"Bike Love" in Adaptations. photo: Larry Hanelin
In 2006, discussion about Proposition 107 (a proposed amendment to the Arizona constitution which would ban same-sex marriage, which was subsequently voted down) prompted NEW ARTiculations Dance Theatre (NEW ART) to produce Re:Configurations, a glimpse of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender relationships through modern dance.
In 2007, We Are What We Eat was produced by NEW ART in collaboration with the Community Food Bank. This show was an exploration of the complex food systems that sustain human life. Last season NEW ART brought The Invisible City, a creative response to the issues of public space and construction surrounding downtown. Kore Press was the other half of that collaborative effort, which used Downtown Tucson as a laboratory.
This season, NEW ART is confronting another timely community issue through dance on our recovering or failing economy (depending on whether you’re a glass half full or half empty type of person).
Unfortunately, the dance company also felt the sting of statewide budget cuts.
“As dancers we’re used to operating on very little so it’s not much of a mind shift. We’ve just used this challenge as a way to respond creatively,” explains Special Projects Director Kimi Eisele.
The result is Adaptations, a collection of new pieces and adapted works. The show will explore life, love, the past, present, future, and what happens when you don’t adapt to change.
“When we don’t adapt to change we die, either literally or our spirit dies because we’re stuck,” adds Eisele.Adaptations will also feature an Afro-Brazilian piece created by Batucaxé’s Dance Director Yarrow King. The piece traces the journey of Yoruba dance from West Africa via Brazil.
Adaptations will be performed on Friday and Saturday, April 16 and 17, at ZUZI! Theatre in the Historic Y at 738 N. 5th Ave. The shows start at 8 p.m. and tickets are $12-$15.
After this show NEW ART will be partnering with The Rillito River Project and “bringing movement to the riverbed,” according to Eisele. The dance company hopes to promote conservation and awareness through this collaboration. Eisele states that community engagement is also a priority. “We plan to cast a wide net and to involve a lot of community members, not just dancers.”
For more on Adaptations or NEW ART visit NewArticulations.org.
