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Modern Dance Sightings on the Big Range

Posted on June 13th, 2008 by Michele

A Big Range of possibilities, ideas and spirit distinguish Houston’s summer festival of modern dance at Barnevelder Movement Arts Complex. The sixth annual Big Range Festival opened its three-week run on Friday May 30 with the first of three main stage programs that feature works by both national and local choreographers.

The programs are so varied and interesting that this critic challenges anyone to come away without having found something that would speak to them. With two shows left this weekend and the annual Buffy awards on Sunday, there is still a chance to either prove me wrong or get a little nourishment for your heat-soaked art-seeking soul.

Program C featured guest artists from Austin Leslie Dworkin and Kent De Spain. Spain’s “Stream” was a solo for performer Tom Truss set to excerpts from the poetry of Charles Bukowski spoken by Truss as he danced. Bukowski’s lines crudely pop and simmer; they communicate in new ways when diffused by the fluidity of dance. Spain combined the rawness of the text with a compelling movement palette, and the frailty and difficulties we all suffer seeped through along with subtle wit and humor. A writer who honestly laid out his flaws and weaknesses, along with his infinite shame and shamelessness, for the world in his writing, Bukoswki’s was well-portrayed by Truss who performed the choreography with skill and yet still gave us a sense of the character.

Dworkin, whose strong work always uses interesting music, filled the space as she morphed her waiting shapes to the sounds of John Zorn. Fueled and driving, Dworkin angled, snapped and fell, bursting with energy that fuses with her score. The juxtaposition of figures at the end gave us an unexpected and emotional jolt, once again showing that the sweet simplicity of bodies walking on the stage can give us something of meaning when well handled.

Other highlights from The Big Range Festival included a dazzling performance by Suchu Dance Company at the close of program A. Suchu premiered Jennifer Wood’s “Hedge” which they will also perform at Jacob’s Pillow next week. Jennifer Wood is a choreographer who has developed her own unique melting-switching-flipping-fluidly careening through-space style that distinguishes her work and makes her dances so engaging to watch. Her company expertly lives and breathes her choreography on the stage creating a dynamic that is electric. As ”Hedge” opens with eight dancers in rows moving on one side of the stage, there is care in the placement, the echo of shapes, and even in the costumes as pure line and color conjure a delight for the eye. This is art that can hold its own anywhere so kudos to them for exporting their fine work to the world famous Jacob’s Pillow Festival next week.

Program A also included choreographer Leslie Scates’ exploration of the effects of the onslaught of the cosmetic industry on women. Scates is one of those performers who is always interesting to watch on the stage, even if she is standing still. A specialist in improvisational dance, she exudes an integrity of intention that communicates in her choices of movement.

Another highlight from A was choreographer and performer John Stronks touchingly cleaning up the stage as part of his dance, enhancing the feeling that the audience is viewing a festival whose choice of programming and works were created with great care.

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Tags: dance, review

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