Body to Body

January 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Eisenhower-Dance-Ensemble-Body-to-Body

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble presents three premiere performances in “Body to Body.” EDE’s final presentation of the 2012-2013 season takes place Friday, April 5 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.

From EDE:

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE), metro Detroit’s premier contemporary dance company, will present its final performance of the 2012-13 season at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, April 5 starting at 8:00 p.m. Titled Body to Body, the performance will be an eclectic and entertaining mix of works including world premieres by EDE Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower and guest choreographer Ron de Jesus.

 Body to Body audiences will enjoy a preview of new work in progress by Eisenhower called “Alice And” that combines dance with video. A 2012 Kresge Artist Fellow, Eisenhower’s “Alice And” will be premiered at Arts X Detroit 2013, an event that exclusively presents works created by the 2011-2012 Kresge Eminent Artists and Artist Fellows in more venues located throughout Midtown on April 10-14. “Alice and” is a surreal journey that is loosely based on dreams. Eisenhower will also premiere a lighter work titled “What was that?” that will be both fun and entertaining.

Chicago’s Ron de Jesus, an award-winning choreographer and dancer, set his newest work “Begin with the End in Mind” on the EDE dancers in February of 2013. EDE premiered the work at California’s CSU-Monterey Bay’s World Theatre in March of 2013; Body to Body marks the work’s first presentation to Michigan audiences. “Begin with the End in Mind” is beautiful and romantic work full of interconnected lifts that test the strength and grace of the EDE dancers.

Rounding out the performance will be Michael Foley‘s gesture-infused, full-bodied work “No Angels in my Kamikaze Heaven,” and Eisenhower’s “Songs without Words,” a comedic work that blends humor with introspection in a suite of dances.

Tickets for Body to Body are $25 and $20 for students and seniors. They are available by calling the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at 586.286.2222 or online at www.macombcenter.com. For more information about Eisenhower Dance Ensemble or Body to Body, please visit www.ede-dance.org or call the EDE office at 248-559-2095.

 ABOUT EISENHOWER DANCE ENSEMBLE

Praised by critics as one of the nation’s premier contemporary dance companies, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble has spent the last 22 years giving life to the repertoire of internationally known choreographers, as well as the highly acclaimed work of Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower. Established in metro Detroit by Eisenhower in 1991, EDE presents an annual local subscription series and tours nationally. For more information about EDE, please visit www.ede-dance.org or call 248-559-2095.

Filed Under: Culture, Dance, Detroit Inspires, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Red, Hot and Blue

November 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 Eisenhower Dance Ensemble presents Red, Hot and Blue

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE), metro Detroit’s premier contemporary dance company, will present its third subscription performance of the 2012-2013 season at the Detroit Opera House on Saturday, January 19, 2013 starting at 7:30 p.m. Titled Red, Hot and Blue, the performance is part of the “Dance in the D” series at the Detroit Opera House. The performance marks EDE’s second appearance in the Opera House’s annual dance series.

Passion, intimacy, tenderness, humor, power, virtuosity, and daring are all words to describe Red, Hot and Blue, a collection of dances by four choreographers. Laurie Eisenhower, Michael Foley, Harrison McEldowney, and Stephanie Pizzo will present their choreography in an evening of non-stop connections, drama, momentum, and force. The evocative choreography and technically brilliant EDE dancers combine to create an evening that is both powerful and compelling.

“The Detroit Opera House has enjoyed many partnerships with Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, and we’re happy to showcase this dynamic group once again on our stage,” said David DiChiera, General Manager of the Michigan Opera Theatre. “We’re also looking forward to the company’s involvement in our production of Aida this coming May.”

