Yesterday, on May 2nd at the Phoenix Art Museum, anyone and everyone had the privilege to view and participate in Dance in the Gardens, a mini-show of Mary Fitzgerald Dance Projects and CONDER/dance.
The show began by expanding the definition of dancer, inviting the audience to involve themselves in a structured improvisation with the performers of the two companies. Each viewer was handed an index card with instructions. I was to copy and follow the shapes other people were creating. Not only was it an intriguing method for beginning a show, captivating an audience through involvement, but it was inspiring to see everyone dancing and creating movement together regardless of who they are or what they came to the even for. This “Three Themed Improvisation” was beautifully simple and a fun yet functional way to get everyone from the lobby of the museum to the gardens.
The Phoenix Art Museum has constructed a wonderful courtyard amongst the various areas of the theater and museum. Clean, linear, and sectional, it is obvious why the organizers of this show found the sculptures and plant-life a perfect area for dance.
CONDER/dance performed an excerpt of “Moving Target“, choreographed by Carley Conder, and “Ode to Blue Nudes,” choreographed by Christina Harrison. Both are pieces I have seen performed on the stage before, but dancing on wet grass did not hinder the power and precision of this group. Sitting so close, the intensity and strength of each individual was captivating, giving new life to pieces I have seen before.
Mary Fitzgerald Dance Projects presented “Section 1 The Borders Between Us“, a piece inspired by the rapid development of the Phoenix area. Mary Fitzgerald’s movement was physical yet intricate, and sincere while displaying intensity. The performers matched the message of the movement with their power, focus, and accuracy. The performer’s sense of space in their own kinesphere as well as in each others was ever expanding. Never once did they shrink in size. The video (created by Arina Melkozernova), the music , the scenic garden, the choreography, the dancers worked so well together, it immersed the audience an environment that did not evaporate until dancers left the space.
Although short, Dance in the Gardens was a stimulating show for the senses. The cool night air, the sweet smell of flowers, the music created and chosen for the pieces, the art work and movement to watch and create yourself immersed the participants and viewers into a unique dance experience. I consider myself lucky and grateful to have experienced this show myself.
Cerrin, Phoenix, Server/Dancer
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- Cerrin
- Cerrin Lathrop graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance Studies from ASU in 2007. Within her four years of attending ASU, she had the privilege of presenting two pieces in ASU mainstage concerts, worked with guest artists Pablo Cornejo, Kim Carpenty, Nicole Bradly-Browning, Luc Vanier, and Carley Conder, as wells as being a member of ASU’s community dance company, DART, for two years. In addition to her work at ASU, she won the 2006 Arizona Choreography Competition for her choreographic collaboration, “The Maturation of an Adolescent,” with fellow choreographer Aaron McGloin. Currently Cerrin is the Co-Artistic director of an emerging dance company in the greater-Phoenix area, Temenos Dance Collective.