walker art centermedia.walkerart.org/pdf/pa0809.pdf · 2008. 8. 11. · toshiki okada/chelfitsch,...

walker art center PerFOrMInG artS 2008–2009

music dance theater performance

9/18 9/11 –13 9/27 10/9 –11 10/10 10/23 –25 11/29 12/6 12/12 –13 1/8 –10 1/15–17 1/22 –24 1/29 –31 2/12 2/18 2/20

–21 2/28 3/6 3/12 –14 3/18, 20–21 3/19 3/28 4/2 –4 4/16

–18 4/30–5/2 5/3 5/9 5/28 –30

season preview

merce cunningham dance company

eiko & koma

the magnetic fields

the Builders association

choreographers’ evening

yusef lateef with douglas ewart, roscoe mitchell, and adam rudolph

Jay scheiB, anthony gatto, Zeitgeist, Jack, and chris larson

out there: national theater of the usa

out there: toshiki okada/chelfitsch

out there: tim crouch

out there: young Jean lee

Jon hassell

Batsheva dance company

ray lee

dean wareham and Britta phillipsdirty proJectors

david gordon pick up performance co(s.)

gary stevens

Bonnie “prince” Billy

lo còr de la plana

donna uchiZono dance company

cynthia hopkins

new world dance: new york

doBet gnahoréJason moran

hoipolloi theatre

charlie haden’s liBeration music orchestra with special guest carla Bley

music dance theater performance

Cover: Merce Cunningham dancer Andrea Weber in Rainbow Quarry

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Performing Arts Season Preview Thursday, September 18, 7 pm Free McGuire Theater Senior performing arts curator Philip Bither illuminates the entire 2008–2009 season with personal stories and accounts; music and video highlights, including samples from Eiko & Koma and the Builders Association; highlights from Out There 21, the popular January performance festival; and the four-part series UK Performance Now! (winter/spring 2009) that introduces new performance innovators from across the pond. Target Free Thursday Nights sponsored by

Dig DeeperThis season, nearly all of the events offer chances to interact with the artists through workshops, discussions, or opportunities to perform. Information is online, along with music and video clips for each upcoming project, including the Ocean TV spot and the season trailer. You can also join conversations about what you’ve seen and reference articles, reviews, and interesting facts about each event. It’s all only a click away at walkerart.org.

9/18 Welcome to our 2008/2009 season,

It is hard to imagine a more spectacular and fitting way to open a Walker performing arts season than by restaging, on the floor of a breathtaking granite quarry, the monumental Ocean. The most ambitious project ever conceived by Merce Cunningham and John Cage, two of the 20th century’s towering artistic figures, this work embodies key hallmarks of our program—high-level artistry, interdisciplinary innovation, audacious risk-taking, partnership, site-specific production, and a sustained commitment to artists—but pushes them to new, previously unimagined levels.

Ocean is, however, only the opening chapter of this diverse season’s story. The 27 events reflect our world through the eyes of artists—what it means to be human and where our culture may be heading. The Walker’s decision to commission seven new works for the season, one of the largest numbers in our history, helps fill a critical gap in the American cultural landscape, a place where many of our most essential innovators don’t have standard support structures to sustain their work.

This year, the genre of music-theater is radically rethought by artists of distinctly different generations and backgrounds: David Gordon, Cynthia Hopkins, and Jay Scheib. The UK Performance Now! series surveys the rich and diverse “live art” scene in England and Wales, introducing four artistic voices new to the Walker and the United States. Some of the season highlights reflect on the social whiplash of our times (The Builders Association, Toshiki Okada/Chelfitsch, Young Jean Lee, Tim Crouch), while others look back to 20th-century history/artworks to rethink the age we live in now (National Theater of the USA, David Gordon, Jay Scheib).

The creative ferment bubbling up in the outer reaches of the rock and pop universe is reflected through rare concerts or special projects by such mavericks as Stephin Merritt /The Magnetic Fields, Will Oldham (Bonnie

“Prince” Billy), Dean and Britta, and Dave Longstreth/Dirty Projectors, who join a mix of global music innovators, modern classical composers, and new jazz heroes to round out one of the most fertile music lineups in recent years.

Extreme intimacy and expansive spectacle; increasingly blurred lines between disciplines; surprising, sometimes disturbing visions; new performance art forms offered in new kinds of ways—I look forward to sharing these adventures with you over the coming year. Philip BitherWilliam and Nadine McGuire Senior Curator, Performing Arts

9/18

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merce cunningham dance company

ocean

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9/11 –13

“A gorgeous spectacle, conceptually complex yet sensuously gratifying.... Like the sea

itself, Ocean teems with life.” — New YOrk Times

MerceCunninghamDanceCompany Thursday–Saturday,September11–13,8pm$50($45) RainbowQuarry,WaitePark,Minnesota(nearSt.Cloud)

AstheSeptembersunsets,descend150feetbelowtheearth’ssurface,intoamassivegranitequarry,toexperienceaonce-in-a-lifetimeproductionofMerceCunninghamandJohnCage’smonumentalOcean.Cunningham’smostambitiouswork,rarelyperformedinAmericaduetoitsscale,featureshis14-memberdancecompany,anorchestralscorebyAndrewCulver(inspiredbyCage)performedby150musicians,includingtheSt.CloudSymphonyOrchestra,andanelectronicscorebylongtimeCunninghamcollaboratorDavidTudor.WithauniqueCageianflair,theorchestrafullyencirclestheaudience,whichencirclesthedance.Experienceoneofcontemporarydance’sepicachievements.

