Dance in the Age of Pandemic

Even in a pandemic, dancers can’t and don’t stop dancing.  Respected and inventive Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre graciously tacked up a Youtube video in late March showing what can happen when creativity just won’t be constrained.  Using a series of movements developed by choreographer Alice Klock, a dozen dancers interpret and perform them as they’re individually sequestered in their own homes.  Doubtless there are other videos posted with a similar purpose, but this one is full of the intimate magic that rests at dance’s core. A satisfying morsel of “art while we’re apart”. 

The dance theatre followed up with a similar and more refined effort on April 7^th.   This time dancers perform an excerpt from Root, a piece created by Monique Haley and Joe Cerqua as the action moves from dancing alone and in isolation to a past performance where they all dance collectively together.  Brennen Renteria deserves enthusiastic recognition for coordinating and creating this delightful project.

Like all dance companies, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre’s survival may be tied to the generosity of those who are able to help.  If you can, consider donating through the link below.

https://www.cerquarivera.org/donate?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email%20newsletter

Other dance companies attempt to stay viable by offering virtual classes to the public and other sustaining initiatives to see them through this unprecedented crisis.  Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, whose work is grounded in American and African American dance, will bolster its programing with not only online classes beginning April 14^th, but will also offer a series of discussions on personal growth and self-awareness in a program called The Continuum Process.  Additionally, the company plans to hold their on-site Summer Dance Intensive from June 22 – July 18 at the Logan Center in Hyde Park. 

For more information, contact:  https://deeplyrooteddancetheater.org/