DANCE

An evening of three works created by Anna Sokolow; presented by the Sokolow Dance Foundation. Tickets also available for purchase at the Boston University Dance Theater box office by calling 617-358-2500 (open Wed.-Fri., 2-6 pm, and one hour before the show).

Sokolow Now! is a performing archival dance company dedicated to providing audiences with an opportunity to experience the powerful choreography of internationally renowned choreographer Anna Sokolow. This year’s annual dance concert, entitled Black & White, is comprised of three works created by Sokolow in the 1980’s. The first work, Everything Must Go, is Sokolow’s commentary on American society. Themes of strong minimal movement, set against intricate spatial patterns, tell stories of severe poverty, blatant consumerism, and public indifference to their neighbor’s plight. Inspired by the music of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sokolow used his piano preludes to choreograph the second work on the program, Homage to Rachmaninoff. Sokolow’s lyrical imagery brings this passionate music to life, creating the perfect homage to the last of the great romantic composers. The program closes with From the Diaries of Franz Kafka, a major theatrical dance work. Typical of this dance-theater genre, for which Sokolow is internationally celebrated, From the Diaries of Franz Kafka marries text, imagery and music to convey the struggles of this major 20th century writer. Members of Sokolow Now! performing in the 2012 annual concert are Amy Burns, Adrienne Crombie, John Crampton, Suellen Haag, Mark Kranz, Haley Kenney, Tabitha Liversidge, Kirsten McKinney, Mat Tucker and Mallory Walker. The Sokolow Dance Foundation, based in Attleboro, MA, was established in 2003 by Lorry May who is the leading reconstructor of Anna Sokolow’s choreography. The foundation’s diverse educational and cultural programs, lectures, classes and performances serve as major platforms for the continuation of Sokolow’s legacy. Sokolow Now!, the foundation’s professional dance company, travels extensively throughout the east coast presenting theatrical performances, giving lecture/demonstrations, and participating in the many dance festival held within the Boston-area. "Anna [Sokolow] proved that social dance forms have an inherent dramatic power when
they are artfully used as an expression of the society that created them."
(Clive Barnes, New York Times) Sokolow Now! is the only dance company exclusively performing the repertory of the celebrated choreographer Anna Sokolow. Their passion for the work is evident in their stunning, unparalleled theatrical stagings of Sokolow’s original choreography. More information on the company and the foundation can be found at www.annasokolow.org.