For modern-day artists, there's a constant struggle to be relevant. Artists are in perpetual competition with a media-saturated culture. How does an artist convince the average John Doe to plunk down his hard-earned money and ignore the latest exploits of Paris Hilton? There are probably no simple answers, but listed below are some dance events this fall that feature artists striving to be relevant, each in their own unique way.
Courage Group and choreographer Todd Courage have been working under the radar the last few years, focusing primarily on creating repertory in residency programs around town, and gaining a loyal audience that extends beyond the local dance community. Courage's work is misleading for its glam component, but don't be fooled and look a little deeper, there's plenty of gravitas to anchor the fluff. (ODC Theatre, Sept. 14-16.)
Tony Award-winner and tap-dancing phenomenon Savion Glover brings his latest production, Classical Savion, to Cal Performances (Zellerbach Hall, Sept. 22.) The program showcases Glover's distinct tap style with classical music as well as jazz. When asked "Why classical music?" Glover's response was simple: "It was just the next thing on the list for me to attack, in terms of music." The program will feature works by Vivaldi, Dvor‡k, Bach, Bart—k, Shostakovich and Mendelssohn, as well as a jazz section with Glover's band The Otherz.
Probably one of the Bay Area's most underrecognized companies, Lizz Roman & Dancers specialize in performance installations that challenge everything that is proscenium. Roman's company is known for their physicality and expressiveness, and Blue Floor Reflections will be no exception. The new piece explores Artaud's industrial architecture, creating a multi-tiered playground for the 10 multi-disciplined, ripped dancers. (Project Artaud Theater, Sept. 21-Oct. 7.)
Another underrecognized local dance company is the Printz Dance Project (Cowell Theatre, Oct. 5-7). This company is extremely entertaining and has been carving out a solid reputation as a company that fuses elements of hip hop and jazz with modern dance technique. This season features beatboxer Infinite and hip hop composer Kraddy, with choreographer Stacey Printz's clean, athletic choreography.
Everyone's favorite queer performance outlaw, Keith Hennessy returns to the local stage with 2 Ways to Die (Dance Mission, Nov. 9-12), with Jules Beckman and Seth Eisen. Hennessy promises nudity, drag, politics and ritual, a promising combination for any Saturday night in San Francisco. Hennessy says one of the pieces, American Tweaker, is "so gay, it's about a middle-aged, middle-class homo speed-freak who can't get enough up his ass. Actually, it's based on a true story, and a metaphor about a speed-obsessed, never-satisfied culture."
The Japanese dance company Sankai Juku (Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Nov. 14-15) is one of the world's most well-known and skilled butoh companies, and this will be their first San Francisco appearance. This is a rare chance to see a phenomenal company that sets the standard for international butoh.
Every preview list has to have something that doesn't take itself too seriously, and this year's candidate is Frolic , SF's first CircusDragBurlesque Festival (Dec. 14-16). Where else but San Francisco and CounterPulse would you find a show that combines these three disciplines and not look silly (except in the best possible way)? Frolic combines Fauxnique, Miguel Chernus-Goldstein, Emily Leap, the Diamond Daggers, and Harlem Shake Burlesque, and features a different rock band every night.
Info: Cal Performances (510) 642-9988, ODC Theater (415) 863-9834, Project Artaud Theater (415) 863-9834, Cowell Theater (415) 345-7575, Dance Mission (415) 826-4401, SF Performances (415) 392-2545, CounterPulse (415) 435-7552.