Dance Review: Camille Brown Does It Big!

Camille A. Brown presents an evening of varied dance works that really exemplify her diversity and vision as a choreographer. 10 works are presented including some which are excerpts and works in progress.

Camille opens up the evening with a solo dedicated to her Grandmother entitled Mary. The movement is exemplary of Camille’s style and her knowledge of when to move quick and when to slow down. There is some beautiful imagery such as when she stops to rock her arms as if rocking a baby amidst the intricate arm movements and quick leaps on and off the floor.

Next comes one of the highlights of the evening, the premiere of Matchstick. This piece outlines the experience of the black man trying to escape slavery and its aftermaths as he tries to get up North for a better life. The movement is very dynamic and powerful, being particularly accentuated by four exceptional dancers, Kevin Guy, Otis Donovan, Juel D. Lane and Keon Thoulouis. They bring it BIG as they dance around, on top, under, over and, sometimes, what seems like through a table-set, which is the centerpiece of the stage where the men have their meeting on how they can escape the torment of the South. The men also look fine, fine, and more fine! They wear dress pants, vests, and button up shirts of natural colors reminiscent of the “paper boy” look of that era.

The first half of the show also presents guest choreographer Francine Ott’s Need to be Needed, which expresses the feelings of a woman needing more than just physical love. Presented next is Camille Brown’s Choices, a solo about a woman’s individuality and relationship to God.

The Evolution of a Secured Feminine is performed right before intermission and is explosive! Brown is fierce onstage, and through her strong movement and witty facial expressions, she brings the audience the experience of a woman telling her husband that she saw him cheating.

The second half is opened by The Groove to Nobody’s Business, which is a very entertaining piece danced to the music of Ray Charles. It shows the crazy and comical relationships of people standing at a subway stop and riding the train. This piece makes me laugh and also makes me think, “Somebody needs to hire this girl to choreograph for Broadway!” The reason I say this is that Brown has the amazing talent of capturing emotions and experiences through movement that is complex, VERY entertaining and easy for the audience to see and understand.

A guest choreographer, Kyle Abraham, performs Untitled Mixtape Phase 1, a solo that fuses CRAZY body roles and isolated movement with a bit of popping and modern movement. Next, 1 Second Past the Future exhibits a very clever mix of live acoustic guitar music by Crystal Monee Hall, comedic acting by J. Michael Kinsey and choreography by Brown. The piece comments on how males and females have lost their sense of relating to each other, and, in turn, love and good relationships suffer. Next is a duet performed by Brown and Juel D. Lane, which shows a couple trying to get a dance routine together as they trip and comically argue with each other.

Ending the show is a magnificent piece celebrating the culture and spirit of the people of New Orleans called New Second Line. Here, it is nice to see the dancers grooving and moving both powerfully and technically at the same time.

Overall, Camille A. Brown delivers a 2 and a half hour evening of pure joy. Her movement utilizes all parts of the body as she creates her own way of moving, not necessarily having to utilize classroom techniques. She is definitely going to do it big! It is refreshing to see a choreographer that deserves such great things.

Photo Credits: Matt Karas

IDANZ Critix Corner
Official Dance Review by Joi Lynn
Performance: Camille A. Brown and Friends
Venue: Joyce SoHo
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009
www.iDANZ.com

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