Spectrum Dance Theater Presents ICONO-CLAN 4/25, 4/26

Spectrum Dance Theater, Seattle Theatre Group's resident dance company, since 2006, presents Icono-Clan, a Mainstage production at The Moore Theatre on April 25th at 8:00pm and April 26th at 5:00pm.

This evening-length production will celebrate three outstanding powerhouses of the American dance scene: Merce Cunningham, arguably the country's greatest living choreographer; Gus Solomons Jr., a seminal figure in postmodern and experimental dance; and Donald Byrd, the most unconventional provocateur and dance maker/thinker of our times. While Solomons and Byrd were both influenced by the more mature Cunningham as young men, each evolved a distinctive voice as choreographers and directors of leading dance companies. Icono-Clan will showcase and honor the work of these three dance champions, whose separate and intertwined paths have significantly shaped contemporary dance today.

Icono-Clan begins with a historic dance reconstruction of Landrover, choreographed by the Centralia, Washington born Cunningham and premiered by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1972. Set to music by 20th century's most acclaimed avant-garde composers, John Cage, Gordon Mumma and David Tudor, Landrover has not been performed since a 1980 "revival" by the Cunningham Company at City Center in New York City. Originally in four parts, the Spectrum dancers will perform sections from Landrover I and II. Sandra Neels, a key dancer in Cunningham's company for 10 years, will travel to Seattle to restage the work. Spectrum's revival gives Northwest audiences their first-ever opportunity to view Landrover, which represents a major turning-point in the Cunningham legacy.

The reconstruction of Statements of Nameless Roots, with choreography by Gus Solomons Jr, is Icono-Clan's second presentation. Originally premiered at New York City's Dance Theater Workshop in 1976, Solomons created this piece to explore the qualities of five new dancers. A sound score was also developed by Solomons, using feedback from the microphone of his Sony tape recorder

Icono-Clan concludes with Sentimental Cannibalism,* choreographed by Spectrum's artistic director, Donald Byrd. Initially created for Phoenix Dance, a contemporary dance company based in Leeds, England, Sentimental Cannibalism became part of the 1993 evening length work Bristle, performed by Donald Byrd/The Group (1978 -2002). Sentimental Cannibalism is an electrifying work that explores two hot topics: seduction and the gender war. Spectrum dancers demonstrate extraordinary mastery of Byrd's super fast, high energy, and authentic style.
*Sentimental Cannibalism contains some sexually explicit content, and therefore may not be appropriate for children age 14 and under.

Tickets: Spectrum Dance Theater tickets go on sale Friday, February 27, 2009 and are $15.00 - $29.50 (not including fees). Purchase tickets online at www.stgpresents.org, by phone at (877) STG-4TIX, in person at The Paramount Theatre box office, Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm and The Moore Theatre box office Tuesday through Friday 11:00am-2:30pm and 3:15pm-6:00pm or at venue kiosks. The Moore Theatre is located at 1932 Second Avenue in downtown Seattle.
About Spectrum Dance Theater
Established in 1982, Spectrum Dance Theater is the largest professional contemporary dance company in Washington, presenting work by Artistic Director Donald Byrd and guest artists, with a focus on Northwest choreographers. Its mission is to make dance accessible - without limitations - to the community through contemporary performances -and high-quality training in a variety of dance styles. Three organizational components comprise Spectrum: the Professional Company, the School, serving over 500 students, and Outreach Programs. Spectrum honors its commitment to accessibility by ensuring that its performances and dance classes are affordable and diverse, thus making its programs available to non-traditional audiences.

Under Donald Byrd's visionary artistic leadership since 2002, Spectrum has embarked on an exhilarating transformation that has attracted world-class dancers, produced some of the most engaging works in contemporary dance, and generated acclaim in both local and national press Spectrum's educational programs offer 71 weekly classes to youth and adults at the Madrona Dance Studio, its home for over 25 years. The Academy Program, for dancers 14 to 21 years old, was launched in 2006 and has grown to become the only pre-professional contemporary dance training center in the region.

About Seattle Theatre Group
Seattle Theatre Group is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

 

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