Red, Hot and Blue will include works by EDE Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower, EDE Associate Artistic Director Stephanie Pizzo, and choreographers Michael Foley and Harrison McEldowney. Audiences will enjoy three works by Eisenhower including: ”Threads,” a beautiful pure-movement dance that expresses intimacy and passion through an ever-evolving series of duets and solos; “Love, Love, Love,” which takes both a humorous and dark look at temporary relationships and diminishing love; and “The Show,” a piece inspired by the work of Federico Fellini whose films depict life as a circus. Pizzo will present her work “Unconditional,” a dramatic and moving work about unconditional love. Foley will be represented by his gesture-infused, full-bodied work, “No Angels in My Kamikaze Heaven.” The performance will end with the hilarious work “Dance Sport,” by McEldowney, which humorously compares professional sports and dance.  A Pre-Show with EDE Center for Dance Student Companies will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for Red, Hot and Blue range in price from $15.00 to $45.00 and are available by calling the Detroit Opera House at (313) 237-SING [7464] or online at www.michiganopera.org.

For more information about Eisenhower Dance Ensemble or Red, Hot and Blue, please visit www.ede-dance.org or call the EDE office at 248-559-2095. The presentation of Red, Hot and Blue is made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and additional funding from The Andrew W. Mellow Foundation.

ABOUT EISENHOWER DANCE ENSEMBLE
Praised by critics as one of the nation’s premier contemporary dance companies, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble has spent the last 22 years giving life to the repertoire of internationally known choreographers, as well as the highly acclaimed work of Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower. Established in metro Detroit by Eisenhower in 1991, EDE presents an annual local subscription series and tours nationally. For more information about EDE, please visit www.ede-dance.org  or call 248-559-2095.
Filed Under: Culture, Dance, Reviews Tagged With: , ,

On the Move

October 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble - On the Move 3

Dance requires supreme athleticism, grace and character in its artists. The art also demands a deep understanding and a complete dedication to reveal its brilliance.

Experience the best of contemporary dance when Eisenhower Dance Ensemble presents its dazzling season opener, On the Move on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21 at Varner Recital Hall-Oakland University.

Known for its virtuosic athleticism and creative artistry, the Midwest’s premier contemporary dance company will present an exhilarating program that includes a premiere work by choreographer Lauren Edson, the revival of Harrison McEldowney’s hilarious Dance Sport and special guest performers Hardcore Detroit and Oakland University’s Repertory Dance Company.

The Saturday performance begins at 8 p.m. with a Prelude at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday performance begins at 2 p.m. with a Prelude at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $18 per person for general admission, $10 students. Tickets are available at the Varner Box Office, open Tuesday – Saturday, 3-6 p.m. and one hour before performances. Purchase general admission tickets by phone (248) 370-3013 or at starticketsplus.com with no service fee.

Varner Recital Hall-Oakland University is located at 2200 N Squirrel Rd, Rochester, MI 48309.

 

Filed Under: Culture, Dance, Detroit Inspires, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

December Dances

October 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble presents On the Move

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble presents an exhilarating evening of contemporary dance with December Dances, its annual production of innovative dance on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Seligman Performing Arts Center. The program begins at 7:15 p.m.

The program includes EDE’s latest premiere dances and audience favorites, including Stephanie Pizzo’s Taking Back and artistic director Laurie Eisenhower’s Songs Without Words.

December Dances also will include a performance by the Oakland University’s pre-professional company, Repertory Dance Company, and Center Dance Ensemble, EDE Center for Dance’s most advanced student company.

REPERTOIRE:

orion by Eddy Ocampo

Nothing Left by Lauren Edson

Swing Shift, Night Flight by Stephanie Pizzo and performed by Center Dance Ensemble

Shift by Laurie Eisenhower

Taking Back by Stephanie Pizzo

MondoBeat by Laurie Eisenhower and performed by Oakland University Repertory Dance Company

Songs Without Words by Laurie Eisenhower

Praised by critics as one of the nation’s premier contemporary dance companies, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble has spent the last 22 years giving life to the repertoire of internationally known choreographers, as well as the highly acclaimed work of Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower. Established in metro Detroit by Eisenhower in 1991, EDE presents an annual subscription series and tours nationally.

