| 20 August 2010
In the final instalment of the Booking Dance Festival's extensive programme, ATHLETIC provides yet another astonishing array of world-class contemporary dance.The three New York City-based companies manage to span the breadth of modern dance styles, from the complex and exquisitely crafted movements of Michael Mao Dance to a sultry and crowd-pleasing Argentinian Tango from Ballroom Dancing for Tough Guys. This show provides a digestible introduction to contemporary dance whilst still maintaining exceptionally high standards.
The award-winning Michael Mao's contribution includes the world premiere of China Moves, a complex and mesmerising dance mirrored by the jarring sounds of modern composer HuangRuo. While introducing a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the art form, the Ballroom Dancing for Tough Guys duo teach us what it means to find the perfect dancing partner. Through popular musical accompaniments (including a delightfully humorous dance to Bruce Springsteen's Fire) the character and charisma of the two performers and their on-stage chemistry is ever present.
Last but certainly not least, Donna Scro's Freespace Dance present a mind-blowing trio of performances. Portrait, illustrating the complexity and range of the social interactions of everyday life, sees its seven dancers fluidly weave around each other. The impressive female duet Nameste celebrates the strength and power of the female form through yoga-like poses, whilst the hugely energetic finale performance, Butt Rock, perfectly captures the raw emotion of the Rock music genre.
Never failing to impress, Athletic reaffirms the Booking Dance Festival's continuing success at showcasing the best of American dance. Well worth seeing.
EICC, 12-15 Aug, 2.30pm
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