Performance documentary:  http://vimeo.com/43986299/

(2012)  May 5  In Voluntary Encounters – Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC features Maida Withers Dance Construction Company and guest artist choreographers / dancers from NYC, Boston and Japan.  This interactive event of dance, live video feed, film, and electronic music includes improvisations and choreography by dancers, choreographers, and composers who perform.

The program features choreographers who dance and a composer who performs his music live.  This integrative program features imagined dances and ideas about dance that come into reality during the performance, deconstruction of dances previously created, fragments of dance works not yet completed – unexpected encounters by exceptional choreographers who dance and a composer who performs.

Each artist will reveal some aspects of his/her distinctive artistic style, habits and response to the group situation and experiences of the day and time.  These artists intend to interact and create spontaneous choreography during the performance.  The artists recognize what is happening and realize its value at the same moment that you, the audience, recognize it, certainly not before.  We are happy to share with you this discovery process.

Note:  Proceeds, ticket sales, provide an award for GW student(s) for professional summer study in dance.

“Meet virtuosic choreographers who dance – moving in real time and fantasy time, sharing the stage for this one-night stand of unkempt beauty – IMPROVISATION and PERFORMANCE that is raw, re-captured, involuntary.“

Concert Concept and director, Maida Withers.  Collaborators:  Performers/Dancers/Filmmakers:  Nate Bond (DC), Monstah Black (NYC), Wendell Cooper (NYC),  Junichi Fukuda (DC/Japan), Anthony Gongora (DC), Tzveta Kassabvova (DC/Bulgaria), Giselle Ruzany (DC/Brazil), Sarah Slifer (Boston), Maida Withers (DC), Composer/Musician, Steve Hilmy (DC).

Excerpts:  https://vimeo.com/44001881/

PROGRAM
Duets Plus+ – Based on duet choreography by Maida Withers for Dance Construction Company dancers Anthony Gongora, Giselle Ruzany; Tzveta Kassabova, Nate Bond joined by guests, Junichi Fukuda, Japan,  and Sarah Slifer.  Electronic music, performed live, by Steve Hilmy.

Dust to Dust – Blending hindsight / foresight / structure / improvisation (music, voice, dance). Created and performed by NYC Guest Artists, Monstah Black and Wendell Cooper.

Deconstruction of Thresholds Crossed Part 2 – Original choreography by Maida Withers with dancer Anthony Gongora, joined in improvisations by DCCo dancers Nate Bond, Tzveta Kassabova, Giselle Ruzany and guest artists, Monstah Black, Wendell Cooper, & Sarah Slifer. Film by Linda Lewett. Music by Audrey Chen, vocals and cello, and Steve Hilmy, electronic music.

TZVETA – Choreography by Maida Withers and Tzveta Kassabova, dancer, performing with a projected installation of  two films: Tzveta I by Anthony Gongora and Tzveta II by Ayo Okunseinde.   Music for film created and performed by Steve Hilmy, resident composer for MWDCCo.

Chroma – Improvisation with chroma colored green and orange objects with DCCo and Guest Artists; Music by Steve Hilmy.

Video documentation by Matthew Swift.