Spring is here, meaning that fans of contemporary dance and local bands will have a chance to attend the latest installment of
Trip The Light, appearing once again on Wealthy Theatre's stage. This energetic 120-minute program tests the limits of a performer's body while the local musicians test the limits of the speakers. It is a loud and proud moment in an annual arts tradition rich in creativity.
What is really different this year is the event's focus, one that hit the ground running from the very first days of planning, according to Dance in the Annex's (DITA) Amy Wilson.
Her goal this year is to move DITA from a place where individuals showcase dance pieces. Rather, the hand-selected choreographers work as a fully engaged collective made up of dancers and movement artists all working together towards a same goal. This centered energy is why the collective has adopted the theme of "Mythical."
“When I began conversations with dancer/choreographer Mary Jo Masters a year ago, we were talking about different concepts for dance pieces that interested us and she told me of an idea she had involving Greek goddesses and demi-goddesses,” says Wilson. "Now a year later…we present a series of six solos, each choreographed by someone different and based on a Goddess."
In addition to Wilson’s DITA offerings will be long-time
Trip contributor and GVSU Professor of Dance, Shawn T Bible, who will be joined by Michael Schaefer on accordion.
“We also have a piece by long time DITA choreographer Melissa Mondry Sefton with music by Frank Booth,” says Wilson. “Several members of Frank Booth used to be in Lights at Sea, who performed at the very first
Trip The Light. We are so excited to have them back this year.”
Trip will include three brand new films as well: one by Jon Clay with dancer Sarah Powell, featuring music by Ben Fuhrman; another by Seth Thompson and Wilson with dancer Andrea Nightingale, featuring the music of Seth Galligan; and another by Seth Thompson, with a solo piece that he scored, performed, filmed, and edited.
And in keeping with
Trip’s ever-extending collaboration with other dance communities in our region, Wilson’s playbill is rounded out with two visiting performance troupes: Lisa Lamarre and Dancers from Detroit, and the MegLouise Dance Company of Chicago.
There are a lot of folks who will say 'don’t miss this show' about anything that graces our stages. And yet, this is one of those exceptions where when someone directs you to go see
Trip The Light, you'd better listen. It has become our generation’s
Rite of Spring -- a powerful force reflecting our creative spirit.
Admission: General Seating, $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
G-Sync Trend Alert: This weekend you can get your dance fix with two other exciting events. Grand Rapids Ballet restages a contempory version of
Romeo and Juliet and Dog Story Theater presents
Fighting with Movement. There has never been a bigger weekend for dance since I moved to Grand Rapids in 1981! Get out there! -- Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor.