Returning to the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center on the campus of Cal State Long Beach for its fourth appearance, A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham will premiere new contemporary dances as part of the Center’s 30th anniversary season. For the singular event on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m., the acclaimed company will unveil the world premiere of the Carpenter Center-commissioned piece choreographed by Paul Singh, “6 Lost Labors.”
Also on this repertory program are works created by two Princess Grace Award winners, Keerati Jinakunwiphat and Rena Butler, and two solo works created by Kyle Abraham.
In Singh’s piece, promotional materials describe the six “lost labors” as family, friends, work, war, the planet and the self. Keerati Jinakunwiphat’s “Someday Soon” explores the space between celebration and transition. Rena Butler’s “Shell of a Shell of the Shell” looks at the challenges in dismantling habits and “perpetuated systems.” Abraham’s own two solos, “Show Pony” and “Grey,” highlight the virtuosity of the performer in the former and the music of Etta James in the latter.
A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham has been touring the globe since the director’s recognition as a MacArthur Genius in 2013. Along with the dances he has made on his namesake ensemble, the artist has set new and original works on world-renowned ballet companies in the United States and elsewhere. As a teaching artist, he is currently the Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor in Dance at the University of Southern California Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.
—Benn Widdey, Culture Spot LA
LOCATION:
The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach 90815
TICKETS:
$40
MORE INFO:
https://www.aimbykyleabraham.com
Photo of “Shell of a Shell of the Shell” by Alexander Diaz