Upcoming
Image: Photo by DD taken at Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2023.
Photo by Meyer & Kangangiz; Dancers: Paul Singh & Jin Ju Song-Begin; Biel, Switzerland,
Photo by Tamara Romanchuk
After three decades as a dancer and a writer, Sara Porter stands at the collision of the two in Sara does a Solo, a fearless account of an aging body and a reflective mind. Part memoir, part stand-up comedy, part dance performance, Porter creates a world where intimacy and pathos, hilarity and beauty co-exist in the physical stories she tells about life as an artist and a parent. Prompted by a chance encounter with singer Mary Margaret O’Hara, Sara does a Solo is a bold and beautiful account of mid-life.
Photo by Omer Yukseker
Sara Porter is a multi-faceted artist, choreographer, dancer, writer and teacher, celebrated for her “daring imagination” (Toronto Star) and being "wickedly funny" (Dance International). She has created over twenty-five works since 1990, performing in theatres, festivals and galleries in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Madrid, Edinburgh, Glasgow and New York City. Porter is Associate Artist with pounds per square inch performance, and a member of the Intergalactic Arts Collective. She lived and worked in Montreal and Edinburgh before settling in Toronto in 1998.
“One of the best pieces of theatre I’ve ever seen.” Rick Roberts, Actor, director, Toronto
“Smart, funny, and poignant… a tour de force.” Karen Bernard, New Dance Alliance, NYC
“Funny, irreverent, soulful... I'm awestruck!" Niegel Smith, Director, The Flea Theatre, NYC
“Exceptionally deft… aesthetic pleasure from beginning to end.” Douglas Dunn, NYC
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Friday, March 4th & Saturday, March 5th at 8:00 PM
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Location: Douglas Dunn Studio
541 Broadway, Buzzer # 19
Between Prince and Spring Streets
Suggested donation $15
Photo Credit: C. Duggan, 2015
Douglas Dunn + Dancers in Perth, Australia at the Canning World Arts Exchange 2016!
Web link here.
Come explore the village phenomenon of the special UNESCO Vietnamese Ede Gong Culture, collaborating with Douglas Dunn and Dancers from New York, Taikoz drummers from Sydney, Link Dancers from Perth and Canning's own Community Choir!
Date: Saturday 6 February 2016
Time: Food available from 5pm | Performance 7pm (approximate running time 60 - 80 minutes)
Location: Shelley Beach Foreshore Park, Riverton Drive, Shelley
Cost: Free to attend
Other information:
Riverton Drive will be closed for the evening except for Food Vendor/Performer access. Parking area is located on the corner of Riverton Drive and Corbel Street.
Food and drink available for purchase from 5pm - specialising in Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine.
Event contact: John Mclaughlin or Kelsie Koontz - 1300 422 664 orcustomer@canning.wa.gov.au
Performer Biographies
Douglas Dunn and Dancers - New York Click here to read more!
Taikoz Drummers - Sydney Click here to read more!
Link Dancers - Perth
Link Dancer's are recent graduates from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). As emerging independent artists, Alexander Perrozzi, Robert Tinning and Scott Elstermann have combined their creative talents to choreograph an explosive contemporary dance performance in collaboration with Australia's internationally acclaimed taiko drumming ensemble from Sydney known as Taikoz.
The Cultural home of the gongs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam covers several provinces and seventeen Austro-Asian and Austronesian ethno-linguistic communities. Closely linked to daily life and the cycle of the season, their belief systems form a mystical world where the gongs produce a privileged language between men, divinities and the supernatural world. Behind every gong hides a god or goddess who is all the more powerful when the gong is older. Every family possesses at least one gong, which indicates their wealth, authority and prestige, and also assures the families protection. Different arrangements and rhythms are composed to celebrate the traditional ceremonies such as the Killing of the Buffalo, the Rice Harvest or Mourning Rites. This unique Cultural practice was severely disrupted during the decades of war during the last century and is aggravated today by the loss of old craftsmen and a younger generation more interested in a Western lifestyle. Stripped of their sacred and historical significance, the gongs are sometimes sold for recycling or exchanged for other products. On November 25, 2005 in Paris, France, the Space of Gong Culture in Central Highlands was recognized by UNESCO as an oral-transmitted masterpiece and intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Joining the Canning World Arts Exchange Festival this year will be 10 members from the Ede Ethnic Group who make their home in the Dak Lak region in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. These revered elders are the last remaining keepers of the Myths and Sacred Songs of the Gong culture and have generously committed to sharing and collaborating with modern artists to share their Animist beliefs. The festival will allow the viewer to witness these Universal Myths that help guide us all through the passages of life from Birth to Death.
The Canning World Art Exchange welcomes the superb Taikoz drumming ensemble from Sydney for performances that couple explosive energy and extreme dynamism with refinement and grace. Combining the visceral power of the Taiko with the ethereal sound of the bamboo shakuhachi, Taikoz is exploring a synthesis of East and West, old and new. These incredible musicians will summon the Gods through their tightly choreographed movements and high speed rhythmic drumming.
