NEWS FROM THE 2009-10 ANNA SOKOLOW CELEBRATION


The SOKOLOW THEATRE DANCE ENSEMBLE, directed by Jim May, announces a full schedule of events to celebrate the Anna Sokolow 100th Anniversary.    The great modern dance pioneer, born February 9, 1910 in Hartford, Ct., created dozens of dances, introduced modern dance to Mexico and other countries, and throughout her career was regarded as a choreographer of uncompromising integrity,  a risk-taker, an innovator.   The full schedule of Sokolow events include performances, lectures, and exhibits in the U.S., Mexico, and Holland.

ANNIVERSARY YEAR SCHEDULE

October New School Lectures on Sokolow, free and open to the public
Jim May, a faculty member of New York's The New School, continues his series of lectures on Sokolow at The New School with classes October 15 & 22.    Subject for the November lectures are Sokolow's life and career in the 1970's, covering the founding of her company of actor/dancers, and creation of works inspired by Magritte, Kafka, Kurt Weill, and Frida Kahlo.    Her protegee Jim May will also discuss her mental breakdown, her struggle for sanity and how that influenced her creative choices, and will address the question of the difference between a Master and a Genius.    Jim May is also setting Sokolow's "Lyric Suite" on the New School students for their upcoming performance at the Ailey Citigroup Theater.
Lectures will take place Thursdays, October 15 & 22, 6 to 9:30 PM
The New School, 65 West 11th Street, room 263
please r.s.v.p. to Audrey Ross if you wish to attend.


November 6 & 7 - Introdans
Introdans, the modern dance company in The Netherlands, will perform Sokolow's "Rooms," with music played live, as part of the Netherlands Dance Festival's 50th year celebration, held in The Hague.   Sokolow was the company's first guest choreographer.

December 14
Company member Lauren Naslund will perform Sokolow's "Kaddish" as part of the 92nd Street Y, Harkness Center's 75th Anniversary.

February 9
The Limon Dance Company will celebrate Sokolow's birthday (February 9, 1910) with a performance at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.   The program will include "Rooms," staged for the Limon Company by Jim May, and Limon's "There is a Time."

February 14
A Birthday Celebration on the 92nd Street Y's Sundays at 3 Series.   The Limon Dance Company will guest, appearing in a section of "Rooms," which was staged for them by Jim May.   The Sokolow Dance Theatre Ensemble will appear in Sokolow's "Four Songs," "Ballade," "Kaddish" (performed by guest Deborah Zall), "Prelude," a solo to music by Scriabin reconstructed by Tonia Shimin, and a section from "Frida" (Sokolow's last work).   There will also be guest speakers and a preview of "Murals," a lost Sokolow work.   The variety of works here, whether motivated by politics, moral discourse, or psychological investigation, demonstrate Sokolow's choreographic genius.

February 19-21
The Dance Department of the Boston Conservatory of Music (where Sokolow was given an honorary degree) will perform her "Kafka" and "Rooms," both reconstructed by Jim May (whose is an alumn of The Boston Conservatory).

April 22-25
Sokolow Dance Theatre Ensemble will have a season at Joyce SoHo, where they will include the fully reconstructed "Murals," a lost Sokolow work to music by Cesar Chavez.   Also on the program are "Kafka" and "Frida."

Spring Performances
Two companies - Momenta Dance Company in Chicago and Nacre Dance Company in Saratoga NY - will perform Sokolow's "Session for Six," staged for them by Jim May, during their Spring seasons.

July 19-August 8
Cross Borders Project -  Dancers from the U.S. and Mexico will collaborate on a reconstruction of "Murals," choreographed in 1980 and not performed since that time.
Project takes place at the CNA (Center National of Arts) in Mexico.

August 10-24
Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble will spend two weeks at The Yard, Martha's Vineyard.

The Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center is also planning a display on Sokolow's career, dates t.b.a.

Press Contact:
Audrey Ross
212-877-3399
audreyrosspub@aol.com


Anna Sokolow in "Slaughter of the Innocents"
date of photo unknown