Erick Hawkins: Pivotal Modern Dance and Technique Artist Erick Hawkins is a prime example of true success in the world of art. He poetically changed the world of modern dance and continues to change the world by the means of his company, Erick Hawkins Dance Company (EHDC), that still lives on today. Having been able to partake in an intensive provided by the EHDC, I have a deep appreciation for Erick Hawkins and the creations he has contributed to dance. What Hawkins has produced and the accomplishments he has made in the world of modern dance will not be forgotten by me and fellow dance artists. For these reasons, his works should be presented at the Jacob’s Pillow Festival to showcase his pivotal movements and new perspective to the stage. …show more content…
He began his study in dance after obtaining a B.A. in classics from Harvard University in 1924 – 1930. At first, Hawkins learned from Harald Kreutzberg, who had experience in the modern dance styles taught by Mary Wigman and Rudolf Laban. Later, he went to the School of American Ballet where he studied from George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein until 1938. He produced his first piece of work called Showcase in 1937 while at the School of American Ballet (Celichowska). Moving from his studies in ballet to modern, Hawkins began his modern career with the Martha Graham Company. He was the first male Martha Graham company member and choreographer. He helped choreograph numerous amounts of pieces by Graham’s side. Hawkins collaborated choreographically with Graham in Appalachian Spring 1944 (Allen), and many other people including Merce Cunningham (Martha). Working together in Graham’s troupe brought Hawkins closer to Graham, eventually marrying her in 1948. In 1951, Hawkins then set out to start his own new beginnings in modern, breaking away from Grahams troupe. They eventually got divorced in 1954. Soon after he started collaborating with the composer Lucia Dlugoszewski, which he then stayed with for the rest of his …show more content…
He never wanted to play recorded music and insisted on using live music to dance to. Duke explains the connection between dance and music by clarifying that both are two different forms of art that are fully exquisite on their own. So, Hawkins movement should be able to function without the need of music and still give the message needed to understand the dance. This can be shown in Duke’s intensives by her graceful and calming voice, counting out loud the timing of each movement. In fact, I remember only one bit of prerecorded music was play for the duration of the week long intensive. Even though music wasn’t being played, it was not needed because of Duke’s focus in her practice with movement is centered on the importance of dancing for the pure artistry of
Jose Limon is vastly known in the world of dance for being someone who accomplished many first’s in his career. He has made quite a name for himself in the modern dance community for his professional dancing, teaching and choreography skills, and his vastly appreciated techniques that he cultivated with the help of his mentors and his learnings. Jose Arcadio Limon was born in 1908 in Culiacan, Mexico. He was the oldest of eleven brothers and son of Francisca Translavina and Florencio Limon. Jose Limon was born during the Mexican Revolution which of course was a struggle in its own for everyone who was a part of it.
Ailey being an American choreographer shows how he was able to become a household name in the dance world. Ailey choreographed over 80 ballets which easily illustrates how Ailey became an acknowledged figure in his community. Ailey’s most popular show Revelations is being performed till this day which shows how Ailey was able to leave a historical footprint on the dance world. Ailey's choreographic masterpiece Revelations is believed to be the best known and most often seen modern dance performance in history.
When you are dancing, there are many things you can channel; emotions, memories, people, experiences, stories, the list goes on and on. These properties can be portrayed through movements, facial expressions, and music. Dancing can also portray conflict; such as the conflict between Ponyboy Curtis and Darry Curtis in S.E. Hinton’s beloved novel, The Outsiders. In our dance piece, titled, Hard to See, both the music and movements work in harmony to illustrate Darry and Ponyboy’s maturing relationship.
She takes the reader on a journey through her memories and childhood and uses her memory as a main tool. Memory and storytelling is an important aspect of Silent Dancing, because they helped to shape the author, told lessons to the reader, and explained a life tied between Puerto Rican and American.
