Spring 2009 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts

Chicago — Circle in the Square: New Works in Dance Theatre will present eight dances in two programs as part of a three year culminating event at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts on Saturday and Sunday March 21 and 22. This event brings together work that has been created and honed as part of Circle in the Square from 2006 – 2009.

Independent aerial artists Andrew Adams and Erika Gilfether will perform their duet, “Already There.” Set to Bach’s Suite for Cello #1, “Already There” is performed on the floor using no aerial equipment. The duet is an athletic exploration of two people who are inherently there for each other but do not see each other. “Already There” was originally choreographed for the living room at Cheney Mansion.

Christopher Ellis, Circle producer and associate artistic director of Voice of the City, will show “Zero Wun Niner Tango Copy,” his 2006 work that tells the story of a marital collapse during the tumultuous Vietnam Era. “Zero Wun Niner Tango Copy” features original text written by Mr. Ellis. For these performances, aerialists Jill Heyser and Andrew Adams will perform the role of the wife and the husband using aerial fabric.

Winifred Haun, Circle producer and artistic director of Winifred Haun & Dancers, will present a compilation of three of her works, “Promise (parts 1, 2 & 4).” All three parts premiered as part of Circle in the Square in 2006, 2007 & 2008, respectively. “Promise” is based on the women and psychological themes presented in the novel “East of Eden,” by John Steinbeck. This version of “Promise” features music by Maki Ishii, Kanye West and Jolie Holland.

An improvisation for two musicians, one projection artist and three dancers will be presented by The Impending Behavior Orchestra, directed by musician and composer Barry Bennett. The new work is titled, “Ghosts 2.0,” and examines the spaces and hallways between different terrestrial planes.

Circle producer and Artistic/Executive Director of Voice of the City Dawn Marie Galtieri will perform in her 2006 solo about pregnancy loss, “Woman With(out) Child.” The solo is based on a series of nine gestures occurring around several layers of beautiful, long, hanging fabric. “Woman With(out) Child” has been created and re-created for Glade Memorial Hall and the library at Pleasant Home. This dance can be seen only on Saturday, March 21.

Independent choreographer Dionna Pridgeon will show her group work “InStories,” which features a sound design that blends text, music, and found sound. “InStories” was first shown in 2008 at Voice of the City studio. This work can be seen only on Saturday evening March 21.

Venerable choreographer and founder of GORDONDANCE, Lonny Gordon, will perform in his newest solo, “Distant Autumn – Autumn Distanced.” Incorporating nuanced gestures and facial expressions and seven scrolls made of Japanese papers, “Distant Autumn – Autumn Distanced” describes the life cycle and the season of Autumn. Mr. Gordon’s latest work can be seen only on Sunday afternoon March 22.

The Space Movement Project, a collective of contemporary dance artists, will show two excerpts from their evening length work, “Dwelling.” This group work features an original sound design by Jeff Forest. The Space Movement Project can be seen only on Sunday afternoon March 22.

[Artists for the Saturday, March 21 at 7:30pm program are: Andrew Adams and Erika Gilfether, Christopher Ellis, Winifred Haun, The Impending Behavior Orchestra with Dawn Marie Galtieri, and Dionna PridGeon.

Artists for the Sunday, March 22 at 3:00pm program are: Andrew Adams and Erika Gilfether, Christopher Ellis, Winifred Haun, The Impending Behavior Orchestra with Lonny Gordon and The Space Movement Project.]

Circle in the Square: New Works in Dance Theatre will be presented Saturday, March 21at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3:00pm at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn in Chicago’s gold coast neighborhood. Parking is available for a reduced rate at the public lot at 1025 N. Clark St. The Ruth Page Theatre is near the Clark & Division stop on the CTA red line. Tickets will be available at the door and they are $25/general admission, $20/students and seniors. Group rates are available. For reservations dial 773.782.9471.
For more info about Circle in the Square, click here

For more info about the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, click here

For a map and directions here