Aerial Dance Theater will open its 19th season on Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. at Hope College at the Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland.
The company's fall concerts will feature new works including "September," a full-company dance theater work choreographed by former Aerial dancer Tim Heck, and two solos featuring guest artists Yuki Chiba of Japan and Sergio Antonino of Italy. Two of the works will be making their premiere during the concerts.
"September" was commissioned as an ensemble work for the full company and will premiere during the concert.
Yuki Chiba, joining the company from Tokyo, will be dancing a contemporary/jazz solo created especially for her and the concert by international choreographer/performer Jorge Vasquez. The solo was created in Amsterdam and will also premiere during the Aerial concerts.
Sergio Antonino joins Aerial from Montreal and is making his second visit to Holland, having performed with Avi Kaiser and Steven Iannacone, artistic director of Aerial Dance Theater, in the semi-comic "Night Shift" in 2002. Antonino's solo will showcase his own choreography and include material performed at the prestigious VENICE BIANNALE this summer.
All three of the new works were funded by a grant from the Hope College Patrons for the Arts. Iannacone noted that the support provided a unique opportunity for Aerial's dancers to work with professionals of international caliber and recognition and for Aerial's audiences to experience performers and current trends in dance not readily available in the Holland community.
Also on the program are "Unet," "The 3 Graces" and "Unwritten Letter."
"Unet," danced by company members Clarissa Gregory and Joshua Cummings, is a duet that explores the sculptural forms and textures of the body but references both microscopic and "sci-fi" other worlds.
"The 3 Graces" returns to the repertory after a long absence and will be danced by company members Paula Grahmann, Jillian Koestner and Erin Whaley. The lighthearted trio examines the conflicts, jealousies, bonds and relationships between three independent characters.
"Unwritten Letter," choreographed by company director Steven Iannacone, explores the soul-felt emotions of missed opportunities and personal loss set to the powerful and fragile sound of a resonant tenor voice.
Senior company member Jessica Mumford will join the company for "September," and Erik Alberg, the company's resident lighting and technical designer, will again provide the visually theatrical and atmospheric effects.
Tickets will be available at the door, and will cost $7 for regular adult admission and $5 for students and senior citizens, with admission free for children under 12. As usual, there will be a post-performance informal "Question and Answer" session during which discussion between the audience and the performers is encouraged and appreciated.
Aerial is in residence at the Knickerbocker Theatre which is handicap accessible and equipped with sound enhancement for the hearing impaired. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. 8th St.