Home >  A & E

Wednesday, May 14, 2003

By Jane Vranish, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

This has been a big year for independent choreographers -- that is, those unaffiliated with established companies. And this week brings more proof, with a couple of concerts on the dance docket.

Dance Connection

The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty will play host tonight to the newest independent collaboration, The Pittsburgh Dance Connection Project, celebrating a "Fast Forward" move to the future.

Gina Desko, dance graduate of the University of North Carolina, and Tracy Pelkowski, former member of Labco, provide the "connection." The two met a couple of years ago and immediately began, according to Desko, "sparking this idea that we wanted to perform, wanted to create more options for Pittsburgh dance artists."

Desko will premiere "In My Field of Paper Flowers," a work in four sections, each performed in a different part of the concert. "I take a look at the psychological ways of dealing with things," she explains. "The audience will know it's the same person, but different emotions." Desko also will draw on her coal mining roots for "Black Gold." Created during her time in North Carolina, the piece has the dancers imitating machine-like movements.

Pelkowski's work is inspired by the life and work of portrait artist Alice Neel and attempts to capture the "importance of people in everyday life."

Also on the program are dance veterans Susan Gillis and Andre Koslowski.

"The goal was to take people that we felt don't get the chance to present work regularly," says Desko. "We want them to have the freedom to create and add something to the mix."

Desko and Pelkowski wanted Koslowski, a member of Dance Alloy, because he uses "stark images with powerful moments that play with people and emotions," which will be found in "Some laughed, some cried."

Gillis, a founder of Dance Alloy and director of the University of Pittsburgh's dance program, will contribute "Breathe in, Breathe out," based on yoga techniques and philosophy.

"Fast Forward" will be presented at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater at 8 tonight. Tickets: $10; 412-394-3353.

Bodiography

Bodiography's Maria Caruso is ready to rock 'n' roll once more at her spring concert at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater this weekend. Inspired by the likes of Pearl Jam, Ben Folds Five, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Incubus, she's out to attract new audiences to the ballet.

"I don't ever see myself doing a classic, although my dancers are capable," says Caruso. "I want audiences who uncommonly come to dance, and I want them to go back to sample more traditional offerings."

On tap are excerpts from "Living Successions," an abstract Pearl Jam opus that Caruso premiered at Butler County Community College last year.

"Their music is very real," she says. "It brings the choreography to life in an emotional way with full lyrical value."

Caruso also will present an "'80s ballet" that is a work in progress. The piece will use one pointe shoe and place a high-heeled shoe on the other foot.

A trio of works will explore various relationships. "Incubus" will be "a very intense piece where a husband and wife fight addiction," and "Elapsed" will delve into the past, "letting go, closing the book, trying to move on."

With "Given," however, Caruso will be dealing with "an arranged relationship -- nonemotional and nonexpressive."

Bodiography will present its Spring Concert at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $12 to $15; 412-521-6094.