Dancers are returning to rehearsal studios and fall dance productions abound. RI has a lot to offer this season, starting with Island Moving Company’s fabulous production of Second Star to the Right: A Tale of Hook and Pan. This marvelous endeavor takes place aboard the deck and rigging of the Oliver Hazard Perry Tall Ship as well as along the shoreline of the North Pier at Adams State Park in Newport. The highly creative production by Island Moving Company’s artistic director, Miki Ohlsen, promises pirates galore as Wendy and Peter embark on their daring adventure, set to an original score by Toby Andrews. The movement is bold and strong, with hints of childlike vulnerability and wonder. Performances are September 6 at 6pm, September 7 at 4 and 6pm, September 8 at 2 and 6pm and September 9 at 1 & 3pm for ages 10 and up.
Island City Moving Company also announced a new production, Far to Near, coming this fall to the Casino Theatre in Newport. This production will feature new works by choreographers from Puerto Rico, Italy and Newport. Far to Near will offer the world premiere of a new work by Simona De Tullio, the director of the Breathing Art Company in Bari, Italy. De Tullio has shown her work and has worked with international dancers in Germany, Spain, Hungary and Albania with the mission to give young talent an opportunity to explore the art of dance. De Tullio has often stated that her work is greatly influenced by the contemporary ballet legend Alonzo King Lines Ballet.
Choreographer Rodney Rivera from Puerto Rico also will be featured in this production. Rivera has been presented in international dance festivals including Miami International Ballet Festival, Festival de Ballet de la Habana Cuba and the World Ballet Competition. The production is a rare opportunity to see the Island Moving Company on a traditional proscenium stage.
Festival Ballet Providence has a wonderful fall season planned as they celebrate Mihailo Djuric’s 20th season as the leader of the company. The season features world and company premieres, including a brand new chatterBOXtheater production: Robin Hood, by Festival Ballet School alumna Mary Ellen Beaudreau. Robin Hood, which performs at the Company’s own Black Box Theatre on Hope Street in Providence, runs October 13 and 14 and October 20 and 21. Music has yet to be determined, but dancers have returned to the studios to begin this exciting new piece.
Up Close on Hope, Program 1, also being performed at the Festival Ballet Black Box Theatre, promises a mixed repertory that includes a wide range of choreography from established and emerging choreographers. Up Close on Hope, Program 1, runs November 9, 10, and 11 and November 16 and 17.
FirstWorks Artistic Icons series presents PILOBOLUS Come to Your Senses. PILOBOLUS is “a mind-blowing troupe of wildly creative and physically daring dancers who leap, fly, intertwine and break all the rules” (NY Newsday). You will be amazed as they test the limits of human physicality by exploring the beauty and power of connected bodies. This engaging, amusing, innovative evening of dance will include the Rhode Island premiere of Branches, a new work celebrating the natural world, commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow. The single performance of this piece takes place on October 26 at 8pm at The Vets.
Finally, look to our local colleges and universities for their fall dance concerts to experience the emerging artists of tomorrow.
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