The indigenous and non-indigenous artists of Marrugeku, the Australian dance theater ensemble, will premiere “Cut the Sky,” “A rock concert, modern dance and a plea for environmental action and the rights of indigenous peoples … addressing humanity’s frailty in the face of its own actions,” in New Jersey. Presented in five acts, “Cut the Sky” is based on poems written and spoken by Nyikina/Walmajarri artist Edwin Lee Mulligan and includes original songs from singer-songwriter Ngaiire, plus indigenous songs by the cast, Nick Cave and Buffalo Springfield covers, sung by Ngaire Pigram. Bringing dance, video, poetry and song together and revisiting conflict with mining companies, the destruction of fauna and the relegation of the marginalized, while contemplating the gift of a human life and the life-giving force of the sun … the performance follows a group of climate refugees living in a landscape scorched by climate change, and facing more extreme weather. Audiences will experience butterflies swarm searching for water, dancers disintegrating into the light and songs calling for rain, according to the release. Performances run from Nov. 15 to Nov. 18 at Montclair State University at the Alexander Kasser Theater. “Cut the Sky” is collaboratively conceived by co-artistic directors Dalisa Pigram and Rachael Swain (concept) and Edwin Lee Mulligan (poems), directed by Rachael Swain and choreographed by Dalisa Pigram and Serge Aimé Coulibali. It is part of Peak Performances 2018-2019. For more information,
visit www.peakperfs.org.
ALSO THIS MONTH
Nov. 1-Nov. 17—The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, presented with Pepatian, continues their annual multidisciplinary festival, “BlakTinX Performance Series,” featuring art and performance by Black, Latinx and artists of color. Still to come is Colemancollective in “Fruit Punch,” with live and recorded audio, including the sounds of a school yard, recited statistics, dissonant statistics (Nov. 1-Nov. 2) and Ebony “Golden’s wash’d//,” which “…explores both the violence of misogyny and the strength of sisterhood as they relate to women of color—past, present and future (Nov. 16-Nov17). For more information, visit www.baadbronx.org.
Nov. 16-Nov. 18—At Gibney, for their program titled “HOME,” The Gibney Dance Company invites choreographers Adam Barruch and Shamel Pitts to create works around the topic. Pitts’ work is made in collaboration with visual artist Deville Cohen. For more information, visit www.gibneydance.org.
Nov. 28-Dec. 30—The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns for their annual New York City Center’s five-week season. Included on the programs are world premieres “Lazarus,” by Rennie Harris, “The Call,” by Ronald K. Brown, “En,” by Jessica Lang and “Kairos,” by Wayne McGregor (company premiere), plus new productions by Artistic Director Robert Battle (“Juba,” 2003), Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (“Shelter,” 1988), Talley Beatty (“Stack Up,” 1982), Twyla Tharp (“The Golden Section,” 1983) and company member Jamar Roberts (“Members Don’t Get Weary,” 2017). The Opening Night Gala benefit performance with hosts Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson will feature a variety of one-night-only performances plus “Revelations” with live musicians and sung by Ledisi, Erica Campbell, Norm Lewis and Brandie Sutton. Other season highlights include the Family Matinee Series, which runs every Saturday afternoon, plus the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve performances. For more information, visit www.nycitycenter.org.