In the future, I would like to have established which envelope she wishes to push and who it is addressed to.

Look out for Contrapose Dance's next performance (I'm not sure when that will be). They are definitely a company I am looking forward to seeing grow and develop and take the Boston dance scene by storm. www.ContraposeDance.com

Love it!
SHANNAN