Back home at the Grace Street Theater, the Ground Zero Dance Company presents the Richmond premiere of Rob Petres’ ambitious and athletic “Moment of Flight,” paired with the company’s “Rope,” for two weekends: Feb. 10-11 and 17-18.
Equally ambitious and wildly different, the Richmond Ballet presents a lavish new production of “The Sleeping Beauty,” restaged by Artistic Associate Malcolm Burn and set to Tchaikovsky’s magical score at the Landmark Theater Feb. 17-19. Rounding out the month, the University of Richmond Dancers present their 21st annual spring concert Feb. 23-26, with an eclectic program combining ballet, modern, jazz and tap.
Moving into March, VCU Dance presents “Traffic@The Grace: Dancing in the Now,” a hearty concert of student, faculty and guest artist works that highlight connections between four generations of artists, March 2-4 at the Grace Street Theater. Back at the Richmond Ballet, stop by Canal Street for Studio 3, featuring contemporary works by Val Caniparoli and Mauricio Wainrot March 21-26. Plan your time carefully that week, because “Movin’ Out,” the Broadway dance hit by Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp, stops at the Landmark Theater March 21-26 as well.
You may be getting full by now, but save room for Latin Ballet of Virginia’s “AmorAmerica,” based on historical poems by Pablo Neruda, March 24-26 at the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen. Starr Foster Dance Project’s 6th Annual Choreographers’ Showcase, March 31 – April 1 at art6 Gallery, will be a tasty sampling of new and recent works by emerging and established choreographers.
And finally, Virginia Opera, the Richmond Ballet and the Richmond Symphony team up for a first-ever collaboration to bring us “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” April 29-30 at the Landmark Theater. The smorgasbord of the winter/spring dance seasons in Richmond, crammed with well-known imports and home-grown talent alike, promises one satisfying meal after another.
Lea Marshall is a freelance dance writer for Style Weekly, C-ville Weekly and Dance Magazine. She is also executive director and co-founder of Ground Zero Dance Company, and producer at VCU Dance.
