Dance Review: Hit or Mix, New Dance Alliance, Performance Mix Festival

True to the hit or miss nature of mixed programs, the New Dance Alliance, Performance Mix Festival at Joyce SoHo is just that.  On Friday it’s specifically, hit, partial hit, hit, miss, miss, in that order.

Hit number one is a multimedia solo by Montréal based George Stamos.  He’s a sinuous, articulate body in black briefs and a tattoo.  He stands behind a hovering projection screen so that his actual lower half lines up with his projected upper half. The projection footage is manipulated, juxtaposing reality with impossibility, both within one body.  As is the temptation in multimedia work, Stamos gets too "multi" in too short of time.  The variety of ideas in this short solo could build an evening-length work, and with his animalistic movement and engaging images, I could have watched him for an entire evening.

Piece number two is a partial hit.  In this trio by Emily Wexler, three women rebel against restriction and conservative conformity.  The gem of the piece is tough looking, short haired dancer, Danielle Paloumpis. Her movement, all done facing upstage, is brilliant.  Other elements of the piece don’t work so well.  The music is as if Emily put her ipod on random, and the epic ménage à trois wresting match could have been trimmed.

Erin Markey’s hilarious musical theater satire is a definite hit.  The "Dardy" family’s cardboard living room, complete with a smiling family portrait, sets the scene for dysfunction.  Erin busts through the back wall to reveal a giant box of wine, gushing to fill a Chardonnay pool.   Later she shoves the box’s spout into her mouth, absurdly guzzling and gagging on this phallic symbol.  In the end, the whole Dardy family, in matching purple blouses, pose with plastic smiles for a new family portrait.  The photographer enters, a dominatrix, reminding us that behind the most pristine facade is where the most twisted stuff lies.

Jessica Morgan’s far too literal duet falls prey to over dramatization to elicit sympathy from the audience.  A woman kneels center stage, kicking a flailing, with a look of agony on her face.  The freak-out climaxes as the music climaxes, then cuts to stillness and silence.  She is stripped of her clothes, dressed in a hospital gown, and the piece continues with her friend supporting her through her illness.

The finale is a solo by another Montréal based artist, Dana Michel.  She stands in red lit silhouette, shifting between aggressive stances like a boxer in a ring before a fight.   A dramatic shift of light reveals her athletic figure.  Her dynamic movements communicate strength, feminine power, and sexuality, but due to the lack of contrast, the piece becomes a monotone of strong movements.

What’s great about mixed programs is that you’re bound to like something.  One person’s hit is another’s miss, and vice versa.  For me, Erin Markey’s absurdity made the night worth while, and George Stamos’ and Danielle Paloumpis’ performances are an inspiration.

Top upper:  Photography George Stamos
Mid-right:  Photography by Kristyn O’Reilly. Erin Markey
Bottom Left:  Photography by Samperman’s Charlotte, Dana Michel

iDANZ Critix Corner
Official Dance Review by Julie Fotheringham
Performance: New Dance Alliance, Performance Mix Festival
Venue: Joyce SoHo, New York City
Date: March 6, 2009
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