Tickets for December Dances are $18 for regular admission, $14 for seniors and $10 for students. Tickets are available by phone at (248) 559-2095. For more information about December Dances, please visit ede-dance.org or call the EDE office at (248) 559-2095.

 

 

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Passport to New Worlds

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Detroit Passport to the ArtsThe Detroit Passport to the Arts program encourages Detroit’s next generation to participate in the city’s vibrant arts community by breaking down the barriers of cost and accessibility. In a partnership with a unique array of the city’s arts organizations, DP2A offers its members an affordable way to attend some of the best performances in the city. Past and current partner organizations include: the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings, Detroit Film Theatre, Michigan Opera Theatre, Hilberry Theatre, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Mosaic Youth Theatre, and the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble.

In addition to performances, DP2A passport holders enjoy exclusive after-party events, talks with the artists, backstage tours, and other special events. DP2A is administered by Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings and its partners, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival and is driven by a steering committee of young leaders. For more information, please visit www.dp2a.org.

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Classically Cool – 2012 Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Igor Stravinsky photographed by Arnold Newman
In a season titled “White Nights: A Celebration of Russian Music,” the 19th annual Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival will feature  the music of composers from Russia and other Northern countries. The Festival opens with Les Noces  (The Wedding)  Saturday, June 9 at the Seligman Performing Arts Center and Sunday, June 10 at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. Concerts and recitals run through Sunday, June 24.

Highlighting the two week festival will be three large, collaborative performances that bring to life three of Igor Stravinsky’s largest works. The composer is seen in the image, “Igor Stravinsky, 1946″ by photographer Arnold Newman.

In collaboration with Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings and the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Festival audiences will enjoy: Les Noces performed by four festival pianists, the Michigan State University Chorale with soloists, and four DCWS percussionists; The Rite of Spring, perhaps Stravinsky’s most famous ballet, will be performed by Eisenhower Dance Ensemble with new choreography by EDE’s Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower, and two festival pianists; The Stravinsky Mass, performed by Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings and a choir led by University of Michigan Choral Professor Jerry Blackstone.

Pianist James Tocco has served as Artistic Director of the Festival since its inception in 1994. A native Detroiter, Mr. Tocco has brought a rotating contingent of world-class musicians to the Festival, helping create an event of national significance. The Festival presents approximately 20 concerts each year and each piece is performed by musicians of the highest caliber including: pianist Jeremy Denk, cellist Paul Katz, and pianist James Tocco, among others.

The prestigious Shouse Institute will again welcome emerging talent to the Festival. Hailed as an incubator for rising stars of chamber music, many Shouse alumni have gone on to become award-winning, professional ensembles. For more information, please visit www.greatlakeschambermusic.org.

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Sublime Spring and Stravinsky’s Strings

January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble

Audiences who appreciate dance and music are in for something truly special this weekend.

As part of the 2012 Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble will perform “The Rite of Spring” on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 at the Seligman Performing Arts Center.

This fully-staged version of Igor Stravinksy’s famous work will include two pianists, three percussionists, and will be performed by Eisenhower Dance Ensemble. The program also includes Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Trio Élégiaque No. 2 in D minor for Violin, Cello and Piano, Op. 9.

Tickets are $40 each. For reservations and details, click here.

For an interview with EDE founder and artistic director Laurie Eisenhower, click here. She discusses the upcoming performance in an online intervew with DancePanorama.com. Please visit Detroit Perform’s VIDEO page to see a clip from an EDE rehearsal.

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble

Now in its 21st season, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble is a professional contemporary dance company based in metro Detroit. Long considered one of the Midwest’s leading contemporary dance companies, EDE performs an annual subscription series, provides masters classes, holds residencies and is invited to perform at venues throughout the country. For more information, please visit www.ede-dance.org.

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