MoreMerce—catchfilms,talks,tours,andworkshopsleadinguptoOcean.Visitcalendar.walkerart.org/oceanfordetailsaboutrelatedeventsandinformationaboutshuttlesandparkingfortheperformances.

CoproducedbytheWalkerArtCenterandtheCunninghamDanceFoundation,withtheBenedictaArtsCenteroftheCollegeofSaintBenedictandNorthropDanceattheUniversityofMinnesota.MajorsupportisgenerouslyprovidedbySageandJohnCowlesandtheNationalEndowmentfortheArtsAmericanMasterpieces:Presentingprogram.AdditionalsupportprovidedbyTheMinneapolisFoundation:GoodaleArtsFund,LeniD.&DavidMoore,Jr./TheMooreFamilyFundfortheArts,andtheDaleSchatzleinandEmilyMaltzFund;HRKFoundation:HayesFund,HynnekFund,ArtandMarthaKaemmerFund,PugsleyFund,andtheMaryH.RiceFoundation;RussellCowles;JosinePeters;MollyDavies;MichaelJ.PetermanandDavidA.Wilson;NoaandTedStaryk;PennyRandWinton;andtheSewellFamilyFoundation.MediapartnerCharterCommunications.SpecialthankstoMartinMariettaMaterialsandthecityofWaitePark.TheWalkerArtCenter’sDanceSeasonissponsoredbyGrayPlantMooty.

9/11 –13

charlie haden’s liBeration music orchestra with

special guest carla Bley MUSIC

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9/27

CharlieHaden’sLiberationMusicOrchestrawithSpecialGuestCarlaBleySaturday,September27,8pm$35($30)

TedMannConcertHall,UniversityofMinnesota,WestBankcampusFormorethanfourdecades,CharlieHadenhasbeenwidelyrecognizedasoneofthemostinventiveandrespectedbassplayers,composers,andbandleadersinallofjazz.HeformedtheLiberationMusicOrchestrain1969asanartisticstatementagainsttheVietnamWar,andreassemblesitonlyatkeypolitical/historicalmoments—suchasthe2008presidentialelection.Longtimecollaboratorandpianist /composerCarlaBley,amemberoftheoriginalgroup,returnswithhergorgeousarrangementsthatmixgospelwithjazz,hymnswithfolktunes,andbigbandwithcivilrightsanthems.CopresentedwithNorthropJazzattheUniversityofMinnesota.SponsoredbyMacy’sFoundation.Mediapartners89.3TheCurrentandVita.mn.

“The music is dedicated to creating a better world; a world without war and killing, without poverty and exploitation....” — Charlie haden

9/27

eiko & komahunger

DANCE — WORLD PREMIERE /WALKER COMMISSION

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10/9 –11

Eiko&Koma Thursday–Saturday,October9–11,8pm $18($15)Thursday$25($21)Friday–Saturday

Inthisintimatequartet,legendarychoreographer/dancersEiko&Komapoeticallyexploretheelementalthemeofhunger.Usingbutoh-inspired,glaciallyslowmovementandstunningreal-time“actionpainting,”thisnewworkreflectsonphysicalwantandfamilialthemesasitebbsandflowsfromthelovelytotheviolent,thepoignanttothepassionate.ForHunger,Eiko&Komaexpandtheir“dancetribe”intoaquartetthatincludestwoyoungCambodianvisualartists/performerswhomtheybeganworkingwithduringaresidencyinPhnomPenhin2004.

CommissionedbytheWalkerArtCenterwithsupportprovidedbytheWilliamandNadineMcGuireCommissioningFundandtheAndrewW.MellonFoundation.PresentedinassociationwiththeAsiaSociety.

SponsoredbyGrayPlantMooty.

“This Japanese-American duo has been creating mesmerizingly slow, agonizingly

full work for more than three decades, and to see it is to experience something that has no parallel elsewhere.” — New York Times

10/9 –11

the magnetic fields

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MUSIC

10/10

TheMagneticFieldsFriday,October10,8pm$29

StateTheatre,805HennepinAvenue,Minneapolis

ArareTwinCitiesstoponaverylimitedU.S.tourbytheMagneticFields,ledbyNewYorkCitysinger /songwriterStephinMerritt.Criticallyhailedasoneofthemostsignificantindiepopbandsofthelasttwodecades,theMagneticFieldshasbuiltarabidfollowingforitspersonalyetpoppydance /noise/synthsoundunderlyingliteratelyricsthatareironic,bittersweet,andbitinglyhumorous.Thisacousticeveningfeaturessongsfromtheband’slatestrelease,Distortion,aswellasmusicfromtheirinfluential1999triplealbum69LoveSongs,called“anessentialguidetolovingmusic”(Guardian,UK).CopresentedwiththeCedarCulturalCenter.

SupportprovidedbyTheMcKnightFoundation.SponsoredbyMacy’sFoundation.Mediapartners89.3TheCurrentandVita.mn.

“Seriously smart pop music... Self-consciously smart. Aggressively smart.

Flamboyant, sentimental, funny, corny. Merritt brought to the public ear the kind of small-scale, crystalline, clever songs that

for the most part have not been written since the heyday of musical theater.” — New York TiMeS

10/10

the Builders associationcontinuous cityTHEATER — WALKER COMMISSION

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10/23 –25

TheBuildersAssociation Thursday–Saturday,October23–25,8pm $18($15)Thursday$28($23)Friday–SaturdaySeethefutureoftheatertoday.NewYorkCity–basedwizardstheBuildersAssociation(Aladeen,SuperVision),withfingersfirmlypressedtothepulseoftoday’schangingworld,weaveanengrossingfableaboutwaysthatconstantconnectivityaltersoursenseofdistanceandintimacy.Aglobe-hoppingfatherandhishomebounddaughter,whoselivesaretransformedbydigitalspeedandfailingcellphones,andtheotherintriguingcharacterswhopopulatethisstoryarepropelledbyleading-edgecomputeranimation,electronicmusic,andliveperformance.AparticipatoryWebsite(www.continuouscity.org)andlocalfilmingofkeyscenesfurtherconflatetheglobalandthelocal,themediatedandthereal.

