Archive for the ‘Dance’ tag
Miro Dance Theatre “Spooky Action” at the Kimmel Center
Premiering at the Kimmel Center at Broad and Spruce on May 9th and 10th, “Spooky Action” is Miro Dance Theatre’s interpretation of Albert Einstein’s theory on the unexplainable relationship that quantum particles exhibited, even over long distances. Einstein coined the phenomenon “spooky action at a distance.” Part dance and part video performance, Miro’s “Spooky Action” explores that relationship – and strikingly similar relationships between people.
The production is a seamless integration of contemporary dance, choreographed by critically acclaimed dancer and choreographer Amanda Miller, and cutting-edge video projection, created by filmmaker and video producer Tobin Rothlein. The video, projected onto high-tech backdrops which are intermittently opaque and transparent, acts as a fifth dancer to complement Miro’s four live dancers – Dana Dlugosz, Joy Havens, Scott Lowe and Paul Struck – on stage.
Tickets are $25 at the Kimmel Box office or www.mirodancetheatre.org
Fringe Preview + Artist Talk Back
Featured Event for April 4th:
Philadelphia Live Arts Festival Preview, FREE, at the Arts Bank (Broad & South St), 7pm
Other things to do nearby: Explore South Street west of Broad St. When’s the last time you appropriately enjoyed a PBR in a dive bar like Bob & Barbara’s? Listen to live music at the Tritone? Dined on Jamaican Jerk chicken? Or tried a vegan Philly cheesesteak at Govinda’s Cafe? Its time to check out South St west of Broad.
| The Big Reveal: A Philadelphia Live Arts Festival Meet the Artist Preview + Reception with Headlong Dance Theater
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Like most people, you’ve probably left a contemporary dance performance scratching your head… at least once that you’ll admit to. But you enjoy dance (or your partner does) and you’ll soon find yourself there again, perhaps still scratching your head. If this describes your situation, then take heed: go to previews or artist talk backs, like the one at the Arts Bank featuring Tere O’Connor and the Headlong Dance Theater on April 4th (besides it makes for a great cheap date). If this doesn’t describe you because you understand contemporary dance, it speaks to you in ways you never thought imaginable and you’re absolutely enthralled and inspired by it, then take heed: go to previews or artist talk backs, like the one at the Arts Bank featuring Tere O’Connor and the Headlong Dance Theater on April 4th (besides it makes for a great cheap date). On April 4th, the choreographers of Headlong Dance Theater will be discussing their newest work. In an evening of dance exploration that will perk your intellect and imagination, Headlong’s three co-directors will unveil to one another their previously top-secret creations inspired by the choreographic philosophy of Tere O’Connor who emphasizes deep structure and process in the creation of dances. Using the same six dancers, the three Headlong choreographers work separately for the first time in their 15 year collaboration. Discoveries made from these three early dance creations will lead to a fourth work which will premiere at the 2009 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. Share in the excitement, dialogue, food, and wine!
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Where am I goin’? South Street became well-known for its nightlife between Front Street and 7th St [or so] moving west. Arguably, this ‘cool’ place to hang out has seen better days: independently owned businesses have closed or moved elsewhere, larger chains have moved in (and some are also closing) and the hip vibe that section once felt has faded. This is not to say there isn’t much to do still in that neighborhood: there certainly is, but, like our brave pioneering forefathers, much of it has moved west… The Arts Bank is located on South St at Broad and makes a great starting point to explore South St west of Broad. Crossing Broad Street may seem a daunting task, but the journey is well worth it. With restaurants like the Jamaican Jerk Hunt (featured in the wedding scene in In Her Shoes), Pico De Gallo, and Govinda’s Vegetarian Cafe, your tastebuds and wallet (all very moderately priced) will thank you. And bars like Bob & Barbara’s and the Tritone with their live music, no or low cover charges, and cheap drinks make it affordable to go to town. All within two blocks.
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Two Blocks West of Broad on South St
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African Mariner Festival ~Penn’s Landing
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Saturday, March 14, 12-4pm Independence Seaport Museum Everybody loves an African Dance and Drum performance, so why not check out the African Mariner Festival at the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn’s Landing this Saturday, March 14th, from noon to 4pm. And to make it even better, the Museum is offering BoGo tickets to PhilaCulturati readers! Tickets allow you access to the entire museum collection and all of the Festival activities including arts and crafts, performances, interactive demonstrations such as ship caulking, and educational talks. To take advantage of this offer, click on and print the coupon below.
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Love & Longing ~Avenue of the Arts
Wed, Feb 11th – Sun, Feb 15th, Pennsylvania Ballet at the Merriam Theatre on Broad Street (aka Avenue of the Arts), $25 (originally $95.50) Orchestra seats to ANY performance of Love & Longing. Reserve by phone or at Merriam Box Office ONLY, 215.336.2000, Act fast only 50 seats at this price available per show.
Nearby: The Naked Chocolate Cafe, 1317 Walnut St. OR try Misconduct Tavern, 1511 Locust St. 
Y’know that cosmopolitan you’re dating, the one who says you don’t need to buy gifts on Valentine’s Day, well what that really means (not that anyone on this side of the computer knows this from experience) is that calling 1-800-Flowers and stopping by the CVS for a heart filled of generic chocolates is not the right idea of romance on Valentine’s Day. So create the romance but leave out the conventional crap. You’ll both appreciate a unique, cultured night out that doesn’t involve adhering to clichés. Case in point: Frank Sinatra songs, Oscar de la Renta costumes, Twyla Tharp’s choreography, contemporary ballet, ballroom dancing and classical music, add that to some dark hot chocolate in a cozy cafe or a local brew in a charming tavern and you’d have a romantic, yet slightly less conventional Valentine’s Day experience.
Now before you let your mind escape to those elementary school field trips to the Nutcracker and flinch, let me assure you that contemporary ballet is not all about tutu’s and pliés. For starters Oscar de la Renta does not design “tutus;” he designs black tie ensembles that James Bond would covet. Twyla Tharp is a choreographer known for pushing the envelope by combining popular music with classical forms of dance (ie: ballet, ballroom dancing and so forth mixed with Billy Joel or in this case Frank Sinatra). And the general theme throughout these performances is the play between heartache and romance, and the dissection of romantic clichés. Need I say more? 
But don’t stop there! Want some sweets for your sweetie? Let the Naked Chocolate Café whet your appetite with tantalizing desserts and beverages. This cookie sells itself, so just look at the website for jaw-dropping images of chocolates so sinful they’d tempt St. Valentine. Or for an even less conventional route, visit Misconduct Tavern over on Locust between 15th and 16th. This small tavern with its exposed brick, atmospheric lighting, and superb beer AND wine lists makes a great, away-from-the-Rittenhouse-crowds spot to warm up with your Valentine.