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With no tangible objects, textual documents or libretti to its form, dance is one of the most ephemeral of the arts. Its aesthetic intangibility puts this sophisticated and sensual artistic expression especially at risk during tough economic periods. Dance companies, choreographer and worst still, dancers, might just as well join the most endangered species list. This is precisely why it is such a delight to take notice of events like the recent Gala organized by arts patrons Michael Frenchman and Karen Crowe for Marie-Christine Giordano Dance Company (MCGD). The event supported the New York based group whose two-fold mission focuses on aesthetic creation and education.

Held early in October, the event was an aesthetic delight which presented its guests with a combination of Swiss food & wines and a fabulous dose of ‘fearless’ dancing by the members of Giordano’s Company. Along with performances by Giordano and her dancers, Itsuki Otaki performed the work-in-progress Ikiru (To Live). The accompanying silent auction presented works donated by artists: Toby Old, Len Irish, J.D. Talasek, Kurt McRobert and Julie Lemberger.

Giordano’s recent works have addressed over-arching societal structures and their impact – through conditioning – on individual identity, particularly for women. The MCGD’s outreach programs include collaborative works with a number of educational institutions in Brooklyn which engage young people and “convey positive messages of hope, accomplishment and community that go well beyond language and cultural differences.”

Tags: Choreography, Contemporary Dance, Dance Company, Dancer, Intangible Heritage, Itsuki Otaki, J.D. Talasek, Julie Lemberger, Karen Crowe, Kurt McRobert, Len Irish, Marie Christine Giordano, Michael Frenchman, New York, Toby Old

This entry was posted on October 31, 2009 at 10:10 am and is filed under Performance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.