CommissionedbytheWalkerArtCenterwithsupportprovidedbytheWilliamandNadineMcGuireCommissioningFund,theAndrewW.MellonFoundation,andtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts.AdditionalsupportprovidedbythePerformingArtsFund,aprogramofArtsMidwest,andMikeSweeney.

“The Builders Association is itself an innovator in multimedia theater,

using video, animation, sampled sounds, and god-knows-what sorts of

computerized gizmos to produce gorgeous illusions.” — VillAge Voice

10/23 –25

choreographers’ eveningcurated By sally rousse

DANCE

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11/29

“[An] annual smorgasbord of classic, offbeat, up-and-coming, or just

plain zany talent.” — The RAke

Choreographers’EveningSaturday,November29,7and9:30pm$20($16)

Formorethan30years,Choreographers’EveninghasservedasthemajorgatheringfortheTwinCities’vitalindependentdancecommunity.WitnessandcelebratetheremarkablydiverserangeofMinnesotadance—fromestablishedchoreographersplayingwithnewideastosomeofthefreshesttalentonthescene.Thiseveningofshortworkshasrangedfromballettoclogging,classicalIndiandancetoSpanishflamenco,dramaticdance-theatertocomicvignettes.CuratedbySallyRousse,vaunteddancer/choreographerandcofounderofJamesSewellBallet.

SupportprovidedbyTheMcKnightFoundation.SponsoredbyGrayPlantMooty.

11/29

yusef lateef with douglas ewart,

roscoe mitchell, and adam rudolph

MUSIC

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12/6

YusefLateefwithDouglasEwart,RoscoeMitchell,andAdamRudolphSaturday,December6,8pm$35($30)

Inarareappearance—hisfirsttimeintheTwinCitiesformorethanadecade—legendaryGrammy-winningcomposer/multi-instrumentalistYusefLateefandlongtimecollaborator/percussionistAdamRudolphjoinforceswithTwinCities-basedcomposer /instrumentbuilderDouglasEwartandlongtimeArtEnsembleofChicagosaxophonistRoscoeMitchellforaneveningoffreewheelingfreejazz.Nearly50yearsago,Lateefwasoneofthefirstmusicianstodeeplystudyglobalmusicaltraditions,stirringthemintohisowncompositionswithabandonandleadingthewayformanyoftoday’sworldmusicfusions.CopresentedwithNorthropJazzattheUniversityofMinnesota.

SponsoredbyMacy’sFoundation.Mediapartners89.3TheCurrentandVita.mn.

“Yusef Lateef is an artist in the purest form of the word.” — Jazz WeekLY

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12/6

JayScheib,AnthonyGatto,Zeitgeist,JACK,andChrisLarson Friday–Saturday,December12–13,8pm$25($21)

GertrudeStein’sgroundbreaking“cubist”novel,TheMakingofAmericans,isthelaunchingpadforthisinnovative,media-richchamberopera.CelebratedBoston-basedexperimentaltheaterdirectorJayScheib,ex-MinneapolitancomposerAnthonyGatto,localnew-musicstalwartsZeitgeist,andupstartNewYorkstringquartetJACKconspiretoreimagineStein’sgroundbreakinghistoryofallhumanity.ThisambitiouscollaborationunfoldsinfrontofsetsbyMinneapolisartistChrisLarsonandScheib’ssignatureliveandprocessedvideostreams.InadditiontoJACK’sstrings,livechorus,andsixprincipalsinger/actors,theunusualinstrumentationincludesaccordions,autoharps,hurdy-gurdies,scrap-yardpercussion,andchurchbells.

CommissionedbytheWalkerArtCenterandZeitgeistwithsupportprovidedbytheWilliamandNadineMcGuireCommissioningFundandMeettheComposer.


The Making of aMericansan opera by Jay scheib and

anThony gaTTo based on The novel by gerTrude sTein

“Scheib may be the most acclaimed experimental American director whose work

you have never seen.” — Time OuT New YOrk

NEW OPERA — WALKER COMMISSI

ON/WORLD PREMIERE

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12/12 –13

12/12 –13

national theater of the usachautauqua!

OUT THERE 21 — THEATER / PERFORMANCE

As is fitting for a series that has always brought provocative, exhilarating, unexpected theatrical experiences to the Twin Cities, Out There celebrates its 21st season by presenting four ensembles whose breathtaking combinations of movement, media, theater, and physical drama are helping point the way to the future of live performance art.

PERFORMANCE — WALKER C

OMMISSION

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1/8 –10

NationalTheateroftheUSA Thursday–Saturday,January8–10,8pm $18($15)Thursday$20($16)Friday–SaturdaySteprightthiswayforafestivenightcelebratingtheChautauquaCircuit(1874–1935),awildlypopularnationalnetworkoftravelinglecturers,performingartists,andentertainers.TheNationalTheateroftheUSAtransformstheMcGuireTheaterintotheChautauqua“big-top”experienceasitmixesmusic,dance,debates,scientificexperiments,circusarts,vaudeville,andfeatsofstrengththatwerethehallmarkofthecircuit.Allthewhile,thishighlyinventiveNewYorkCitycollective,joinedbylocalluminaries,investigatesandreinventsadistinctlyAmericanformofartandentertainmentwhileposingquestionsaboutcommunity,capitalism,and“high”and“low”culture.Note:containsnudity.