Modern Dance Pioneer and legend Douglas Dunn brings his 50 years of brilliant choreographic invention to the Canning World Arts Exchange to team up with the Ede Gong Culture and the Taikoz drummers to offer an evening of ritual exploration and mythical movements! A dance maker of extreme integrity and witty kinetic insights, Dunn has been delighting audiences since his involvement with the early priests of the Post Modern Movement from Yvonne Rainer to Merce Cunningham.
Perth’s own Link Dancers have joined the Festival to create new works to the rhythms of the Taiko drums that will push the boundaries of youth and physicality. These fine young performers place the arts in Western Australia in great shape for the future of dancing in our great town.
The City of Canning continues its philosophy of ensuring close contact and collaboration with our guest artists from as many of our residents as possible. The Canning Community Choir has been assembled to learn to sing in Vietnamese and Japanese languages and will perform ancient and sacred songs with the Ede Gong Group and Taikoz Drummers as part of the “Myth of Gong and Drum” concert.
Dr Richard Walley and his Middar Dance Company will bring 50,000 years of Aboriginal culture on stage alongside our UNESCO Ede Gong Culture Artists in a joint work that will see these two most ancient of art forms explore the rituals that have held their communities together for so long.
Douglas Dunn + Dancers are heading west. We will be showing in San Francisco on our way to Perth, Australia. Come see us as we dance in celebration of David Ireland's life and work. Below is a list of the week's events.
Friday, January 22nd, 6:00 to 8:00pm
David Ireland Exhibit Opening Reception
Intermittent performance by DD+D
San Francisco Art Institute, Walter and McBean Galleries
800 Chestnut Street (between Jones and Leavenworth)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Sunday, January 24th, 1:00pm
DD+D perform Vain Combat outside David Ireland's house
500 Capp Street (20th and Capp Street in Mission District)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Wednesday, January 27th, 10:00am
Movement workshop for all levels at
351 Shotwell Street San Francisco CA 94110
Wednesday January 27th, 7:30pm
DD+D present an iteration of Stucco Moon,
(an hour-long collaboration with David Ireland from 1992)
144 Taylor Street (between Eddy and Turk)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Thursday, January 28th, 7:00pm
DD+D perform excerpts from Stucco Moon
during Evening Tours of 500 Capp St.
500 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Friday, January 29th, 7:00 pm
Lecture/Demonstration by DD+D
San Francisco Art Institute, Lecture Hall
800 Chestnut Street (between Jones and Leavenworth)
San Francisco, CA 94133
We are in the last few weeks of preparation for our tour to San Francisco and Perth. If would like to see what's going on, do come to a rehearsal. You may arrive and leave as you please within the times listed below. We're working at the studio, 541 Broadway, between Prince and Spring, Buzzer 19. 212 966 6999.
The 5 p.m. rehearsal on Sunday, January 17, will be followed by a reception to which you are welcome. Light snacks and beverages.
Sat 1/9
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wed 1/13
2:00 pm-5:00 pm
Sun 1/17
*SALON TOUR PREVIEW
1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm
Wed 1/20
2:00-5:00 pm
*SALON TOUR PREVIEW
Sunday January 17th, 2016
Come see what we've been cooking up for our tour to SF and Perth, Australia, and bid us farewell!
Excerpts from the reconstruction of the David Ireland/Douglas Dunn collaboration "Stucco Moon" and new material for our dances in Perth, Australia featuring costumes by Andrew Jordan.
Dancing by:
Douglas Dunn
Jules Bakshi
Alexandra Berger
Jin Ju Song-Begin
Emily Pope
Paul Singh
Timothy Ward
Showings at 1, 3, & 5 pm followed by a going away soirée.
Image Credit: Douglas Dunn, Stucco Moon, 1994, Photo by Johan Elbers
Friday December 4th & Saturday December 5th, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Doors open at 7:00
Dances by Jules Bakshi, Douglas Dunn, Paul Singh, Jin Ju Song-Begin & Christopher Williams
Douglas Dunn Studio
541 Broadway #19
Between Prince + Spring
Donation appreciated
Reservation not required
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Screening two films: "Gold Hill" & "Against The Slope of Social Speech"
Photo Credit: Beatriz Schiller
Douglas Dunn + Dancers will present, using text, projection, and live dancing, an overview of Dunn’s forty-four years of work and of what’s next.
