CU Presents鈥� 2015-16 season continues with the first ever 葫芦娃视频 performance by Los Angeles-based dance company BODYTRAFFIC. The group is set to present three contemporary pieces inspired by urban life from all around the world on Sunday, Feb. 14.
鈥淚 think what makes BODYTRAFFIC stand out is the way [Artistic Directors Lillian Barbeito and Tina Finkelman Berkett] choose to work with up-and-coming choreographers from all around the world,鈥� said company manager Dora Quintanilla. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really amazing to see our dancers move so seamlessly from one type of dance, like ballet, to a completely different one, like breakdance.鈥�
The first piece, created by Barak Marshall, is called 鈥淎nd at midnight, the green bride floated through the village square鈥︹�� This cinematic, colorful work is inspired by his mother鈥檚 childhood in pre-war Yemen, where a woman鈥檚 happiness depended on her eligibility as a bride.
鈥淗er neighbors had nine children who never succeeded in finding love or getting married,鈥� said Marshall of his piece. 鈥淭hat lack of hope turns them into this monstrous, fighting family always cursing the hope of others.
鈥淭o me it really illustrates the fact that, if we don鈥檛 create a society that has equal opportunity for all, we鈥檙e going to perpetuate the constant breaking down of others,鈥� he added.
Also on the program is 鈥淥nce again before you go鈥� by Victor Quijada of the RUBBERBANDance Group. The piece, created for BODYTRAFFIC in 2014, brings together hip hop, breakdance and ballet to examine the way people come and go in each other鈥檚 lives.
鈥淧art of Victor鈥檚 鈥榬ubber band鈥� method of dancing is the idea that the space around you is thick and there鈥檚 always a substance that you have to carve through,鈥� said Quintanilla.
The program concludes with American choreographer Richard Siegal鈥檚 鈥淥2Joy,鈥� a playful piece set to the music of American jazz greats鈥攆rom Billie Holiday and Harry Belafonte to Ella Fitzgerald. Siegal is the founder and artistic director of The Bakery, an organization dedicated to international artistic collaborations.
鈥淎s the title suggests, 鈥極2Joy鈥� is an expression of joy through music and movement,鈥� said Quintanilla. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very fun work to see and just be around, and we鈥檝e embraced it as our signature piece.鈥�
Founded in 2007, BODYTRAFFIC has surged to the forefront of the concert dance world. Named 鈥渢he company of the future鈥� by The Joyce Theater Foundation, Dance Magazine鈥檚 25 to Watch in 2013 and Best of Culture by the Los Angeles Times, the 鈥渟uper-fast, super-sexy鈥� (Dance View Times) young company is already internationally recognized for its high quality of work.
Tickets for BODYTRAFFIC start at $15. To purchase tickets, visit the CU Presents box office in person (972 Broadway) or call 303-492-8008 during business hours. Tickets are also available on the .