CopresentedwiththeNationalPerformanceNetwork(NPN).CommissionedbytheWalkerArtCenterwithsupportprovidedbytheWilliamandNadineMcGuireCommissioningFundandtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts.AdditionalsupportprovidedbyRogerHaleandNorHall,andTheMcKnightFoundation.

“One of the most exciting and eccentric young theater

companies in town.” — New YOrk Times

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1/8 –10

toshiki okada/ chelfitsch

five days in marchTHEATER


1/15–17

ToshikiOkada /chelfitschThursday–Saturday,January15–17,8pm$18($15)Thursday$20($16)Friday–Saturday

ThisquirkyanddarklyhumorousworkrecountsthedailylivesoffouradolescentsinTokyo’strendysuburbsofShibuyaandRoppongiduringthefirstfivedaysoftheU.S.-Iraqwarin2003.Theircolloquiallanguageisrealenough,butitallowsforacuriousdislocationbetweentheirwordsandactions.Inthedarkspacesbetweenthenaturalandthesurreal,directorToshikiOkadajuxtaposesrealitywithalteredtime,intimatehumanstorieswiththeominouseventofawaratitsinception.InJapanesewithEnglishsurtitles.

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“Set against the backdrop of the U.S. launching attacks on Iraq, this poignant and intimate production emphasizes the

confusion of an isolated younger generation.” — TIme OUT SIngapOre

1/15–17

tim crouchengland


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UK PERFORMANCE NOW!

1/22 –24

TimCrouch Thursday,January22,9pm Friday–Saturday,January23–24,7and9:30pm $18($15)Thursday$20($16)Friday–Saturday WalkerArtCentergalleriesThecharmingplaywright /actorTimCrouchwantstomeetyou.He’sheardaboutyouandhasimportantthingstotellyou.HisisataleofEngland,butit’saboutanempireofadifferentkind.Minimalistandmesmerizing,EnglandisperformedintheWalker’sgalleriesbytwo“guides”(CrouchandactressHannahRingham)whodisregardthedistinctionbetweenaudienceandactor,theaterandlife.Thistourthroughspaceandacrossborders—fromanartgallerytoajamfactory,fromEdinburghtoOsaka—isajourneytotheendoftheworld.Scorebyaward-winningsounddesignerDanJones.Verylimitedseating.

SupportprovidedbytheBritishCouncil.

“By the time the show comes to its quietly explosive conclusion, one finds that Crouch

and Ringham have, like theatrical pickpockets, insinuated their way into one’s

thoughts and feelings.” — Daily TelegRaph, UK

1/22 –24

young Jean leechurch

THEATER — WALKER COMM

ISSION


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1/29 –31

“Her slyly subversive drama ambushes its audience with an earnest and surprisingly

moving Christian church service that might be the most unlikely provocation

produced in years.” — New York Times

YoungJeanLee Thursday–Saturday,January29–31,8pm $18($15)Thursday$20($16)Friday–SaturdayPlaywright /directorYoungJeanLee,whoseSongsoftheDragonsFlyingtoHeavenwasthesold-outhitofOutThere19,returnswithhermoststirringandpotentiallydisturbingwork.EvenasChurch’scharismaticandleft-leaningcentralpreacherdefiestraditionallyheldChristianassumptions,heconveysapassionatemessageaboutreligionhavingthepowertotransformlives,backedupbytwofemaleministers.Hearthewordandfeelthepowerasthepreaching,dance,andafullgospelchoirdeliver“aworksoenjoyable,sointricate,andsothought-provoking[that]it’sonlyappropriatetogivethanksandpraise”(NewYorkSun).

SpecialChurch-relatedtourThursdayat7pm(freewitheventticket).

CopresentedwiththeNationalPerformanceNetwork(NPN).ChurchisanNPNCreationFundProjectcommissionedbytheWalkerArtCenterinpartnershipwiththePhiladelphiaLiveArtsFestival&PhillyFringeandtheNPN.SupportprovidedbytheWilliamandNadineMcGuireCommissioningFundandtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts.AdditionalsupportprovidedbyLeniandDavidMoore,Jr./TheMooreFamilyFundfortheArtsofTheMinneapolisFoundation.

1/29 –31

Jon hassell MUSIC

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2/12

JonHassell Thursday,February12,8pm$25($21)Björk,Bono,DiFranco,Townsend,Basquiat,andGlasshaveravedaboutJonHassell,themasterinnovatorandvisionarycreatorofwhathecalls“worldlymusic”—amysterioushybridofancientanddigital,composedandimprovised,EasternandWestern.Earlyinhiscareer,heworkedwithKarlheinzStockhausen,LaMonteYoung,TerryRiley,andragamasterPanditPranNath,whoseHindustanivocalstylewastransmutedbyHassellintoanewtrumpetsound.RockinnovatorsBrianEnoandPeterGabrielcollaboratedwithHassell,thensteeredhisideasintotheavant-popsphere,wheretheyhavesinceevolvedintopost-jazzandrockforms.Hislatestalbum,Fascinoma,producedbyRyCooder,hasopenedasurprisingnewchapterinhisrecordingcareer,creatingagloriousacousticsoundthatreapedcriticalacclaim.CatchHassellonhisfirstU.S.tourin20years.


“Almost all of the musicians I meet at the moment seem to regard Jon Hassell

as one of the God-like geniuses of contemporary music.” — THe WIre

2/12

Batsheva dance companyshalosh (three)

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2/18

“If you could hold one of Ohad Naharin’s dances in your hand, it would feel smooth.

