"Horizons" (2008) This piece was inspired by Ms. Denis' choreographic collaborations with classical Indian dancer Ishrat Jahan Hoque (Rakhi). "Horizons" celebrates the beauty of cross-cultural collaborations by providing a colorful montage of Modern and Indian Dance. This joyful quartet, inspired by mudras or hand gestures of Indian Dance, Indian Art, and prior collaborations with Rakhi, offers the audience an ascetically pleasing experience. "Trickle Down, Up, and Through My Spine" (2008) This dance drama is set to live original music by Robert Ash, Steven Sclafani, and Ken White. In "Trickle Down, Up, and Through My Spine" the dancers manipulate rubber neoprene ropes as a metaphor for the dichotomy of the pleasure and pain principles founded in our surmounting social and economic pressures. Four characters which portray parts of our America include "The System," "Society," "The Body," and "The Mind." "a hand to lend, a light to guide" (2007) "a hand to lead, a light to guide" was conceived and created by Dina Denis in collaboration dancers Andrea Eisenstein-Winard, Paul Monaghan, Nicole Sclafani, and Ken White. The music for this piece is an original computer composition by Ken White. This dance is a reminder that our human survival is dependent on our ability to exhibit care for all forms of life. The magnificence of our human spirit is explored along with the potential of guardians that exist beyond the capacity of our earthly bounds "In search of..." (2007) "In search of..." is a collaborative duet choreographed by Dina Denis and Rakhi with live drums by Ken White. This duet portrays an internal search for peace within an external world of distractions. "Stitch" (2007) "Stitch" is a collaborative duet choreographed by Dina Denis and Rakhi based on the visual artwork by Siona Benjamin. "searching through the mourning rubble..." (2006) "searching through the mourning rubble..." is a solo work that portrays our ability to experience the grieving process which in due time enables us to arrive at healing. Performed to recorded music. "Destined" (2006) "Destined" is a duet oriniaglly collaboratively created by Dina Denis and Zoe Bowick along with original music by Ken White and costumes by Paige Constable. The creation of this duet was made possible by a rehearsal space grant from the Park Slope Fitness Collective. "Destined" portrays the evolution of a deeply connected friendship between two women that spans across many lifetimes and planes of existence. This piece honors our human ability to exist in a unconditional relationship that makes life's difficulties managable and pleasures that much more enjoyable. "Eternal Companions" (2004) "Eternal Companions" honors the unique bonds between people and animals. This transcendent work provides a glimpse into these emotionally and spiritually rewarding relationships that remind us life's fragility and endless cycles. Performed to recorded music. "Beyond Beckmann" (2004) Inspired by the 1938 Max Beckmann painting "Bird's Hell." German visual artist, Max Beckmann, is remembered in this dance through the intent, history, and artistic design choices of his Word War II era painting, "Bird's Hell." Musical score originally composed by Mary Hanerfeld. "Please Stand Clear of the Closing Doors" (2003) "Please Stand Clear of the Closing Doors" is a satirical trio about the frustrations and anxiety experienced by mass transit commuters. Performed to recorded music. Photographs at right by Fatima Zohra Quraishi
Dina Denis Dance, Dance Into Light, Inc.