Kung Fu Kitsch
Shaolin
Warriors
[presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society]
Lisner
Auditorium
Washington, D.C.
November 15, 2003
By Lisa Traiger
copyright © 2003 by Lisa Traiger
Cultural
continuity may be why the Shaolin monks say they tour, sharing their spectacularly
fearless, breathe catching kung fu techniques with Western audiences.
The show they put on—and it definitely is a show—is two hours
of tumbling tricks and hand-to-hand and armed weapons combat. Whips, axes,
broadswords, spears, daggers, and even fans provide thrills and chills.
Ever see a man mince bok choy on his stomach? How about a threesome who
crack metal bars and wooden sticks in two on their foreheads? Or a man
cracking two-handed double whips at the speed of sound? How about the
guy who reclines on a bed of swords, a bed of nails above him and a cement
block atop that. Then comes the sledgehammer down to crack that block
in two. Talk about cringe inducing, spine tingling kinesthesia. All together
now, let out a deep breathe.
read review
Underdeveloped Pursuit of Happiness
"Pursuit
of Happiness—Evening of Dance, Words, and Live Music"
Nancy Havlik Dance Performance Group
Jack Guidone Theater
Joy of Motion Dance Center
Washington, DC
November 15, 2003
by Tehreema
Mitha
copyright © 2003
Tehreema Mitha
The
evening started with a “Monologue” on the cello played by
Jodi Beder, a principal cellist of Princeton Symphony Orchestra. The piece
was created by composer Minako Tanahashi Tokuyama and we were told that
it blended her oriental background and western sensibilities and was based
on the extreme emotional pitches of kabuki theater. To my mind this was
not the piece to start with. It had far too many short bits, in which
you barely got into the mood, and which is not what one associates with
the oriental way of preparing an audience. A little passage would end
just when you started to really listen, and then the cellist would stop
and turn the page.
And so it
was that only the last little section of this item was something one could
get one's teeth into and yes, it was juicy! This last offering was truly
beautiful, and one could lose oneself in the subtlety with which the work
was composed and the art of the cellist as she plucked on the deeper strands
of our heartstrings. I only wished that it could go on, but it was gone
on the breath of a sigh.
read review
What's On This Week?
November
21-22
Project Bandaloop: Crossings
Project Bandaloop, a performance group comprised of dancers,
climbers, and riggers under the direction of Amelia Rudolph, presents
Crossings: Stories of Gravity and Transformation. This promising new work
incorporates aerial dance, modern dance, images and stories of the group
in their journey across the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The Eisenhower Theater
The Kennedy Center
2700 F Street, NW
202-467-4600
Every
Thursday-Saturday until November 23
The PlayGround: Buried in the Sky
Daniel Burkholder and The PlayGround, an improvisational performance group,
premieres Buried in the Sky, in conjunction with DC’s Theater Alliance
presentation of The Dispute. This fusion of improvisation and choreography
is “inspired by Tibetan burial rituals” and implements a landscape
of white feathers.
H Street Playhouse
1365 H Street, NE
301-996-3797
November
17-18
Maryland Dance Ensemble
University of Maryland dance students present their latest concert. The
program includes a new work by Doug Nielsen and Shadow Behind the Sun
by Dan Wagoner. Under the direction of Alcine Wiltz, chair of the dance
department, the performance also features works by Maryland faculty members.
Clarice Smith Center
University of Maryland
301-405-2787
November
22
Raas Chaos 2003
George Washington University’s South Asian Society, a student group,
hosts its annual Raas competition. Teams of students will compete in one
of the largest South Asian cultural events on the East Coast. Performances
mix traditional South Asian dance and more contemporary styles, including
hip-hop and modern.
Lisner Auditorium
George Washington University
301- 808-6900.
November
22-23
Bailes Ineditos: An evening of Flamenco
Flamenco dancers Edwin Aparicio and Anna Menendez present their
first self-produced and directed project. Aparicio and Menendez’s
careers have allowed them to perform throughout the D.C. area, as well
as Spain. They will incorporate their travels into Bailes Ineditos. The
performance will also feature guitarist Richard Marlow and vocalist Jesus
Montoya.
Jack Guidone Theater
Joy of Motion, Friendship Heights
202-362-3042
November
22-23
Tiempo de Tango
The sensuality of tango arrives at Dance Place with Deside la
Orilla. The Argentine company presents a dance that tells a fairytale
of a girl, an artist and an ocean.
Dance Place
3225 8th Street, NE
202-269-1600
—Mary Tisa and Liz Bartolomeo
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