Think of a polished stone. It looks like a piece of secret sculpture, but hurl it and it

becomes a weapon.” — VIllage VOIce

BatshevaDanceCompanyWednesday,February18,7:30pm$36,$30,$25($27,$22,$18)

Northrop,UniversityofMinnesota,EastBankcampusOhadNaharin,artisticdirectorofBatshevaDanceCompany,hasemergedasoneoftheworld’smostaccomplishedcontemporarychoreographers.Hisartisticintegrityandinnovation,broughttolifebythepowerofhis17-membercompany,areonfulldisplayinthismasterwork.Thepieceispropelledwithbreathtakingpowerthroughthreesections—Bellus(Beauty),Humus(Earth),andSeus(ThisorNotThis)—andinterwovenwithmusicbyBrianEno,theBeachBoys,andBach.Criticshavehailedtheresultsasrawandelegant,violentandtender.Note:containsbriefnudity.CopresentedwithNorthropDanceattheUniversityofMinnesota.

SupportprovidedbyLeniandDavidMoore,Jr./TheMooreFamilyFundfortheArtsofTheMinneapolisFoundation,andtheNationalDanceProjectoftheNewEnglandFoundationfortheArts.


2/18

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ray leesiren

UK PERFORM

ANCE NOW!

2/20–21

RayLee Friday–Saturday,February20–21$15($12) Friday:7and9pm Saturday:2,7,and9pm

UKsoundartistRayLee’sbewitchingsonicsculpturesbecomeanextraordinarychoirthatproducesmesmerizingdronesandwhirlsoflightinacarefullyshapedhourlongsound/theatricalperformance.Anindescribableexperience,Sirenincorporates30largemetaltripodsatvaryingheightswithrotatingarmsthatgenerateelectronictones.Inneardarkness,twoperformersseteacharminmotion,buildingadramatic,immersivespectacleofchoreographedmovement,light,andsoundwhiletheaudienceisfreetoroamtheMcGuirestage.Sirenwasahitofthe2007EdinburghFringeFestival.

SupportprovidedbytheBritishCouncil.SponsoredbyMacy’sFoundation.Mediapartners89.3TheCurrentandVita.mn.

“I could have sat for hours, hypnotized by the final crystal chord of the

spinning oscillators.” — LIve Art MAgAzIne, UK

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2/20–21

dean wareham and Britta phillips

13 most Beautiful... songs for andy warhol’s “screen tests”

MUSIC + FILM

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2/28

DeanWarehamandBrittaPhillips Saturday,February28,8pm$22($18) WalkerCinemaSinger/guitarist /composerDeanWareham(formerlyofGalaxy500andLuna)wascommissionedbyTheAndyWarholMuseuminPittsburghtocomposemusictoaccompanysomeofWarhol’srarelyseensilent-filmportraits,whichtheartistcalledScreenTests.Theseextraordinarydocumentsofthe1960sNewYorkartsceneconstituteavoluminousportraitgalleryofwell-knowncelebrities,Factorysuperstars,andanonymousteenagers.Wareham’swistfultenorandlanguoroussongsandBrittaPhillips’dreamyharmoniesmaketheperfectlivesoundtrackforWarhol’stechnicallysimpleyettransfixingfilms.

Preshowcelebrity-portraitgallerytourat7pm(freewitheventticket).


“One of the most influential sounds to emerge out of the ’80s rock

underground... seductively drowsy and intimate.” — ROlling StOne

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2/28

dirty proJectorsMUSIC

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3/6

“There’s a world of cross-references in Dirty Projector’s music: stuttering modal riffs

from Mali... pygmy antiphonal vocals, Captain Beefheart, Zimbabwean and Congolese rock, King Crimson, Talking Heads, Dan Hicks and

his Hot Licks.” — New YorK TiMes

DirtyProjectors Friday,March6,8pm$18($15)Style-smashingBrooklynartrockensembleDirtyProjectorsisawell-tunedpopsupercollider.LeaderDaveLongstreth’scompositionalbrillianceshinesthroughrapid-firesonicchangesandfastidiouspop/punk /soulsongsthatcareenfromtensetojoyfultoirreverent,achievingasoundscapethat’s“completelystrangeandoddlyfamiliaratthesametime,”saysDavidByrne.HearwhatliesaheadasDPpremieresmusicfromitsforthcomingCD(andothersurprises)inthisspeciallyconstructedWalkerevening.


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3/6

david gordon pick up performance co(s.)

uncivil wars: moving with Brecht & eisler

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DANCE/THEATER — WALKER COMMISSIO

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3/12 –14

DavidGordonPickUpPerformanceCo(S.) Thursday–Saturday,March12–14,8pm $18($15)Thursday$25($21)Friday–SaturdayGermandramatistBertoltBrechtviewedmostwarsasapoliticalpanaceaforeconomicdownturnsandapurposefuldivisionofpeoplebycolor,religion,language,andgeography—aremarkablytimelyperspectiveinaneradefinedbythe“waronterror,”fearsaboutimmigration,andethnicconflictworldwide.ForthisreimaginingofBrechtandcomposerHannsEisler’srarelyperformedmusic-theaterworkRoundheadsandPointheads,pioneeringchoreographer/theaterdirector /writerDavidGordonanimatesandadulteratesBrecht’spre-HolocaustparablewithanEnglishtranslationbyMichaelFeingold(VillageVoice)andastellarcastthatincludesperformanceartistJohnKelly,AcademyAward-winningactressEstelleParsons(BonnieandClyde),actress/dancerValdaSetterfield,andpianist/composerGinaLeishman(KamakazieGroundCrew).

