Dance St. Louis’ annual production of nationally renowned choreographers collaborating with local professional dance companies to create and perform a collection of world premieres returns for its fifth year.
Supported by funding from the PNC Foundation through the PNC Arts Alive initiative, this season’s presentation, New Dance Horizons V: Women Who Inspire, explores notable women in history, with choreographers selecting inspirational women of their choice for their work.
“We know what art can do, how it changes perspectives, even changes lives,” said Michael Scully, PNC regional president for St. Louis, Missouri. “From classical music and fine art to dance and theatre, we’re committed to keeping the arts alive in our region.”
New Dance Horizons V: Women Who Inspire kicks off Women’s History Month on March 3-4 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. The world premiere weekend includes a variety of pre-show, intermission and post-show features.
Choreographers include San Francisco-based Amy Seiwert, Wendy Rein, Ryan T. Smith, and award-winning Chicago dance artist Stephanie Martinez. Saint Louis Ballet, MADCO and The Big Muddy Dance Company are the participating professional dance companies.
The choreographers’ inspirations for their world premieres include 12th-century abbess, mystic and composer Hildegard of Bingen; Susannah Cahalan, author of Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness; French-American visual artist Louise Bourgeois; and Chilean poet and Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral.
A couple supplemental features to note are: a Katherine Dunham Panel Discussion & Lobby Performance on Friday, March 3 at 7:15 pm; a Josephine Baker Panel Discussion & Lobby Performance on Saturday, March 4 at 7:15 pm; a “Wall of Inspiration” Campaign & Competition both days; and a Student Artwork Exhibit by Central VPA High School both days.
For additional details, visit www.dancestlouis.org. All-inclusive tickets are only $20 and are available online.
Photo (top): MADCO dancers Lindsay Hawkins and Brandon Fink in Liquid Roads by Gina Patterson. Photo by Steve Truesdell.