Dance Magazine Awards 2018
(Dance Magazine Awards Web Page)

Frederic M. Seegal, Dance Media CEO
Jennifer Stahl, Editor in Chief, Dance Magazine
Karen Hildebrand, VP, Editorial, Dance Media
Wendy Perron, Editor at Large, Dance Magazine

Special Presenters:
Patrick Corbin
Sean Curran
Joan Finkelstein
Darren Walker
Arcell Cabuag
Frederic M. Seegal

At
The Ailey Citigroup Theater
(Ailey Studios Web Page)

2018 Award Winners:

Michael Trusnovec
Crystal Pite
Lourdes Lopez
Ronald K. Brown
Raja Feather Kelly & Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie
(Inaugural Harkness Promise Awardees)
Nigel Redden (Inaugural Leadership Award)

Stage Manager: Kathleen Scott
Reception Catering: Amy Steinberg, Catered Events
Press: Jonathan Marder & Company

Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
December 3, 2018

Tonight’s 2018 Dance Magazine Awards presentation, at Ailey Citigroup Theater, was, as always, compelling and enthralling, with the annual Awards presented to four honorees, Michael Trusnovec, Crystal Pite, Lourdes Lopez, and Ronald K. Brown. New Inaugural Awards were also bestowed upon Raja “Feather” Kelly and Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie (Harkness Promise Awards) and upon Nigel Redden (Leadership Award) this year. Choreographies were performed prior to each award, showcasing the artist/s and their respective companies. The Awardees spoke of their pride and struggles, often with poignancy and humor, to tonight’s audience, composed mainly of the regional dance community and local dance enthusiasts. Projections, media, and lush lighting effects enhanced the extraordinary experience. Misty Copeland, a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, initially greeted the crowd with poignant, personal comments. Also addressing the audience were Frederic M. Seegal, Dance Media CEO, who introduced Nigel Redden, Jennifer Stahl, Editor-in-Chief of Dance Magazine, who introduced Mr. Seegal, and Wendy Perron, Editor at Large, who graciously and warmly gave the closing remarks.

Paul Taylor’s 2002 “Promethean Fire”, for which I have written rave reviews over the years, opened the live performances with Mr. Trusnovec in his renowned duo with Parisa Khobdeh. We watched breathlessly as Ms. Khobdeh leaped into Mr. Trusnovec’s arms to the rich organ chords of Bach. In true form, this duo was mesmerizing. Patrick Corbin, now an Asst. Professor of Practice at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, was a member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company for six years, and he glowingly spoke about Mr. Trusnovec, who praised Mr. Taylor, whom we sadly lost on August 29, 2018. Mr. Trusnovec is one of many who will keep Mr. Taylor’s flame brilliant and spirited. An excerpt of the 2010 “The Other You”, by Crystal Pite, to a recording of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14, with sound by Owen Belton and costumes by Linda Chow, was danced by Andrew Murdock and Michael Gross of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Sean Curran, Dance Dept. Chair at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and Artistic Director of the Sean Curran Company, introduced Ms. Pite, who was thrilled to accept her Award.

Films of works by Ms. Asherie and Mr. Kelly were followed by a tribute to these artists from Joan Finkelstein, Executive Director of the Harkness Foundation for Dance. Ms. Asherie and Mr. Kelly joined Ms. Finkelstein on stage, to receive their Harkness Promise Awards. They spoke about the challenges of funding, space, and time in the midst of achieving their success. An excerpt of George Balanchine’s 1962 “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, music by Mendelssohn, was then danced by Tricia Albertson and Renan Cerdeiro of Miami City Ballet, whose Artistic Director is Lourdes Lopez. Ms. Lopez was ebulliently introduced by Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, who said he fell in love watching her dance with grace and character. Ms. Lopez, in accepting her Award, spoke about her groundbreaking role as first Latina principal dancer and first Latina Artistic Director.

Ronald K. Brown’s 2016 “She Is Here” was next, with a score by Andy Gonzalez, and a costume by Keiko Voltaire. Mr. Brown was introduced by Arcell Cabuag, Assoc. Artistic Director of Evidence, a Dance Company, which showcased Annique Roberts, from the company, performing Mr. Brown’s stunning, silky, solo dance, to sultry Cuban rhythms. Next, Andrea Miller’s 2017 “Stone-Skipping”, music by Phil Kline, was performed by Gallim company members. After Ms. Stahl introduced Mr. Seegal, and Nigel Redden spoke about his international festivals and history as an impresario of cultural events, and Ms. Perron gave her closing remarks, everyone adjourned upstairs to a gorgeous catered reception. Kudos to all the Awardees, and kudos to Dance Magazine.

For more information, contact Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower at zlokower@bestweb.net