CommissionedbytheWalkerArtCenterwithsupportprovidedbytheWilliamandNadineMcGuireCommissioningFundandtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts.AdditionalsupportprovidedbySageandJohnCowles.


“His [David Gordon’s] curiosity and intellectual capacity [are] astonishing, and he influenced me in many ways....

He is one of those rare people: he’s brave with his life, and... with his art.” — MikHail BarysHnikov

3/12 –14

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gary stevens ape

UK PERFORMANCE NOW!

3/18, 20–21

GaryStevensWednesday,Friday–Saturday,March18,20–21,8pm$15($12)

Wednesday:BryantLakeBowl,810WestLakeStreet,Minneapolis Friday:RedEye,15West14thStreet,Minneapolis Saturday:OpenEyeFigureTheatre,506East24thStreet,MinneapolisStartingwithsimpleactionsthatrapidlydescendintoahilariousworldofspontaneoustheater,Apemovesfrominstantlyrecognizablesocialsituationstomomentsofheadyslapstick,disruptedlanguage,andspot-ontiming.LaudedBritishconceptualartistGaryStevensjoinsforceswithtwoaccomplishedperformers—JulianMaynardSmith(StationHouseOpera)andAmandaHadingue(Stan’sCafe)—whoportrayinterdependentbeingsboundtocopyeachother’sbehavior.Eachperformanceisfollowedbyawine-fueleddiscussionwiththeartists.CopresentedwithBryantLakeBowl,RedEye,andOpenEyeFigureTheatre.

SupportprovidedbytheBritishCouncilandTheMcKnightFoundation.

“A deluge of exclamations.” — Frieze

3/18, 20–21

Bonnie “prince” BillyMUSIC

Ph

oto: M

ark Wh

iteley

3/19 “Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy is the indie- rock mainstay Will Oldham, whose hushed, country-influenced songs

never sound precious or small; on the contrary, they often achieve an eerie grandeur that not even he seems to

understand fully.” — NeW YOrk Times

Bonnie“Prince”Billy Thursday,March19,8and10:30pm$25($21)Spendaneveningwithoneofthemostenigmaticandcelebratedsinger-songwritersofthepastdecade.Oldham’satmosphericart-folkisborneofanAppalachiannetherworldfindingitsglimmerandglowthroughgentleguitars,lushharmonies,shimmeringfolk-tronics,andelegiesthatslidebetweenspareandsly,lovelyandlonely,beautifulandbucolic.Arareliveperformancebyoneoftoday’smostprolificandfiercelycreativeartists.


3/19

lo còr de la plana MUSIC

Ph

oto: S

. Ben

acer 3/28

LoCòrdelaPlanaSaturday,March28,8pm$22($18)

SinginginthedisappearingRomancelanguageofOccitan,thevocalandpercussionensembleLoCòrdelaPlanaofSouthernFrancenotonlybringsacaptivatingancientculturetolife,butcombinesitsrichtraditionswith21st-centurypolyphonyandsubtleelectronics.OntheirfirstU.S.tour,theirrepressiblemenofLoCòrcombinebendirdrums,tambourines,foot-stomping,andhand-clappingwithdronesandcall-and-responsetocreateanutterlyinfectiousmusicalexperience.TheirartreflectsinfluencesrangingfromchanttoBartók,MiddleEasternvocaltonalitiestotheMassiliaSoundSystem.CopresentedwiththeCedarCulturalCenter.

SupportprovidedbyTheMcKnightFoundation.


“With just those voices and percussion, they did remarkable things.... The music was

equally robust and intricate.” — NeW York Times

3/28

donna uchiZono dance company

thin air

DANCE

Ph

oto

s: Alexan

dra C

orazz

4/2 –4

DonnaUchizonoDanceCompany Thursday–Saturday,April2–4,8pm $18($15)Thursday$25($21)Friday–Saturday

Award-winningNewYorkchoreographerDonnaUchizonodrawsfromtheBuddhisttenetonemptinesstocreateastunningnewtriothatcombinesiconicart-rockguitarist /composerFredFrith’sdenselyintriguingscore,thevisceralpowerofherownuniquemovementvocabulary,andMichaelCasselli’sghostlikevideoimagery.ThinAirisahypnoticexperiencethatbeautifullyutilizessound,simpleyetbrilliantscenicelements,andfinelydetailedmovementthatflowsfromthedeliberatetothefrenetic.

CopresentedwiththeNationalPerformanceNetwork(NPN).


“The haunting quality of Uchizono’s work shone through—a blend of

small but gem-like virtuosic moments, rich metaphors, and unforgettable

visual panache.” — Dance Magazine

4/2 –4

cynthia hopkins the success of failure

(or, the failure of success)MUSIC/THEATER — WORLD PREMIERE/WALKER COMMISSION

Ph

oto

s: Pau

la Co

urt

4/16–18

CynthiaHopkinsThursday–Saturday,April16–18,8pm

$18($15)Thursday$25($21)Friday–SaturdaySinger /performer /directorCynthiaHopkins(AccidentalNostalgia,MustDon’tWhip’Um)hasbuiltalargelocalfollowingforheruniquestyleofcontemporarymusic-theater.ThefinalchapterofAccidentalTrilogytakesherinvestigationofmemory,loss,andpersonalhistorytofuturistic,intergalacticheightsinthismusic-soaked,beguiling,andhumoroustellingofanancientepicimaginedasalivesci-fifilm.Supportedbyherfamiliarandbrilliantcollaborators—videoartists/theatricaldesignersJeffSuggandJimFindlay(WoosterGroup)—Hopkinstakesusonanimmersiveexplorationoftime,space,andtheprosandconsofevolution.

