Three of San Francisco's most prominent lesbian choreographers break out this spring with new projects that reflect the depth and breadth of queer women creating work in a culture dominated by heteronormativity and patriarchy.
On March 14, Krissy Keefer and the Dance Brigade bring their unique brand of artmaking, social change and athletic choreography to the Herbst Theater. A Storm of Roses: Women Against War is Keefer's third outing where she combines artists and anti-war activists, this year featuring musicians Holly Near and Ferron, choreographer Anne Bluethenthal and appearances by politicians Carol Migden and Barbara Lee.
The first Women Against War event was produced in 2002 on the first anniversary of 9/11. That event was also at the Herbst, and in Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz. The performances were an attempt to counteract the aggressive political tactics of the Bush Administration, and provide an alternative to the rhetoric that was being organized against Iraq. Women artists from the Bay Area were invited to speak about the politics of aggression, and create a vision for peace. The performances sold out, and Keefer realized there was a real need for a strong voice in the anti-war community. In 2003, accompanying anti-war protests in San Francisco and other cities, Dance Brigade performed again, and found that audiences were still responding positively.
Keefer says, "Many of the original pundits said that we would be in and out in six months. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. It has been a hard road for anti-war activists, and many women in this country have made it their life's work to protest this war." Storm of Roses is designed to be an artistic and political expression with music and dance that recognizes individuals and groups for their contributions against the war.
Dance Brigade is known for its highly charged political, feminist dance theatre, and will perform a new piece appropriately titled A Storm of Roses. The new piece, choreographed by Keefer, uses imagery of beauty in the midst of chaos with text, choreography and taiko drumming. Dance Brigade weaves this imagery with athletic movement set to intense percussions, creating an experience that is visceral and compelling.
After her appearance at the Herbst, Bluethenthal will present a full evening of her choreography at the Project Artaud Theater beginning March 21. The new work, Carino-Economy of the Heart, is a project that Bluethenthal has been working on for a year. Says Bluethenthal, "We need to create a new paradigm whose roots are deeply in the ground of caring instead of greed, where individual and collective action can powerfully turn the tide of destruction." Carino features a strong cast of collaborators, including musicians Ajayi Lumumba and Melanie DeMore, poet Judy Grahn and muralist Nadine Gay.
On March 12, Purple Moon Dance Project emerges with an event that also focuses on the accomplishments of women, especially women of color and lesbians. Director and choreographer Jill Togawa created an evening called In Honor of Our Dream Speakers, now celebrating its second anniversary. The event, hosted by broadcast journalist Wendy Tokuda, features recognition of five women whose work inspires social change, peace and healing. Says Togawa, "DreamSpeakers honors a multi-ethnic group of women whose groundbreaking work spans all media, from visual and graphic arts to dance, performance and music. By focusing their artistic expression through the lens of social activism, our DreamSpeaker honorees have given shape, voice and power to communities often left out of the mainstream." The event features dance, and performances by poet Jewelle Gomez and jazz musician Rhiannon. Tickets are $75, with sliding-scale available.
A Storm of Roses at Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., SF, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets ($20-$50): (415) 392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com.
Anne Bluethenthal and Dancers at Project Artaud Theater, 450 Florida St., SF, March 21-23, 27-29. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com. Info (415) 706-9535, abdproductions.org/carino .
In Honor of Our Dream Speakers at Brava Theater, 2789 24th St., SF, March 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets: www.manja.org purplemoondance.org, (415) 552-1105