Well, we were invited to the press event showcasing the 2015-2016 Ordway Center for the Performing Arts this past week. It looks like a really fantastic season - both in World Music & Dance, along with the Theater Season. Here is what you can look forward to this next season in World Music & Dance.
The first artist is Lula Washington performing on Oct 30, 2015. This will be a dance work that is based in the African-American culture. I've been watching some clips on youtube and it looks like really exciting work. Here is a promo video from the company.Next up - a band I have heard of numerous times and am excited are coming to town. Dengue Fever hails from Los Angeles and they combine Cambodian pop music with psychedelic rock. At least that is how they started. Quite a lot of their music is in Khmer, but recently they have been performing in English as well. Take the time to explore their music. Here is a live video of "Seeing Hands." I'm not sure what sort of stage show they may bring with them, but at least this will give you an idea of what they do when they perform Jan 9, 2016.
The Ordway is clearly a MN based organization because in the middle of Jan, they bring something to warm you up. Jan 14, 2016, DanceBrazil will be performing. Talk about exciting! The couple videos that I've watched have a great combination of Afro-Brazilian dance, and Capoeira - the Brazilian martial arts. Take a look at this from 2011. Great movement, and great acrobatics, along with some amazing physical forms. Just what a MN audience wants in the middle of Jan.!
The third dance show the Ordway has ready is the Seop Dance Company from Korea. I have no idea what to expect from this company when they perform March 5, 2016. After watching one of the clips, I can certainly tell you that it will be a very memorable performance. It looks like a combination of classical Korean dance, with contemporary dance set in a very theatrical way. This is a clip from a piece from 2010. Take a watch and tell me you aren't intrigued.
The last two performers for the season are both musical groups. Coming up on Apr. 7th, 2016 is an intriguing band called Hanggai. According to what I have read, this is a Mongolian folk band that incorporates throat singing, and modern punk. Take listen to their bandcamp page. It sounds really good and I'm sure will be a good show.
Finally, Taikoproject on April 23, 2016. There are a lot of Taiko groups around and this is a group that combines the ancient Japanese Taiko drumming with a modern, unconventional twist. Watching this clip, it takes the traditional Japanese rhythms and mixes them with current hip-hop beats. It looks like they may incorporate some Japanese instrumentation, or even some traditional dance to the evening. What ever they do, I can assure you that it will be an exciting night. Just look at this promo video.
So, that is the season. However they have two additional special events. One of them is a Hip Hop Nutcracker playing Nov. 24 & 25 of 2015. Just searching on youtube for this brought up a few videos that could give you an idea of how exciting this could be. There are so many versions of the Nutcracker out there, but this is the first I've heard of a Hip Hop version. It sounds fantastic!
In May, the amazing troupe Pilbolus will be featured for two nights. May 20 and 21, 2016 will showcase jaw-dropping athleticism and incredible imagination all combined with full body choreography. Here is one example of what this company does - Shadowland. For something totally different, check out this performance from the TED talks.
For more info, and tickets - go to the Ordway.
(photo curtesy of the Ordway promo flyer)
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