CommissionedbytheWalkerArtCenter,CarolinaPerformingArtsatUNCChapelHill,andtheWexnerCenter.SupportprovidedbytheMAPFund,aprogramofCreativeCapital,theWilliamandNadineMcGuireCommissioningFund,theAndrewW.MellonFoundation,andtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts.AdditionalsupportprovidedbyLeni&DavidMoore,Jr./TheMooreFamilyFundfortheArtsofTheMinneapolisFoundation.

“Blurs the edges of confession and performance, concert and play,

memory and creation.... Hopkins pulls off the impossible.” — Time OuT New YOrk

4/16–18

new world dance: new yorknami yamamoto/ nora chipaumire/ luciana achugar

DANCE

Ph

oto

s, top

to bo

ttom

: Brian

a Blasko; Ju

lieta Cervan

tes; Elazar C

. Harel

4/30–5/2

“It’s time for the next revolution...” — New York TImes oN daNce IN New York

NewWorldDance:NewYork Thursday–Saturday,April30–May2,8pm $18($15)Thursday$20($16)Friday–SaturdayCatchtimelyworksofcompassion,courage,andsassbymovement-makersfromaroundtheworldwhoarenowbasedinNewYork.NamiYamamotobringsthetimingofJapanesekyogentheateralongwiththeillusionofpuppetrytoherlatestchoreography,ahowlingflower.AccordingtotheNewYorkTimes,Yamamoto“exploresthesedualitieswithalight,suretouch.”NoraChipaumire,wholivedthroughZimbabwe’ssecondwarofliberation,isdescribedbycriticsas“afierce,rivetingforce.”ShepresentshersoloConvoys,CurfewsandRoadblocksasamemoirofsurvival.LucianaAchugar,dubbed“downtown’swildchildfromUruguay”byDanceMagazine,andhercompanyof“sixuncivilizedwomen”performtheblue-collarASuperNaturalReturntoLovearmedwithamanifestothatdeclaresthecollectivebodyandreclaimsthepleasuresoftheflesh.


Ph

oto

s, left to righ

t: Brian

a Blasko; Ju

lieta Cervan

tes

4/30–5/2

doBet gnahoréMUSIC

Ph

oto: C

hristo

ph

er Ho

pp

e

5/3

DobetGnahoré Sunday,May3,7:30pm$25($21)$30($24)dayofshow CedarCulturalCenter,416CedarAvenueSouth,MinneapolisDobetGnahoré,aremarkableyoungsinger /dancer /percussionist /composerfromCôted’Ivoire,wastheshow-stoppingfavoriteintheWalker’s2006AcousticAfricamixed-billevening.Shenowreturnswithagroupofinstrumentalistsforherfirstfullevening,offeringnewsounds,ancienttraditions,andremarkablemusic.FromMandinguemelodiestoCongoleserumba,IvoryCoastziglibititoCameroonbikoutsi,Gnahoré’span-Africanpaletteblendscolorfulcompositions,jazz-inflectedvocals,andunparalleledcharisma.Singingoflove,life,andlossinpresent-dayAfrica,sheiswidelyhailedasoneofthefreshesttalentsinnewAfricanmusic.CopresentedwiththeCedarCulturalCenter.

SupportprovidedbyTheMcKnightFoundation.SponsoredbyMacy’sFoundation.Mediapartners89.3TheCurrentandVita.mn.

“Onstage, Dobet is a vivacious bundle of energy, blessed with a powerful voice

and infectious charisma.” — BBC

Ph

oto: D

irk Leu

nis

5/3

Jason moranin my mind: monk

at town hallMUSIC

Ph

oto: C

lay Patrick M

cBrid

e

5/9

JasonMoranSaturday,May9,7and9:30pm$35($30)

In2005,theWalkercommissionedpianist /composerJasonMorantocreatehisacclaimedmusic-theaterworkMILESTONE.Hereturnswithamultimediaperformancebuiltaroundtheextraordinary“tentet”recordingofTheloniusMonk’slegendary1959TownHallConcert.IntegratingsamplesofMonk’soriginalmusic,conversations,andphotoswithhisowninterpretationsofMonktunes,Moranleadsusdeepintothehistoricjazzeventwhilesimultaneouslybringingusheadlongintothe21stcentury.“It’smuchlargerthanatributeproject,”Moransays.“MonkisthereasonIstartedplayingpiano.IowehimalltheinvestigationIcando.”FeaturingMoran(piano),RalphAlessi(trumpet),LoganRichardsonIII(altosaxophone),WalterSmithIII(tenorsaxophone),IsaacSmith(trombone),BobStewart(tuba),TarusMateen(bass),andNasheetWaits(drums).CopresentedwithNorthropJazzattheUniversityofMinnesota.


“...the most provocative thinker in current jazz.” — Rolling Stone

Ph

oto: Fran

k Hu

nter

5/9

hoipolloi theatre story of a raBBit

Ph

oto: G

eraint L

ewis

UK PERFORMANCE NOW!

5/28 –30

HoipolloiTheatre Thursday–Saturday,May28–30,8pm $18($15)Thursday$25($21)Friday–SaturdayJoinusforaspotoftea?Thiscomicandcuriouslyupliftingperformancebeginswithteaservicefortheaudience,followedbyajourneycelebratingthecomplexitiesofdeath.CombiningWelshwriter /performerHughHughes’lo-fitheatricalityandhi-fiphysicalityandAledWilliams’atmosphericlivemusic,StoryofaRabbitliftsthelidonlife’sfinalmystery.

SupportprovidedbytheBritishCouncilandKing’sFountain /BarbaraWatsonPillsbury&HenryPillsbury.

