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09.01.06

Contacts: Sally Corbett, 404-727-6678, sacorbe@emory.edu, or Nancy Condon, nancy.condon@emory.edu, 404-727-1687

2006-2007 Emory Dance Season Offers a Broad Palette Highlighted by Works by Master of Modern Dance, José Limón

Release written by Kendall Simpson

Rich in movement dynamics, expression and musicality, the 2006-2007 Emory Dance season will please a variety of tastes, and through three of its six events including visits by guest artists reveal the crucial role José Limón (1908-1972) played in the development of modern dance as we know it. The season opens with a lecture, “ Limón’s Choreography as a Cultural Reconciliation,” sponsored by the Emory Friends of Dance and open to the public. This illustrated lecture will be presented by Ann Vachon, professor of dance at Temple University , on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Reception Hall of the Michael C. Carlos Museum (free). The lecture focuses on José Limón’s struggle to come to terms with the political and religious inconsistencies he encountered when trying to reconcile the values of his family’s culture with the beliefs he came to hold as an American artist, and the manifestations of that struggle in his choreography. Limón, a pivotal figure in the development of modern dance, moved to the United States from Mexico as a young man, and went on in 1946 to found with Doris Humphrey (1895-1958) the José Limón Dance Company. Vachon serves as director of the Limón Institute and danced with the Limón Dance Company from 1958 until 1975.

The next major Limón event of the 2006-2007 season will be a performance engagement with the José Limón Dance Company on Oct. 12-14 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 14-15 at 2 p.m. Acclaimed for its dramatic expression, technical mastery and expansive, yet nuanced movement, the Limón Dance Company illustrates the timelessness of Limón’s work and vision. The Company is now led by Carla Maxwell, who worked closely with Limón before becoming Artistic Director in 1978. The Company’s repertory balances classic works with commissions from contemporary choreographers. The highlight piece of the evening will be Lim ó n’s 1958 masterwork “Missa Brevis” (literally, a “short mass”), which will be performed by both the company dancers and Atlanta community dancers.

The season includes two Fieldwork Showcases, also in the Dance Studio, featuring new works created by community artists in various disciplines. The first Fieldwork Showcase takes place on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. The second, cosponsored by Several Dancers Core, is scheduled for April 29 at 7 p.m. The $7 tickets may be purchased only at the door.

In the spirit of celebrating Women’s History Month, the Dance Program will curate a noontime showing of dance works celebrating women by Emory and Atlanta artists on March 29 in the Reception Hall of the Michael C. Carlos Museum (free).

The final large performance of the season is a diverse and dynamic program of new dance works performed and choreographed by Emory dance students. The ever-popular Emory Dance Company Spring Concert takes place April 26-28 at 8 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m. in the Dance Studio of the Schwartz Center. Ticket prices are $8, $4 for discount category members and Emory students with I.D. Tickets always sell out quickly for this event so plan ahead!

Tickets for dance and all other Arts at Emory events go on sale Sept. 12 for the general public and September 8 for Emory faculty, staff, students and Friends group members. For ticket purchase and additional information call 404-727-5050 or go to www.dance.emory.edu.

The Friends of Dance Lecture Series experienced its genesis in fall 1998 with internationally renowned dance scholar and historian Sally Banes. The Friends present biannual lectures each fall and spring with the intent of offering the larger Atlanta community themes that are topically challenging, artistically stimulating and intellectually enriching in the field of dance. This is the only lecture series in the Atlanta area focused exclusively on dance. A second Emory Friends of Dance lecture is scheduled for Feb. 2007 (details forthcoming).

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