underground, by Gary Noel

David Dorfman Dance

World Premiere

September 25, 26 & 27 * 8:00 p.m.
September 28 * 3:00 p.m.

Disavowal (World Premiere)
September 25 & 28

underground
September 26 & 27

Since its founding in 1985, David Dorfman Dance has been celebrated for its exuberant, gorgeous and “delightfully oddball” style. The company has garnered an impressive list of critical honors, including seven New York Dance and Performance Awards (Bessies). On the program at The Dance Center are two socially and politically charged evening-length works. Disavowal, a world premiere inspired by abolitionist and (in)famous “race traitor” John Brown, is a critical examination of white supremacy, racism and alienation. underground is a compelling and provocative exploration of the principles of political activism that asks: When does activism become terrorism? Are killing and destruction ever justified? underground incorporates a community cast of 15–20 local dancers.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Related Film Screenings
Columbia College Chicago
Ludington Bldg., Film Row Cinema
1104 S. Wabash Ave., 8th floor
Free Admission

Traces of the Trade
Tuesday, September 9 * 6:30 p.m.
In this feature documentary, filmmaker Katrina Browne discovers that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide.
http://www.tracesofthetrade.org/

John Brown’s Holy War
Tuesday, September 16 * 6:30 p.m.
Martyr, madman, murderer, hero: John Brown remains one of history's most controversial and misunderstood figures. In the 1850s, he and his ragtag guerrilla group embarked on a righteous crusade against slavery that was based on religious faith -- yet carried out with shocking violence. His execution set off a chain of events that led to the Civil War.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/brown/

Weather Underground
Tuesday, September 23 * 6:30 p.m.
Thirty years ago, a group of young American radicals announced their intention to overthrow the U.S. government. In THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, former Underground members, including Bernardine Dohrn, Bill Ayers, Mark Rudd, David Gilbert and Brian Flanagan, speak publicly about the idealistic
passion that drove them to "bring the war home" and the trajectory that placed them on the FBI's most wanted list.
http://www.upstatefilms.org/weather/main.html

OTHER EVENTS

Movement Workshop with David Dorfman

thursday, September 18 * 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
800 S. Halstead

Free admission. Open to the Public.

With the idea of dance as a form of activism, workshop participants will learn strategies for using movement as social and personal commentary. Dorfman will guide participants to find compositional means for exploring areas about which they are passionate. The workshop will begin with a warm-up, followed by brief discussion, then movement geared towards understanding ways to approach choreography rooted in awareness and promoting social justice.

DanceMasters Class, led by David Dorfman

Monday, September 22 * 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago, Theater entrance

Moving with momentum, the class will range in styles from release-based work connecting with the floor to an eclectic standing modern class. Concepts such as a weighted and grounded approach to movement, harnessing the body's momentum and force, varying approaches to contact and partnering, emphasis on intent and focus, and compositional choices through improvisation may be included. more info...

Post-Performance Discussion

Thursday, September 25
Free and open to ticket holders

Complimentary Post-Performance Reception

Friday, September 26
Location TBD
Open to ticket holders. Sponsored by Newcity.

Download high-res photos here.

The Dance Center’s presentation of David Dorfman Dance is funded, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts.