Moments at the 2008 Bessie Awards

Meryl Cates | Sep 16, 2008 | 1

The 24th annual New York Dance and Performance Awards, more commonly referred to as The Bessies, took place last night to honor artists involved in the New York Dance Community.  In a more informal atmosphere than past years the general vibe of the event was like a party, with music and enough Bessie Cocktails to go around.  Community was the key word of the evening, as a sincere sense of camaraderie and respect permeated the crowds.

The Bessies were presented by Dance Theater Workshop, Danspace Project, The Joyce Theater, and the 07-08 Bessies Committee. Hosted at Spiegelworld, the awards were given under a circus-like big top with a dangling disco ball.  The ceremony's relaxed tone added to the charm of the evening, as each acceptance speech took on forms of surprise, appreciation, and some witticism.    The award ceremony was hosted by dancer and choreographers, Katie Workum and Terry Dean Bartlett, who worked together to create DANCEOFF!,  a series presented at venues all over New York City, as well as in Berlin.  Their comedic banter and costumes kept the ceremony fresh as they changed from bold, gold jackets and very short shorts, into formal wear.

The Bessies were named after Bessie Schonberg, a master teacher who, herself, made significant contributions to dance. Last night, twenty-four awards were given out to those who created innovative and provocative works over the past year.  In celebration of the performing arts, the ceremony was interspersed with site-specific dance performances in various locations around the "Spiegelparty".  

One of the improvisational works was performed on the audience's tables and benches by a male and female dancer.  Dressed in regular clothing with a design of red paint that looked like a necklace of dripping blood down their white shirts, their intertwined arms and movements transformed into a tender slow dance where they stood swaying arm in arm.  The background music for the evening was by DJ Crazy Cuban (Alberto Denis), along with some live musical arrangements and performance excerpts.  

The citations, with a cash award, were given in categories spanning the wide realm of the performing arts.  The Choreographer/Creator Award was presented to Back to Back Theatre, Nora Chipaumire,  Juliette Mapp, Maguy Marin, Tom Pearson and Zach Morris, Susan Rethorst, Meg Stuart, and Doug Elkins for Fraulein Maria who was greeted by a musical clip from The Sound of Music.  He quipped that he drew some of his inspiration for his work from the musical which he fondly remembered as one of his first experiences on the stage as a young boy, spending hours rehearsing his role as a ray of golden sun.

The Installation and New Media Bessie went to David Michalek for his slow dancing video installation at Lincoln Center.  Despite his surprise at having won the award himself, remarking that he thought he was coming to accept an award for his wife Wendy Whelan who is in Paris with the New York City Ballet, he spoke eloquently on behalf of himself.

Performers Awards went to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for their contributions to American dance over the past 50 years, as well as Hilary Clark for her body of work, William Isaac for his performance in Connoisseurs of Chaos, Jodi Melnick for her performances in the works of Vicky Shick, Susan Rethorst, John Jasperse, and Donna Uchizono, Leah Morrison in her performance of If You Couldn't See Me, and Layard Thompson for his performances in solo project inspired by Deborah Hay and with his performances with the Pixie Harlots.

The Composer Awards were granted to Kris Bauman for Vanishing Point, Nitin Sawhney for his work in Zero Degrees, and for Zeena Parkins for her self-determination and excellence in live music for contemporary dance.

The Visual Design Awards were presented to Aaron Copp for Jonah Bokaer's The Invention of Minus One,  Joe Lavasseur for his body of work, and Richard Siegal, Antoine Seigneur-Guerrini, Philip Bubman, and Norbert Pape for Richard Siegal's As if Stranger.

Special Citations were awarded to Jennifer Dunning, for her contributions and work as a New York Times Critic and author, Laurie Uprichard for her leadership at Danspace Project, and Deborah Jowitt, who received a standing ovation and roaring applause for her dedication to the arts as a longtime dance writer.

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Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, Broadway, Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Retailer, Studio, Competitions & Conventions, Performance, Summer Study, New York Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies (all tags)