It’s not often that a touring production from New York City reaches us here in Los Angeles within the same calendar year. Rare, too, that it brings the original cast to the local stage. Nevertheless, Angelenos will get an up-to-the-minute glimpse of what’s happening in the East Coast’s dance mecca when highly acclaimed Tere O’Connor Dance performs “Bleed” at the Getty Gallery at the Skirball Cultural Center on Thursday and Friday, April 3 and 4, at 8 p.m.
The New York Times has labeled “Bleed” a “masterly” work, and promotional materials say that it “examines how diverse cultures bleed into each other to create symbiotic relationships.” Along the conceptual lines to which this new work adheres, “Bleed” is built on two previously created choreographies: “Sister” (2012) and “poem” (2013). The former a duet and the latter a quintet, both dances follow O’Connor’s decision to use movement choices, compositional structures, abstract gesture and ambiguity to allow and encourage the viewer to create his or her own dramatic interpretation.
With an original, understated score by longtime collaborator James Baker in “poem” and a soundtrack that the choreographer himself has assembled from pre-existing sources in “Sister,” the mixed, matched, deconstructed and reassembled “Bleed” is said to explore the boundaries of physical movement. The company of seven exceptional dancers reveals the innovative choreographic mind of its multi-award winning creator. The artist will also offer a free movement workshop on Saturday morning for non-dancers.
Definitely a must-see for this year!
—Benn Widdey, Culture Spot LA
The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., LA 90049. Tickets range from $20 for students to $26.50 for the general public and can be purchased at https://tickets.skirball.org/public/show_events_list.asp?shcode=569.