Ann Arbor dance is thriving with Shape // Matter Showcase
Liberty Plaza is completely transformed on a cool summer evening, with string lights radiating from a central tree, music piped in, a central performance space illuminated by stage lights and lined with rows of white folding chairs waiting for an audience. The whole area is buzzing with activity, from dancers congregating and getting to know each other to students who are back in town having dinner on the sidewalk across the street. There’s energy in the air, and it feels good!
The stage is set for the first night of Shape // Matter Showcase, which was Thursday evening. I had the pleasure of watching the entire thing this time, since I am not performing in the Dance Uprising piece that we shared this year. The performance began right as it was getting dark outside, at 8pm. Sean Hoskins, host of Shape // Matter Showcase as well as director of Ann Arbor Dance Network, was the emcee for the evening.
Cloudmoon Dance started the evening with a quartet, “Merry meet to merry part, to merry meet again,” choreographed by Rae Dudek, and performed by Rae, Sam, Macks, and Mac. The title clued me in to the theme of dancers meeting, separating, and meeting again through the choreography. I thoroughly enjoyed the blend of pedestrian movement such as walking with unique dance material arranged in radially symmetrical formations that remind me of square dance. Standout moments for me from this piece stem from my relationship with the dancers who performed. I have known them all through Dance Uprising and outside of dance, and hopefully my adoration for them all shows. I was completely captured by Macks and Sam’s chemistry; their eye contact is magnetic!
Learn more about the dancers in Cloudmoon on their Instagram pages:
The evening continued with a duet performed by Eleanor Raygorodscky and Andrew Pankiewicz, choreographed by Eleanor. This piece featured Eleanor’s trademark style which blends classic ballet shapes with rolling and waving motions through the shoulders, arms, and torso. Her choreography and Andrew’s stage presence highlight Eleanor’s amazing flexibility and creative lifts.
This was followed by Lydia Di Iorio-Rhoton’s solo “Seven Years in a Moment,” choreographed by Aimee McDonald for Terpsichore Collective. This piece is like a modern take on the stories of will o’ the wisps leading someone on a hypnotic, frenetic journey of dancing all night – but instead of will o’ the wisps, it’s technology. The piece takes you through an experience of being enthralled by your phone, getting caught in some kind of time warp, dancing until you don’t know where you came from or where you’re going, and then snapping out of the enchantment.
A little interjection here, if you don’t mind. I like to find humor in the fact that there are so many professional dancers named Amy in the Ann Arbor area. And I think Sean touched on that same humor for this program. Following Aimee McDonald’s choreography, we had my choreography (Amy Cadwallader), and then Amy Guilmette-Gamble’s piece. Sure thing, let’s put all the Amies together. Haha!
“Stretch Marks,” performed by Dance Uprising dancers Ginger Ann, Erin, and Savanna, looked beautiful in the plaza. I am so proud of these dancers for bringing my vision to life!
Amy Guilmette-Gamble choreographed and performed a solo piece called “Treading Ground.” Dressed in shades of blue, surrounded by a soundscape of spoken word and waves breaking on a shoreline, Amy drew in the audience and transported us to a distant coastline. Her movement suggested a journey of conquered indecision, and an invitation to join her on her quest.
The final three pieces of the evening were “Amongst Shadows,” choreographed and performed by Mac and Rae; “Shattered,” choreographed by Sylvia Suttle of Suttle Dance; and “Lester Leaps In,” choreographed by Tommy Wasiuta for Detroit Tap Repertory. I won’t spoil it, but I loved “Amongst Shadows” and you will too. A special note about Suttle Dance and Detroit Tap Repertory: They have both participated in Shape // Matter Showcase every year! This is the fifty year for this event.
I love getting to know other dancers in the Ann Arbor - Detroit corridor! We are building a beautiful community of artists, and we invite everyone to join our audiences and be present for us to share our work with you all. Dance is truly ephemeral: It’s here for a moment, and then it’s gone. Being present, in an audience who may have little in common outside a curiosity or appreciation for dance, is a transformative experience. Allow yourself to be pulled into the moment to experience joy, angst, appreciation, and most of all, connection with the artists who perform and the audience who gathers to watch.
Shoutout to the amazing sound production that was managed by the team from Sly Pup Productions. A high quality sound system immerses the audience in the soundscape and can really take you somewhere!