dancer on pointe supported by fellow dancer

Pittsburgh Dance Council Spring 2021 Programming Announced

Wed, Jun 17, 2020

Written by: Randal Miller

The Pittsburgh Dance Council’s 50th Anniversary season was filled with triumphs, but our celebration was muted by a global pandemic that changed our lives. The path to welcoming you back to the Cultural District is not without its obstacles. The safety and experience of our audiences and artists were central to my decisions as I finalized the coming season, which will begin in January 2021 and feature four amazing companies.

The artists on our Spring 2021 season each shine brilliantly on their own merits but our appreciation of them is deepened when viewed through the lens of connectivity, whether that be through a comparison of form, the relationship between choreographers and dancers, or the lines that connect the past, the present and the future.

a group of dancers from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago throw their hats in the air

 

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago opens the Spring 2021 season in January

 

We will reopen in January with one of our country’s most renowned repertory companies, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, whose program will include works by two choreographers featured last season: Osnel Delgado of Malpaso Dance Company and Ohad Naharin of Batsheva Dance Company. Repertory companies are uniquely skilled as shapeshifters who bring the visions of multiple choreographers to life. However, each of these companies retains a unique fingerprint which changes the way these ideas are manifested and makes them particularly inspiring to experience.

a dancer on the shoulders of another with a dress on

 

Pilobolus returns in the Big Five-Oh!

 

The inspiration of experiences provides the context for new paths forward, as the histories of two companies on this season illustrate. In 1994, Complexions Contemporary Ballet was founded by two former Alvin Ailey principal dancers, Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, and has since moved forward to establish a body of work known for its beauty, strength and intentionality. Pilobolus, whose original members included Momix founder Moses Pendelton, has inspired generations of dance makers with their signature style and will be celebrating 50 years of creation with us. Each of these companies has broadened how we define dance and inspired others to do the same.

Reframing dance, what it means, and our expectations around it, has been a cornerstone of my work with the Dance Council. I have focused my energy to bring innovative, outdoor, and site-specific pieces that entertain while challenging preconceptions. I am grateful for the overwhelming support that Pittsburgh has shown for these endeavors and I am now excited to announce our next adventure.

contemporary skaters on ice

 

Le Patin Libre will perform at MassMutal Pittsburgh Rink at PPG Place in March

 

Le Patin Libre is a Montreal-based company whose work is derived from the disciplines of contemporary dance and figure skating. The combination of these forms creates a style of movement that is truly original and unforgettable. This event will take place in March 2021 at the iconic MassMutual Pittsburgh Rink at PPG Place.

In addition to our four season shows, I am excited to announce that Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, presented by BNY Mellon, which was previously scheduled to close our 50th Anniversary season, has been rescheduled for April 2021. This company carries a strong historic connection to the Pittsburgh Dance Council as the first company we presented back in 1969.

As the world gets back on its feet, we will look toward the arts to remind us of our humanity and all the feelings and experiences that come with it. I look forward to welcoming you back and sharing these experiences with you.

Learn more about renewing your season ticket package or purchasing a new subscription at TrustArts.org/Dance.

Randal Miller is the Director of Dance Programming and Special Projects for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

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