“Story of a Rabbit delicately balances the mundane and the profound, the

tragic and the comic.” — ScotSman

5/28 –30

upcoming exhiBitions

Make a Night of It at 20 •21

Before or after the performance, enjoy modern dining with contemporary taste at 20 •21 Restaurant & Bar by Wolfgang Puck. Whether for cocktails, lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, Walker members receive a 10 percent discount for their entire party (excluding alcoholic beverages). Make your reservation at 612.253.3410 or walkerart.org/2021.

20.21 restaurant & Bar By wolfgang puck

Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future Opens September 13, 2008– January 4, 2009 Eero Saarinen was one of the most prolific, unorthodox, and controversial masters of 20th-century architecture. The first major museum retrospective of this Finnish-born American architect’s career is a joint presentation by the Walker and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future is organized by the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York, the Museum of Finnish Architecture, Helsinki, and the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., with the support of the Yale University School of Architecture. ASSA ABLOY is the global sponsor of the exhibition. The exhibition is copresented in Minneapolis by the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Major support is provided by Judy Dayton. Media partner Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.

Lead local sponsor

Eero S

aarinen

, Miller H

ou

se, Co

lum

bu

s, Ind

iana,

circa 1957 P

ho

to: Ezra S

toller/E

STO

Buy early and save. Purchase any 4 shows and get the 5th free! Offer expires November 16, 2008.

Walker members save!Members save on performance, film, and event tickets and also receive free unlimited admission to the Walker galleries and a 10 percent discount in the Walker Shop, Wolfgang Puck’s 20 •21 Restaurant & Bar, and Gallery 8 Café. Become a member today by calling 612.375.7600 or visit membership.walkerart.org.

Student TicketsA limited number of discounted tickets are available for students with valid school ID. Call 612.375.7600 for availability.

Group RatesDiscounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information, contact the Group Sales Specialist at 612.375.7569 or [email protected].

Performing Arts SupportersThe Walker Art Center’s Performing Arts programs are generously supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation through the Doris Duke Performing Arts Endowment Fund, the William and Nadine McGuire Commissioning Fund, The McKnight Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Walker Art Center’s Dance Season is sponsored by

The Walker Art Center’s Music Season is sponsored by

Sponsor Media partners

Producers’ CouncilPerforming Arts programs and commissions at the Walker Art Center are generously supported by the individuals of the Producers’ Council: Sage and John Cowles; Roger Hale and Nor Hall; King’s Fountain /Barbara Watson Pillsbury & Henry Pillsbury; William W. and Nadine M. McGuire; Leni and David Moore, Jr.; and Mike Sweeney.

Walker Art Center programming is made possible by its Premier Partners

walkerart.org/tickets612.375.7600

season preview th 9/18 free

events dates regular price (memBer price)

th–sa 9/11–13rainBow quarry $50 ($45)merce cunningham dance company

th–sa 10/9–11 $18 ($15) th; $25 ($21) f, saeiko & koma

fr 10/10state theatre $29the magnetic fields

th–sa 10/23–25 $18 ($15) th; $28 ($23) f, sathe Builders association

sa 11/29 (7 & 9:30 pm) $20 ($16)choreographers’ evening

sa 12/6 $35 ($30)yusef lateef with douglas ewart, roscoe mitchell, and adam rudolph

fr–sa 12/12–13 $25 ($21)Jay scheiB, anthony gatto, Zeitgeist, Jack, and chris larson

th–sa 1/8–10 $18 ($15) th; $20 ($16) f, saout there: national theater of the usa

th–sa 1/15–17 $18 ($15) th; $20 ($16) f, saout there: toshiki okada/chelfitsch

th 1/22 (9 pm) fr–sa 23–24 (7 & 9:30 pm)walker art center galleries

$18 ($15) th; $20 ($16) f, saout there: tim crouch

th–sa 1/29–31 $18 ($15) th; $20 ($16) f, saout there: young Jean lee

fr 3/6 $18 ($15)dirty proJectors

th 3/19 (8 & 10:30 pm) $25 ($21)Bonnie “prince” Billy

th–sa 4/30–5/2 $18 ($15) th; $20 ($16) f, sanew world dance: new york

th 2/12 $25 ($21)Jon hassell

w 2/18 (7:30 pm)northrop $36, $30, $25 ($27, $22, $18)Batsheva dance company

fr 2/20 (7 & 9 pm)sa 2/21 (2, 7 & 9 pm) $15 ($12)ray lee

sa 2/28cinema $22 ($18)dean wareham and Britta phillips

th–sa 3/12–14 $18 ($15) th; $25 ($21) f, sadavid gordon pick up performance co(s.)

w 3/18 fr–sa 3/20–21various minneapolis venues $15 ($12)gary stevens

sa 3/28 $22 ($18)lo còr de la plana

th–sa 4/16–18 $18 ($15) th; $25 ($21) f, sacynthia hopkins

su 5/3 (7:30 pm)cedar cultural center $25 ($21); $30 ($24) day of showdoBet gnahoré

sa 5/9 (7 & 9:30 pm) $35 ($30)Jason moran

th–sa 4/2– 4 $18 ($15) th; $25 ($21) f, sadonna uchiZono dance company

th–sa 5/28–30 $18 ($15) th; $25 ($21) f, sahoipolloi theatre

sa 9/27ted mann concert hall $35 ($30)

charlie haden’s liBeration music orchestra with special guest carla Bley

Unless otherwise noted, events take place at 8 pm in the McGuire Theater.

performing arts 2008–2009

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walker art centermedia.walkerart.org/pdf/pa0809.pdf · 2008. 8. 11. · toshiki okada/chelfitsch,...

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