Artistic 'Soul Mates' Across Borders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenny Pennaz, Managing Director
contempophysicaldance@gmail.com
December 16, 2014
Artistic Soul Mates Across Borders
MINNEAPOLIS, MN The percussive music weaving through the enormous, crowded hall of the 2008 Joinville Dance Festival, the largest international dance festival in Brazil, caught the attention of choreographer Marciano Silva dos Santos like never before. I kept following the music, explains Marciano. I could barely hear it at first, but it was all I could focus on. It was like love-at-first-sight when everything around the person is suspended for a moment. Except it wasnt a person, it was music. I connected to it instantly. Marciano followed the connection to find a humble, soft spoken and friendly composer, Divanir Antonio Gattamorta (Divan).
In 2011 Marciano co-founded Contempo Physical Dance in St. Paul and asked Divan if he could use the recorded music he got at the festival for Contempos first full-length work. Divan said, Sure, go ahead. I make them for dance and dancers. That work, Motirô, premiered at the Ritz Theater in Minneapolis to sold-out audiences in 2012.
Marciano worked with Divan again in 2014 for the production of SenZalma, which premiered at The Cowles Center. They worked across borders using Skype to simultaneously create the musical score and choreography. They havent met in person since that day at the Joinville Dance Festival, but they are connected by the unusual rhythm and musicality of their work as they create new music and dance.
Caroline Palmer reviewed SenZalma, stating Divans beautiful score is rich in its shifting moods. Sounds of water, drums, capoeira rhythms and a hint of carnival toward the end of the piece infuse the musical selections, partnering the movement choices by Dos Santos in a full and satisfying manner.
Working with Divan on SenZalma compelled Marciano to go back and relook at the music and choreography of his first work. Divans prerecorded music was great for the work, but I was curious what would happen if we created original music for it.
With Marciano in St. Paul and Divan in Brazil they set to work on the new music. Contempo Physical Dance will perform Motirô with new, original music at The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403, January 30 February 1, 2015.
About Contempo Physical Dance
Contempo Physical Dance aspires to be internationally recognized for its dynamic Afro-Brazilian contemporary dance fusion. Now in its fourth season, the company is dedicated to contemporary dance research, the creation of vibrant new movement, and the performance of dance works that challenge human physicality and invigorate audiences everywhere. Founder, artistic director and choreographer, Marciano Silva dos Santos, is a native of Brazil and came to the United States after being recognized by the American Folkloric Society as a culturally diverse artist of exceptional merit. His rigorous approach to body-based research produces distinct Brazilian-imbued movement palettes and highly physical choreographic works.
Who: Contempo Physical Dance (www.contempophysicaldance.org)
What: Motirô
When: Friday, January 30, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
Where: The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts
528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
For Tickets ($20-$25, all fees included): Visit http://www.thecowlescenter.org/calendar-tickets/contempo-physical-dance-1 or call the box office at 612-206-3600
This activity is funded, in part, by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund, and its arts and cultural heritage fund that was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
