Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York, NY.
June 15, 2025.
Strong. Gentle. Elegant. Powerful. These characteristics were vibrant in the performance of women in the movement of Ailey Citigroup on Sunday, June 15. The show served as a strong reminder that two truths can harmoniously coexist, the exchange of dancers, choreographers and motion styles. Co-artistic directors Laura Kaufman and Rachel Thalman opened the performance pointing out that “the acts of love and creation feel more necessary than ever.” This need for the dance to occur at this time was felt from beginning to end. A remarkable exhibition of what can be done when people with related ideas bind in search of a creative effort.
The performance effectively merged the ballet and jazz techniques: each piece apparently capable of bringing new life and meaning to known forms. From the beginning of the performance, it was evident that the company is technically equipped to handle anything and everything a choreographer asks for. Strong pointed feet, long lines from the hip to the heel, the expressive upper bodies and a deep commitment to artistic excellence.
Kept the light By Laura Kaufman demonstrated a more classic style, dancers who show clear lines and form. Any sense of rigidity was absent since the dancers incorporated endless breathing, flow and emotional narration. Continuous Choreographed by Nick Korkos took those clear lines and added a new layer of texture and flow, showing what beauty can be created when we collaborate both inside and outside the lines. More specific jazz work as Two minutes at midnight By Sara Edwards allowed the dancers to move in a more classic genre of jazz. The show included 10 different choreographers, and each of these individuals had a clear artistic vision while creating a sense of coherence inside the pieces.
A sense of community was exhibited, of collective energy that moves in space with a love shared by performance. Each piece incorporated the issue of teamwork. In many of the works, the dancers entered and left the stage as a unit, sometimes holding hand or connected by the arms, other times approaching each other. This issue was evident when the dancers moved through unison phrases, duets and even solo jobs. In pieces like Rhythm of lines By Lauren Lovette, where the dancers come out on the opposite sides of the stage, cling to a piece, while continuously look at the other dancer while walking forward. The final piece of The sky is here By Katie Drablos she presented the complete company on the stage with long red velvet dresses, ending the performance with a shared sense of unity.
The show demonstrated dance as an act of joy and realization. Through the expression of happiness on each of the faces of the 10 dancers, they were full of a feeling of bliss. When the moving woman moves, the audience moves along with them. As observers, they reminded us that Dance is an offering, a way of connecting, a way of sharing a feeling. The dance is a way of honoring “the delicate impermanence of life”, co -director Laura Kaufman discussed at the beginning of the program. The dance comes, and then it goes. Every time we dance, we are reminded that it is a moment that we will never return. Perhaps, this is one of the most beautiful things in dance: it leaves us as fast as it enters. I clung to this feeling of joy long after the curtain had closed.
By Rachel Marche de Dance informs.
Author: Saxon
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