Begin this month of dance in Brooklyn at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at LIU Brooklyn with South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma in “Exit/Exist.” “Exit/Exist” is a work inspired by Maqoma’s ancestral past where he “reveals the history of a 19th century Xhosa warrior who fought to maintain cultural traditions in the face of colonial dispossession.” In this solo, “Maqoma embodies this forgotten history … [and] fuses storytelling with his own …contemporary dance vocabulary and live music.”
Maqoma is joined by the South African vocal ensemble Complete and world-fusion guitarist Giuliano Modarelli. “As supporting characters in the narrative, the musicians are interwoven in Maqoma’s vibrantly kinetic world, creating rich visual scenes that punctuate his exploration of race and political power, cultural tradition and personal legacy. Through his signature integration of traditional and contemporary dance, Maqoma invites audiences to reflect on who we are, where we come from and how all of these facets, past and present, inform our personal and collective identities today,” as noted in the press release.
About Maqoma, Johannesburg’s The Starr writes, “What distinguishes Maqoma … is his intelligently provocative exploration of kinetic African identity where the rural impinges on the urban, where the hallowed intersects with the popular.”
For more information, visit www.651ARTS.org. This performance is presented by 651ARTS.org and produced by MAPP International Production.
Also this month
- Nov. 1-2: At the Ailey CitiGroup Theater, the Von Howard Project will present 10 in part to celebrate their 10th anniversary, featuring new works “Tiny Sisters,” “SMOKE” performed by guest artist Daniel Gwirtzman, “OKCupid” and “Surfacing,” all by artistic director Christian von Howard. For more information, call 800-765-7198.
- Nov. 2-22: “Dance Tribute to Whitney Houston” opens as part of the 2013 Blaktina Performance Series at BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance’s first festival at BAAD!’s new space in Westchester Square. The festival “celebrates art and performance in various disciplines by African-American, Latino and artists of color” and will include dance performances by 12 choreographers. For more information, visit www.bronxacademyofartsanddance.org.
- Nov. 2: For one night only, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College brings Savion Glover’s “STePz.” For more information, visit www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org.
- Nov. 2-10: Peridance presents six companies in two weekends, including nathantrice/RITUALS, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company and more. For more information, visit www.peridance.com.
- Nov. 8: Chen Dance Center celebrates their newly renovated facilities with “Hip Hop and Hoops: An Indigenous Experience,” featuring artists who tell stories through hip-hop, electronic music and traditional Native American dance and music, all led by Lakota artist Frank Wain. For more information, visit www.chendancecenter.org.
- Nov. 12-17: Garth Fagan Dance returns to the Joyce for their 43rd season with two world premieres, “No Evidence of Failure” by Fagan and “Gin” by long-time company member Norwood Pennewell, plus revivals and classic works. For more information, visit www.joyce.org.
- Nov. 13-16: At the Chocolate Factory Theater, Will Rawls brings “The Planet-Eaters,” conceived, choreographed, composed and performed by Rawls, with live musical performance and additional composition by guitarist Chris Kuklis. “The Planet-Eaters” is described as “a reconfiguration of Balkan folklore that takes place somewhere between the United States, Serbia and a space station.” For more information, visit www.chocolatefactorytheater.org.
- Nov. 13-24: At the new BRIC House in Brooklyn, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence will bring a new version of “On Earth Together,” set to the music of Stevie Wonder as part of a three-year residency that includes these community-based performances. For more information, visit www.bricartsmedia.org.
- Nov. 15-24: Pan-American Musical Art Research presents the eighth annual Latin American Cultural Week, featuring music, dance, theater and visual arts throughout New York City. Dance highlights include Glamour Tango, the all-female music/dance show, and Ballet Hispanico with the premiere of an all-male dance. For more information, visit www.nature.org.
- Nov. 19-Dec. 1: For two weeks, Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to the Joyce with new works by artistic director Dwight Rhoden, “The Rite of Spring,” a new piece set to the music of Stevie Wonder, a world premiere by associate artistic director Jae Man Joo, another by Alejandro Cerrudo and yet another by company members Gary W. Jeter and Norbert De La Cruz III, plus other works from their repertory. For more information, visit www.joyce.org.
To be listed, send press releases to amnewsdancecalendar@comcast.net.