Five young Black women choreographers came together for two evenings of Draft Works marking The Royal Ballet's association with Black History Month; and the first thing to note is the sheer abundance of ideas on show. That, and the obvious talent of these young women, most of them barely past 20-years-old. In his introduction, Royal Ballet Principal Marcelino Sambe, who curated the programme, described the women's voices as simultaneously powerful and vulnerable, adding that, in his view, they were the future of dance.
A mysterious baroque music faded in on darkness at Northwest Portland's When the lights rose, dancer and choreographer BodyVox Dance Center. Carlyn Hudson lay on her back downstage right, donning a sheer, bulbous, chiffon top, complete with a stand-up frill collar. As she began to move, three dancers joined her, one by one. They switched places, following one another's staccato movements, until all stood regally on stage.
This September, Grand Marnier is teaming up with Future to present DS2 REMIXED: THE BALLET, a one-night-only performance that flips his trap classic into a contemporary ballet. Yes, you read that right the same project that had fans blasting March Madness in their cars will now be brought to life by professional dancers at Brooklyn's historic BAM, with choreography led by Emmy Award-winner Ebony Williams.