Musiqa and NobleMotion Dance to Present TONAL IMPACT at Zilkha Hall, 4/24-25

Musiqa and NobleMotion Dance join forces in Tonal Impact, a dynamic evening of music and dance at The Hobby Center's Zilkha Hall, April 24-25 at 7:30 PM. Musiqa, winner of the 2013 Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, matches wits with the physically daring and visually stunning work of NobleMotion Dance. The evening features original compositions by Pierre Jalbert and Marcus Maroney, a light and technology installation from Jonathan Kinsey and David J Deveau, and performances by some of Houston's best contemporary dancers and musicians. Tonal Impact is a bold evening that will awaken the senses.

Two Shades of Gay, a contemporary waltz poking fun of teenage sexuality, takes an unconventional approach to the creative process. The traditional order of dance responding to music was turned upside down. The movement was created entirely in silence, filmed, and provided to Musiqa composer Marcus Maroney. Marcus then had the challenge of creating a musical score that fit inside the movement structure as well as capturing the subject matter. Together the dance and the music break the framework of the waltz and head into the surreal. Dancers waltz back-to-back, head-to-chest, and hide behind lampshades. The social structure and gender roles within the waltz unfurl and reflect a 21st century coming of age story. Marcus states, "The choreography provides me with a visual canvas; I feel like a painter guided by the shapes, movements and timing of the dance. It may be surprising, but having a limit on freedom as a composer is comforting for me, and the framework of the Nobles' creation gives me more perspective to judge when to compose 'within the lines' and when to draw my music outside them."

Harvest, a collaboration with Musiqa composer Pierre Jalbert, is another old world dance in a contemporary setting. Inspired by the works of Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey, Harvest reflects on how communities overcome a lack of resources. Stark, ritualistic, and dramatic, it is a new kind of work for NobleMotion. "Both Dionne and I have danced historical works, so it is fun to return to our performing roots," states Andy Noble.

The evening also showcases NobleMotion's penchant for technology as a re-imagined excerpt from Dark Matter returns. Jonathan Kinsey and David Deveau create interactive real-time projection design and alter the performance space into a digital explosion of colors and reflections of the dancing body.

The world premier of A Motorcycle for Moses rounds out the program. Set to the music of John Adams, it is a playful romp that showcases our dancers physicality. "It will be a fantastic evening of music and dance and we can't wait to share it with Houston," states Dionne Noble.

Tickets range between $25 - $35. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheHobbyCenter.org or by calling 713.315.2525.

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