Our In-Fluence: A Modern Dance Concert
Only in Albion, MI - August 23 and 24
Fluence Arts Organization is a newly established 501c3 nonprofit organization based out of Albion, MI. Artistic Director, Kristy Clement, established the organization in order to expose the community to the art of dance, provide opportunities for up-and-coming dancers and choreographers to showcase their craft and talents, and to continue her mentor, Missy Wyss’s legacy of making dance happen as much as possible!
For the organization’s first event, join Fluence Arts in welcoming three dancers from Case Western Reserve University's Department of Dance in Cleveland, Ohio to our community's stage. The concert includes 4 works choreographed and performed by dancers, Claire Christie, Joel Linebach, and Megan Gregory, including two premieres!
The concert takes place August 23 at 7 pm and August 24 at 2pm at the Marshall Opportunity School Auditorium (225 E Watson St, Albion, MI). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or at the event. A Q&A with the dancers will take place after Friday’s performance.
The opening piece of the concert, Tonal, is a development of Linebach’s previous work utilizing wearable technology in contemporary dance. The basis of the creative research investigates the use of wearable technology in exploring the intersection of movement and sound. Rather than individual sounds and accenting as seen in his previous piece, Kinetic Echoes, Tonal explores the dancer’s movement as a multi-dimensional instrument, combining whimsical movement with complex musical composition.
Interspersed among the duet and trios on the concert will be Solos for the Ocean. Inspired by Rob Grant’s miniature piano compositions, Solos for the Ocean is a collection of three short solos that showcases each dancer’s personality and varied kinetics while pulling imagery and movement from the ocean in its multivariate forms.
Solos for the Ocean offers a fresh and evocative exploration of how the natural world can inspire and transform artistic expression. Through nuanced choreography and expressive performance, the dancers paint a vivid portrait of the essences of the ocean, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a world where dance and the sea converge.
Next on the concert is a premiere duet choreographed by Megan Gregory. While abstract in choreographic development, Gregory’s CHALLENGER is a duet overflowing with asymmetric images and punctuated movement. This work has a fierce undertone and explores rhythmic complexity in the relationship it forms between movement and music. Its combination of partner work, in-sync dancing, and dichotomous movement will keep the audience questioning the identities of the challenger and the challenged.
Closing the concert, Claire Christie's 333 is a spiritually inspired choreographic work that delves into themes of disconnection and connection. Through a mix of unified and independent sections, three dancers explore individuality, commonality, and intuitive connection, inviting audiences to ponder contemporary dynamics from imbalance to inner harmony amidst life’s flux and challenges. Christie's creative process, enriched by three grounding techniques, subtly infused kinetic inspiration into the abstract choreography. This piece explores these themes through a diverse range of dynamics, with each dancer navigating the pursuit of inner and mutual equilibrium.
Visit www.fluencearts.com to learn more about the organization, read about the guest artists, and purchase tickets. Proceeds from this event will help bring future dance performances and events to the community.
