Pittsburgh’s acclaimed newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival Biggest Yet

By Steve Sucato When Kelly-Strayhorn Theater Executive Director Janera Solomon was putting together the theater’s inaugural newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival, in 2009, few dance artists outside of Pittsburgh had heard of the theater. Now, in its fifth year, the annual festival and the theater are becoming known nationally. That led to a record 40 emerging-choreographer applicants from around the country seeking to take part. “This … Continue reading Pittsburgh’s acclaimed newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival Biggest Yet

Montreal’s Compagnie Marie Chouinard stages U.S. premieres in Pittsburgh

By Steve Sucato Canadian choreographer Marie Chouinard says she has butterflies in her stomach over her latest work, “Gymnopédies.” That’s because when I spoke with her recently about the work that premiered in Lisbon, Portugal, this past June, she was still revising it. “I am sure it will turn out good, but my stomach doesn’t know that yet,” joked Chouinard, by phone from Montreal. With … Continue reading Montreal’s Compagnie Marie Chouinard stages U.S. premieres in Pittsburgh

Prolific Texture Contemporary Ballet goes ‘Nearly Wild’

Texture Contemporary Ballet dancers Amanda Summer and Alan Obuzor. Photo by Katie Ging. By Steve Sucato To say that Texture Contemporary Ballet’s Alan Obuzor and Kelsey Bartman are prolific dance-makers might be an understatement. Since founding the Pittsburgh-based troupe in 2011, the pair has had a hand in creating more than 30 new ballets for it. For many choreographers, that would be a decade’s worth … Continue reading Prolific Texture Contemporary Ballet goes ‘Nearly Wild’