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

New York-based Pittsburgh-favorite choreographer Sidra Bell reveals her latest work-in-progress

By Steve Sucato Pittsburgh’s dance community over the past several years has had a love affair with New York-based choreographers. Artists such as Nora Chipaumire, Camille A. Brown and local transplant Kyle Abraham have all established an ongoing presence here through works that have engaged and delighted local audiences and presenters. Another New Yorker whose works have frequented local stages is Sidra Bell. Bell and … Continue reading New York-based Pittsburgh-favorite choreographer Sidra Bell reveals her latest work-in-progress

Dance giant Mark Morris brings his dancers — and musicians — to Pittsburgh’s Byham Theater

By Steve Sucato I first met celebrated choreographer Mark Morris in 2002, on a tour of his state-of-the-art Brooklyn, N.Y. Dance Center with a dozen fellow dance critics. As we were being led into the main studio where Morris was rehearsing his Mark Morris Dance Group, he stopped us and sternly directed us to take our shoes off and quietly seat ourselves along one wall … Continue reading Dance giant Mark Morris brings his dancers — and musicians — to Pittsburgh’s Byham Theater