Counter/Balance

April 5 @ 7pm & April 6 @ 3pm & 7pm / Dogtown Dance Theatre

Counter/Balance explores the gainful paradox of concurrent unity and duality inherent in the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang. At first glance, Yin and Yang appear to be opposing forces, two contrary entities competing for power. What’s just as true is that Yin and Yang are equally complementary forces, two interdependent entities creating an indivisible whole. One cannot exist without the other. Without light there is no dark, without life there is no death. One gives rise to the other as they interrelate to one another. The natural world depicts this relationship effortlessly: day and night, fire and water, heaven and earth. There is a dynamic flow occurring that perpetually balances and re-balances these energies, creating a relationship in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts.

​

In its 7th annual spring concert, RADAR delves into the intricacies of this philosophy, relying on opposing yet complementary forces to create and maintain balance and harmony. This evening length work features choreography by company members Megan Baker, Lauren Morris, Lisa Perkinson and Kara Priddy, as well as guest artists danah bella and Ashley Wyatt. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and may be purchased online or at the door with cash, check or credit.

The Dogtown Presenter's Series: Dark Side of the Moon

September 21-22 & 28-29, 2018 / Dogtown Dance Theatre

This fall, the Dogtown Presenter's Series is taking Richmond to the Dark Side of the Moon. Coinciding with the 45th anniversary of Pink Floyds prolific album, the Dogtown Presenters Series (DPS) seeks to bring together a diverse crowd of music lovers and dance lovers for an unforgettable theater experience. From the artistic vision of Dogtown's Artistic & Executive Director and RVA Dance Collectives Co-Founder and Director, Jess Burgess, Dark Side of the Moon will explore the ideas found in Pink Floyd's music and lyrics through a story of movement.

Through physical dance exploration, Dark Side of the Moon discusses the philosophical and physical elements of existence that can lead to a person's insanity and feelings of an unfulfilled life. The iconic album is a cautionary tale in two parts: the first half describing this unfulfilled life, the second half consisting of individual songs depicting detrimental aspects of society. The philosophical ideas in the second half of the album reflect the madness that is the root cause of the elements explored in the first half of the album.

Dark Side of the Moon's choreography pushes dancers with driven physicality, embodying the linear existence to which we conform in society through part one, while letting disorder and madness take over in the second half, ultimately leading to still one conclusion: "All that's to come and everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon." Humanity's infinite potential to persist and survive in the face of adversity is represented by the life-giving sun; yet, the sun is still eclipsed by the moon.

 

This year's DPS is more than a dance performance; it is a collaboration of talented Richmond artists. This one-of-a-kind collaboration features contemporary dance company, RVA Dance Collective with special guests Dogwood Dance Project and RADAR, merging three of Richmond's independent dance companies for one exceptional, large-scale performance supported by an elaborate, moving set and props.

The performance will be visually stunning thanks to its creative, masterful set, currently under construction by local visual artist and photographer, Mike Keeling. Keeling is a resident artist at Crossroads Arts Center, and frequently has gallery installations at ArtWorks Galleries and Studios, as well as Dogtown Dance Theatre. Keeling's constructions are vital to the storytelling component of this evening-length dance work, including dancers manipulating a 10-foot slide throughout the entirety of the work, alongside a human-sized, revolving hamster wheel resting on a 12-foot mountain depicting the eponymous moon.

The Dogtown Presenters Series is intended to be a fully immersive experience, showing dance can be accessible to everyone, regardless of their prior experiences or relationship with dance.You don't have to enjoy modern dance to enjoy Dark Side of the Moon, and you don't have to enjoy Dark Side of the Moon to enjoy this truly unique showcase of amazing RVA modern dance talent, says choreographer, Jess Burgess. The visual components of this year's Presenter's Series will be stunning and unlike anything RVA has ever seen. The work of Mike Keeling is the perfect compliment to these talented dancers and the album.