The Dance COLEctive (TDC) celebrates 20 years of cutting-edge choreography, innovative collaborations and mentorship of new choreographers with "Revelry/20 Years," a concert series March 11-20, 2016 at Links Hall at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago. The program comprises premieres, works by current and former company members and reconstructed repertory by alumni and special guests.
"I am not sure how I reached this milestone," commented Cole. "What I know is I want to embrace the moment and celebrate 20 years with all my collaborators, past and present-and I want to celebrate myself, too! You don't get this far without a loyal band of collaborators who have dedication, curiosity, personal drive and energy!" A sample of "where are they now?" information about past and current TDC members follows this release.
TDC has commissioned San Francisco-based choreographer Margaret Jenkins to create a solo work for Cole. "The work for Margi Cole moves through many quadrants: emotional, aesthetic and physical terrains," said Jenkins. "During the 10-minute work, Margi thrusts herself into an investigation of self and the space(s) she inhabits. Together we have created a solo that reflects her intelligence, wild and clear dancing and kinesthetic acuity. Having known Margi for decades now and admired her work and her tenacity, I am honored to have been commissioned to generate a solo in celebration of her 20th anniversary."
"Margaret Jenkins has been an important part of my journey as an artist," said Cole. "I have had the great pleasure of watching her work all these years through her relationship with The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. But hearing her talk about how she was making work, and the way she was working with her dancers in the studio in the late '80s when I was a student, was a turning point for me. The realization that I could be a thinking, making and moving collaborator excited me not only about performing but about making dances. Having the opportunity to work with her at this moment in my life as an artist is a tremendous gift!"
Cole is creating an as-yet untitled work to express her interest in bravery and such questions as: What is bravery? What is courage? Are they the same or different? What is aggression? How do we perceive bravery, define it or measure it?
Former TDC company member Madelyn Doyle's Harsh Harmonies explores the perception of good and evil and the necessity of both for both to exist. "How does one know what is acceptable without knowing what is unacceptable?," Doyle asked. "How does one know good without the existence of bad? Shadow needs light, stars need darkness, evil needs ideal."
In addition to her choreography for TDC, Doyle plans to set a revised excerpt of Cole's 2015 TDC premiere Creative Candor on her Repertory Dance Ensemble students from Riverside Brookfield High School, which they will perform during the second weekend of TDC's anniversary concert series.
Doyle continued, "TDC would not be what it is today without its dancers and their choreography. We have developed our language, environment and philosophy based on the years spent together. I have moved on, as have others, to share my knowledge and philosophy of dance, and TDC was a part of shaping that. As a high school dance teacher, and as a participant as choreographer and mentor, including my students in this experience speaks to the mission of this company and mentorship that not only Margi has passed on, but also TDC's dancers have passed on to others."
Shannon Edwards, in her seventh season with TDC, presents her work There There (2009), a continued exploration of finding comfort in times of inner conflict. "The piece attempts to resolve the constant need to be somewhere specific by finding comfort in familiar sensations," Edwards described. "Can familiarity fill the void of a distant home? Or do we become so separated from what was once so familiar that it becomes unfamiliar?"
Edwards continued, "Margi Cole and TDC have been an inspiration and a platform for my growth. Margi has mentored me as a dancer, performer and choreographer as she has mentored so many Chicago dance artists. I celebrate my personal growth and evolving maturity as we, more importantly, celebrate 20 exciting years of The Dance COLEctive."
The Second Line by former dancer Katie Petrunich is a celebratory manifestation inspired by New Orleans jazz funeral proceedings. An ensemble of TDC guest artists interpret how we dignify legacies, pay homage to the souls we part with and discover what we want to pass on to the world during our own lives. In a positive light, this work embodies the many reasons we honor our loved ones after they have passed.
"Dancing with TDC for six years was a positive, stable consistency in my life," shared Petrunich. "Margi Cole has been a powerful mentor, guiding the way with sensible artistic vision and helping me become a stronger dancer and more knowledgeable choreographer -all because she just gave me a chance. I worked hard to get to where I am, and she always supported and encouraged me in her own way. While I have grown dramatically during my time with TDC, it has been a joy to watch the company grow as well. Having been part of TDC's evolution, I am happy to celebrate its success with the people who helped make dance a part of my life."
The program also includes two duets from Cole's 2001 TDC work Reel to Real, with alternating casts of current and alumni dancers performing each weekend.
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