Marshall liked a low center of gravity, syncopation, isolations, and the confident sexual appeal that is clearly shown in “All that Jazz” and a plethora of his works. In addition to his specific technique, Marshall entertained the audience. Audiences were elated and enthralled with his saucy contortions of the dancer’s bodies. Marshall created pieces with an addictive presence that gave most audience members goosebumps. His talent and gift of creativity has taken the world by storm and started an influential chain reaction that better’s the dance
Tg beneath the surface” (Weakland). Jerome Robbins fully integrated all of the elements of musical theater including music, lyrics, book, and dance to produce something entirely unique. Jerome Robbins was changing the face of musical theater entirely. West Side Story also broke the rules in a thematic way. West Side Story was the first show to portray that musicals could be based on painful stories.
Duke Ellington had a successful career and musicians and jazz fans all around the world. Whenever musicians young or old bring up jazz music in a discussion, jazz fan or classicist in any part of the world the name Duke Ellington is mentioned. Starting young after maturing he had a lot of memorable events throughout his life. Duke Ellington had a big impact on music during his time. He is considered by many to be the most brilliant Jazz composers in American history.
William Henry Webb, better known as Chick Webb, was born February 10, 1905 in Baltimore,Maryland. He was born with a condition in his back called spinal tuberculosis which led him to have poor health his entire life. Webb was a small hunchback man with great musical talent that people called an “unconquerable spirit”. He was one of the greatest jazz drummers of the Harlem Renaissance and still influences jazz drummers today. As a child, Webb had really stiff limbs because of his condition so his doctor suggested he play an instrument to loosen up.
The 24th Annual Sacramento/Black Art of Dance occurred on February 18th-28th, 2016 at the California State University of Sacramento at Solano Hall 1010, home to many of Sacramento State 's Department of Theatre & Dance performances. Sacramento/Black Art of Dance is a modern dance company that follows the footsteps of Katherine Dunham. S/BAD not only carries on the tradition of Black Concert dance in America, but also explores the movement culture of the African and African-American diaspora in the concepts of modern dance. Ancestral Voices, which directed mainly by Linda Goodrich, presented by S/BAD in its 24th year of presenting dance to pay homage to ancestors who have come before us through the language of dance. The concert had two acts
In her article, Embodying Difference, Jane Desmond argues that dance offers important insights into the ways moving bodies articulate cultural meanings and social identities. In other words, she explains the importance of studying the body’s movement as a way of understanding culture and society. She has two main arguments. First, she argues for the importance of the continually changing relational constitutions of cultural forms. Desmond further explains that the key to shedding light on the unequal distribution of power and goods that shape social relations are the concepts of cultural resistance, appropriation, and cultural imperialism (49).
Alvin Ailey was a prevalent modern dance choreographer in the 20th century known for breaking down the racial barriers within dance. Born in Rodgers, Texas and growing up around the era of social rebellion and the fight for reconstruction of cultural stereotypes, Alvin Ailey’s company played an important role in the civil rights movement. Founding the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in December 1958, Ailey brought the vision of greater racial equality and used his modern dance as a platform for both his personal and cultural expression. Through the medium of dance, Alvin Ailey emerged African American aesthetic, fostered awareness for the need of multi-racial modern dance, and pioneered dance as a political and social movement. Ailey made a point of producing the works of black choreographers and musicians, focusing his productions on black American themes.
“Artworks have ‘aboutness’ and demand interpretation” (Barrett 71). This statement creates a foundation for writing, specifically about dance, as each dance piece is always about something, no matter how simple it appears to be. As I began to write about dance I knew not only to provide a description of the piece, but utilize the description as evidence as I develop a possible meaning. Additionally he explains, “There can be different, competing, and contradictory interpretations of the same artwork” (Barrett 73). When I would begin to develop an explanation from the description I provided, I had to remind myself that my interpretation was only one view of the dance and I should not try to provide one comprehensive interpretation for the
Ballet and modern dance are two different styles of dance. Ballet is a formal dance that originally began during the Italian renaissance of the 15TH and 16TH century. In ballet, dancers are to follow strict sets of rules such as correct posture, correct wardrobe, and finishing each exercise as it began. Modern dance is another form of dancing that took hold during the early 20TH century. This type of dancing was also very popular.
1. Why did you choose this module and this genre of dance? What interests you about this lens through which to study dance? I chose Dance and Entertainment because I enjoy being entertained and watching the genres of dance in this module. I chose Jazz as the genre because I never tried doing jazz before this class
“The Dancer,” what sort of information are we missing or may have assumptions about? As some scholars