CONDER/dance's season finale proved to be an
elegant showcase of pure modern dance with
touches of both classicism and experimental
edginess. Lovely dancers with diverse styles and
range executed choreographic selections light on
subtext and focused on movement for movement's
sake. Guest artists Keith Johnson/Dancers, Nugent Dance of Los Angeles, Crossing 32nd Street
Music Ensemble and Robert Dekkers of Ballet
Arizona were all featured in the show.
The evening's highlights included "The Private Sector," a refreshing tango trio choreographed by Carley Conder that maintains a sense of tension and energy crackling through the bodies while
incorporating humor and whimsy. Conder subtly
pokes fun at power struggles and corporate
politics while the three performers not-so-subtly
manipulate the space and each other. This piece is
immediately accessible and fun with zesty music
by Astor Piazzolla.
Another highlight was choreographer Mary Fitzgerald's "The Weight of Light," which
concludes the first half of the concert. The work
has a moody presence and intensity layered with
propulsive speed and energy, excellently staged
and performed by Conder's company. The musical
score by Glenn Hackbarth is refreshingly
abstract, an artful accompaniment for the dancers
and effective video projection. As strong as this
piece is choreographically, the costume choice of
cargo pants and ponytails detracted from the
visual impact of the piece as a whole, making
the company appear more regional and student-like
than they actually are.
Keith Johnson's company performed "The Presence
of Absense," an eloquent piece with incredible
movers performing Johnson's inventive,
free-jointed choreographic style and loose sense
of rhythm.
The inclusion of a classically-inspired
ballet selection in the evening's repertoire
added lush texture and diversity to the program's
content. Robert Dekkers' duet "IV:XI" featured
Ballet Arizona dancers Chelsea Saari and Ryan
Early. The dancers struggled with eachother
throughout the pas de deux and attention settled
on the woman's obvious sartorial misfortune: A leotard worn over bare legs that continually rode up everywhere possible, exposing far more than a
lovely pair of legs. On Friday night the piece
seemed generally off and the partnering looked
forced; I suspect it was much more successful the
following night. Despite its problems, the piece
was well-received by the audience, evidenced by
the heartiest applause of the evening.
The program offered two less riveting dances by
CONDER/dance company member Christina Harrison:
"The Defining Line" and "Ode to Blue Nudes."
Both were inspired by Henri Matisse paintings,
but neither were fully developed works when
compared with the rest of the concert.
Harrison's choreography demonstrates a flair for
ensemble work but quickly settles into the
tedious scenario of an individual pitted against
the others. Her work is successful in it's
effectively simple stage design, especially in
"Ode to Blue Nudes:" Large white paper circles
are fastened to the floor and transformed into
luminous orbs by lighting designer Carolyn Koch.
Conder and company collectively created
"Moving Target;" the movement is propulsive and
subtle, enigmatic yet defined. The group
designs patterns that expand and contract with
moody radiance and with the music itself. The
presence of the Crossing 32nd Street musicians on
stage behind the dancers was effective: A chief
pleasure of watching people dance to music,
especially live music, is the way it can make you
hear differently, hear better. About juxtapositions and nuance, beginnings and endings, this piece is threaded together with
admirable facility, if a bit longer than
necessary. When the black
turtleneck-clad dancers retreat, there is a
beautiful moment as they vanish; their bodies
seem evaporate like mist. The program closes
with a highly successful piece ending an
impressive evening of dance in the East Valley.
CONDER/dance was founded in 2003 by artisitic
director and choreographer Carley Conder. Ms.
Conder's work earned the Grand Prize at the Palm
Deseert Choreography Competition in 2000. She
won the professional division of the 2006 Arizona
Choreography Competition and a 2006 Project Tier
Awardee through Regional Dance America.
Conder/dance traveled to New York to participate
in the Wave Rising Festival 2007, and created the
Breaking Ground Choreographer's Showcase in 2007
and will continue the series at Tempe Arts Center
in December 2008.
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