October 25 @ 6pm - 8pm
WeisAcres
537 Broadway #3
New York, NY 10012
Free admission
http://www.cathyweis.org/calendar/sundays-on-broadway-douglas-dunn-dancers/
As part of an evening
Spirits of The Air & Heroes
presented by Christopher Williams
92Y
1395 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10128
212.415.5500
Buttenweiser Hall
Friday June 26th, 8 pm Saturday June 27th, 8 pm Sunday June 28th, 3 pm
Dancers
Douglas Dunn Jules Bakshi Tony Bordonaro Alexandra Berger Giulia Carotenuto Peter Chamberlin Grazia Della-Terza Jessica Martineau Emily Pope-Blackman Jake Szczypek Paul Singh Jin Ju Song-Begin Timothy Ward Mark Willis
Music by Steven Taylor
Musicians
Jessica Schmitz - flute Alicia Lee - clarinet Ha-Yang Kim - cello Steven Taylor - guitar
Thursday June 11, 7 pm, 2015
Hosted by the Bakshi Family + Douglas Dunn
Please join us for an evening of photography, music, and choreography to benefit Nepal
Thursday June 11, 7 pm, 2015
541 Broadway
between Prince + Spring
Photos by Jules and Ken Bakshi
Performances by
Subtle Details Dance Theater: Jules Bakshi, Emily Pope-Blackman, + Lulu Soni
Live projections by Avery McCarthy
Music by Elias Meister
+
Dancing by Douglas Dunn
ANY + ALL DONATIONS ACCEPTED
Prints of photographs will be available for sale at the event
Proceeds from ALL sales and ALL donations will go directly to aid relief in Nepal
Wine and hors d'oeuvres served
Please share the invite and spread the word!
Micheline Lelièvre, Jean Guizerix
&
Douglas Dunn
invite you to a screening of the documentary
Interlaced Dance Journey
Wilfride Piollet & Jean Guizerix
Tuesday April 28th, 8pm,
Doors Open at 7:00
Douglas Dunn Studio
541 Broadway
Between Prince & Spring
Including dancing by
Douglas Dunn
Jules Bakshi
Jin Ju Song-Begin
Refreshments served
Seating limited. Please RSVP
Douglas will appear in with Sally Silvers & Dancers
on Sunday March 22nd as part of SIlvers' series:
Actual Size Plus
Fri. Sat. Sun. March 20,21 (8pm), 22 (3pm)
92nd St. Y/1395 Lexington Avenue (212) 415-5500
Dancers: Dylan Crossman, Carolyn Hall, Luke Miler, Alicia Ohs, Melissa Toogood, Silvers & cameo appearances: Fri.: John Jasperse, Sat.: Jennifer Monson, Sun.: Douglas Dunn
Live Music: Bruce Andrews with Michael Schumacher
Video & Scenic Design: Ursula Scherrer
Lights: Joe Levasseur
Costumes: Elizabeth Hope Clancy
Funscaping Hitchcock!
STRIPPED/DRESSED in which the first half of the program reveals the creative process and in the 2nd half, the piece is performed.
Please help support AIDOS, a new evening for my company.
Feb 11th, 8:00 pm
Feb 12th, 8:00 pm
Feb 13th, 8:00 pm
Feb 14th, 3:00 pm + 8:00 pm
Feb 15th, 3:00 pm
BAM Fisher
321 Ashland Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Aidos features dancing by 9 performers: Douglas Dunn, Jules Bakshi, Alexandra Berger, Emily Pope-Blackman, Jin Ju Song-Begin, Jessica Martineau, Paul Singh, Jake Szczypek, and Timothy Ward.
Aidos is the Greek Goddess of shame.
The music will be Bach Cello Suites performed live by the inimitable Ha-Yang Kim. Andrew Jordan is on design, Carol Mullins on lights. It’s a strong team.
We have been working for 6 months on the project, and will continue to rehearse right up until showtime to bring you Aidos.
We are self-producing this piece, so starting from scratch. I would be most grateful if you would help support this new project of delight.
Your contributions will go directly toward paying the artists, and to the cost of production at BAM.
Thank You.
Douglas
FOR TICKETS CLICK HERE
"The rich diversity of contemporary dance will be on view for four nights, Thursday, December 4 through Sunday, December 7, at the Annual Performance Festival of the American Dance Guild at The Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 W. 55th Street at 9th Avenue, NYC. Thirty-three artists/companies will be presented on the program, alongside three living legends of modern dance – Joan Myers Brown, founder of Philadanco, Douglas Dunn, founder of Douglas Dunn & Dancers, andBill Evans, founder of Bill Evans Dance Company receiving this year’s honors. All will be presenting works with their companies. "
DD&D will perform "Near Miss" a piece that premiered this summer at Rutgers University.
December 4th & 6th
8:00 pm
The Ailey Citigroup Theater
The Joan Weil Center for Dance
405 West 55th Street @ 9th Ave
New York, New York
For tickets: click here
or call: 800-838-3006 ext. #1
On Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 4:15 on the dot, Douglas & collaborator Steven Taylor will participate in Semiotext[e] at MoMa PS1. Semiotext[e] is an afternoon of performances, screenings, music, and readings evoking the legendary 1975 Schizo-Culture conference, that featured a series of seminal papers, from Deleuze’s first presentation of the concept of the “rhizome” to Foucault’s introduction of his History of Sexuality project. Designed by a group of artists and filmmakers including Kathryn Bigelow and Denise Green, it documented the chaotic creativity of an emerging downtown New York scene, and offered interviews with artists, theorists, writers, and No Wave and pre-punk musicians.
The program takes place in conjunction with the restaging of Cine Virus - a film program organized in 1978 by Bigelow and Michael Oblowitz - at The Museum of Modern Art on November 17, as part of To Save and Project: The 12th MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation and Modern Mondays.http://momaps1.org/calendar/view/526/
