About the Show

EMBER Series 26 explores a range of dance styles and stories, from an Irish step dance inspired lively neoclassical ballet, Reel Around the Sun, to the premiere of Tess Sinke's tragic take on Trojan Women.

Trojan Women is a 40-minute work centering around Euripides’ famous tragedy by the same name. While the piece itself is not set in ancient times (the women are wearing slip dresses of linen and silk, not togas or ancient tatters), it draws parallels between the horrific acts and demise of characters in the play and what can (and does) happen at any point in history. Dancers portray named characters Helen of Troy, Hecuba, Andromache, and Cassandra, with a Greek Chorus corps de ballet.

"The focus is on what happens to the innocents of a conquered people. This play could be set in pretty much any conflict throughout history, including today (Gaza, Sudan, Iran) and you would see similar crimes against women and humanity." - Tess Sinke, Deos Ballet Artistic Director and Choreographer

Dennis Spaight's colorful and curious Crayola is the perfect remedy to the sorrow that will come in Act 2. This historic ballet, with an original premiere on the Oregon Ballet Theater in 1979, is a work performed in total silence. Calling attention to the sounds made by the dancers' pointe shoes and utilizing American Sign Language to connect with the audience, Crayola was a revolutionary work in the 70s and remains an artistically curious piece about connection and purity.

Lamentation Variations returns to the Deos Ballet stage during EMBER, in collaboration with the Martha Graham Dance Company as a part of their GRAHAM100 celebration. Comprised of three modern solos inspired by Martha Graham's iconic work, Lamentation, this piece explores grief, hope, and passion that connects us all. The solos are preceded by a screening of an exclusive tape of Graham herself performing Lamentation, and helps inform the audience of Graham's contributions to dance history while seeing her influence in action.

And, as so often with Deos Ballet, this is a program entirely choreographed by women. Tess Sinke, Madison Massara-Leister, Christine Settembrino, and Amy Wilson are the choreographers for this mixed bill production, acting as a perfect pairing with Women's History Month. We hope you join us for this beautiful celebration of dance!

Performances

Saturday, March 21 at 2pm

Saturday, March 21 at 7pm

Sunday, March 22 at 2pm

Location

St. Cecilia Music Center

24 Ransom Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Tickets

$45 General Admission