Saturday, August 6 • 4:30pm • The Bowl
Repertory Dance Theatre is the nation’s oldest and most successful repertory dance company. For over 50 years, they’ve pushed the boundaries of modern dance, while preserving its legacy. It was radical when a bunch of Utah modern dancers beat out the big city stalwarts to receive a Rockefeller grant establishing us as the nation’s first repertory dance company. Today, they’re just as revolutionary as they were in 1966.
Unlike conventional modern dance organizations, RDT presents you with a diverse range of modern dance styles and choreographers paired together in dynamic and unexpected performances. RDT’s 4:30 p.m. Main Stage Sweet Pea Festival performance Saturday, August 6th, encapsulates that idea, pairing together some of modern dance’s original ground breakers with revolutionary contemporary works.
On the historical side, RDT will perform “Mazurkas” by legendary choreographer José Limón. Originally choreographed in 1958 to honor the heroic spirit of the Polish people after World War II, these beautiful, elegant and witty dances also stand as a remarkable example of how to translate national and character dance to the stage.
In contrast, the Company will perform more contemporary works by Shapiro & Smith Dance, including the thrilling & gasp-inducing “Dance With Two Army Blankets,” highlighting close coordination as dancers leap, catapult, catch and soar with the aid of two blankets. Also by Shapiro and Smith are the humorous and clever works “Jack” and “Pat-A-Cake” that put a new spin on classic nursery rhymes.
“Shubert Impromptu” by San Francisco choreographer, Francisco Gella, is a passionate duet spotlighting a contemporary relationship on the “edge.”
Finally, dancers will perform the powerful and driving work, “Pigs & Fishes” by choreographer, Elisa Monte. The work explores earthy, hypnotic and voluptuous movement patterns which sweep through the entire space with passion and determination.
On Sunday afternoon, August 7th, at 1:00 p.m., RDT will host an hour-long, family-friendly community movement event.