From the Horse's Mouth to Honor Dance Legend Gus Solomons jr

In celebration of his career as dancer, choreographer, actor, writer and educator, From the Horse's Mouth will dedicate its next theater/dance performance event to Gus Solomons jr, a pioneer and dance legend whose life-long accomplishments exemplify a storied career spanning more than 60 years.

The weekend celebration, at 8pm on Friday, April 1 and 2, and 3pm on Sunday, April 3, will include three performances of From the Horse's Mouth at the Theater at the 14th Street Y. More than 25 dancers, choreographers, critics and friends of the legendary dancer will participate.

The production will also include a special "Talk Back" with Mr. Solomons, hosted by Wendy Perron, former editor-in-chief of Dance Magazine, on Wednesday, March 30, 4-5:30pm in the same location.

Rare film footage, videos and multimedia will enhance this edition of From the Horse's Mouth unique blend of movement and storytelling. The productions have a simple structure: a cast member tells a personal story, and then performs movement of their own choosing, sometimes interacting with another dancer. Through the sharing of personal experiences by cast members, an insightful portrait of the charismatic and much-loved Gus Solomons jr will emerge. The intimate From the Horse's Mouth format provides the ideal vehicle in which to celebrate Gus' extraordinary life and legacy.

*Cast to include: Santa Aloi, Patricia Beaman, Michael Blake, Ty Boomershine, Wally Cardona, Yoshiko Chuma, Ze-eva Cohen, Kay Cummings, Carmen de Lavallade, Mary Kate Hartung, John Heginbotham, Margaret Jenkins, Deborah Jowitt, Phyllis Lamhut, Jonathan Matthews, Dianne McIntyre, Meredith Monk, Douglas Nielsen, Norton Owen, Wendy Perron, Pam Pietro, Christina Noel Reaves, Judith Ren-Lay, Pascal Rekoert, James Sutton, Alice Teirstein, David Vaughan, Martine van Hamel.

An MIT alum, Solomons danced with Pearl Lang, Donald McKayle, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham. In 2000, received a "Bessie"for Sustained Achievement in Choreography; in 2001, the first Robert A. Muh Award for a distinguished M.I.T. artist/alumnus; in 2004, the American Dance Festival's Balasaraswati/Joy Ann Dewey Beinecke Endowed Chair for Distinguished Teaching; in 2006-7, he was a national Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar. In 2010, Solomons received another Bessie Award for PARADIGM, his troupe of dancers over 50. FULL BIO BELOW.

This From the Horse's Mouth production is in association with the Dance Series at the 14th Street Y.

IF YOU GO:

CELEBRATING GUS SOLOMONS JR, PIONEER AND DANCE LEGEND

FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH

Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 at 8pm and Sunday, April 3 at 3pm.

"TALK BACK" WITH GUS SOLOMONS JR - Moderated by WENDY PERRON, former editor-in-chief of Dance Magazine - Wed. March 30 from 4 to 5:30pm

At The Theater at the 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th St (between 1st and 2nd Avenues), New York, NY 10003

TICKETS: $25 General Admission; $15 Children, Students, Groups, Seniors & 14th St Y Members; $5 "Talk Back" with Gus Solomons jr - Free to 14th St Y Members

General 14Y Information: 212-780-0800

Created by Tina Croll & Jamie Cunningham, this celebratory dance/theater experience has received standing ovations and rave reviews across the United States and Canada for its captivating story-telling and exceptional dancing. Over the past 18 years From the Horse's Mouth has been presented in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Honolulu, Minneapolis, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, and Toronto, as well as Jacob's Pillow and the American Dance Festival. To date over 1,000 dancers, from ages 13 to 94, have participated, including Mary Anthony, Brenda Bufalino, Roxane Butterfly, Jane Comfort, Grover Dale, Gemze de Lappe, Carmen de Lavallade, David Dorfman, Viola Farber, John Jaspers, Kwikstep & Rokafella, Carol Lawrence, Yvonne Rainer, Gus Solomons Jr and Martine van Hamel.

Gus Solomons jr dances, makes dances, writes about dance for Dance Magazine, Gay City News, and www.solomons-says.com. He has a degree in architecture from M.I.T. and danced with Pearl Lang, Donald McKayle, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham, among others. He created the leading role in Donald Byrd's nationally acclaimed The Harlem Nutcracker; in 2000, received a N. Y. Dance and Performance Award (a.k.a. "Bessie") for Sustained Achievement in Choreography; in 2001, the first Robert A. Muh Award for a distinguished M.I.T. artist/alumnus; in 2004, the American Dance Festival's Balasaraswati/Joy Ann Dewey Beinecke Endowed Chair for Distinguished Teaching; in 2006-7, he was a national Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar. And in 2010, he received another Bessie Award for PARADIGM, his troupe of dancers over 50.

He is now embarking on a theater career and doing video commercials and film. In 2004, he appeared in John Torturro's feature film Romance & Cigarettes. In 2007, he made his New York onstage acting debut as Shakespeare's Othello in a production by Firebird productions. In June, 2012, he played a dual role in David Gordon's original play, Beginning of the End of the... in SoHo. He has appeared in TV commercials for Iceland Air, Connecticare, Merck, Spike TV, and Evian water among others. Chris Martin's production of Chess marked his musical theater debut. In spring 2014, he appeared in the forthcoming feature film, Fall to Rise, written and directed by Jayce Bartok. He bicycles everywhere.