Mark Morris Dance Group at Center for the Arts by Sylvana Christopher

Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble Concert

Center for the Arts, A Mason Arts Venue

Saturday October 19th, 2024

Reviewed by Sylvana Christopher

Click below to hear an audio transcript of this review.

Mark Morris Dance Group performed repertoire: Pacific (1995), Going Away Party (1990), Rock of Ages (2004), and Castor and Pollux (1980). 
Pacific began with three dancers wearing long flowy skirts and bare chests. This first piece looked like cascading flowers or changing leaves or tides. Pacific looked technically difficult with quick leaping turns and memorable motifs. The dancers are strong and seasoned. The live music is a fine treat as well.  

The The next piece is a cowgirl boot clad, bolo tie, square dance western piece. Going Away Party opening reveals a tableau repeatedly like a tetris cube that clicks into one big happy family for picture time. Three women each pair with men and there is one man, Billy Smith, who seems to ride alone. Smith is a George Mason University alum and company member. Fun fact: I danced with Smith eons ago in a multi-disciplinary company called Arts United of Washington. 

The third piece is Rock of Ages which premiered Oct. 28th 2004 at Zellerbach Hall, Cal Performances, Berkeley, California to Piano Trio in E-flat, Op. 148 by Franz Schubert played live by the Mark Morris Music Group. I love the specificity of the premiere dates annotated in the program. This context gives audience members a sense of the origin and tenure of these works. Imagine the incredible work that goes into preserving and remounting repertoire from as far back as twenty years ago! In this piece we see a strong quartet of women dressed in shades of green and blue dancing exuberantly and subtly in ways that draws us closer. Accompanied by the one and only Maida Withers, I do believe this piece was her favorite on the program. 

Last on the concert is an octet titled Castor and Pollux with music by Harry Partch. This dance is as young as this author, born in 1980. The musical score is repetitive and transfixing, it feels tribalistic and ceremonial. Come to learn that Castor and Pollux are horse twins born by Leda and an example of ‘heteropaternal superfecundation’. In regards to other myth inspired works, Morris choreographed the opera Orfeo and Euridice, and I recall seeing it presented at Center for the Arts years ago with a live orchestra and singer. Kudos to this stalwart company for bringing classic repertoire to the fore with extremely talented dancers who move with gusto and grace. Grateful to have seen this concert next to Withers whose assertion; “What is the question?” promotes curiosity for what the choreographer is exploring. Ask yourself at the next modern dance concert you see what the choreographer, designers, dancers and musicians’ questioning with their choices.

Last on the concert is an octet titled Castor and Pollux with music by Harry Partch. This dance is as young as this author, born in 1980. The musical score is repetitive and transfixing, it feels tribalistic and ceremonial. Come to learn that Castor and Pollux are horse twins born by Leda and an example of ‘heteropaternal superfecundation’. In regards to other myth inspired works, Morris choreographed the opera Orfeo and Euridice, and I recall seeing it presented at Center for the Arts years ago with a live orchestra and singer. Kudos to this stalwart company for bringing classic repertoire to the fore with extremely talented dancers who move with gusto and grace. Grateful to have seen this concert next to Withers whose assertion; “What is the question?” promotes curiosity for what the choreographer is exploring. Ask yourself at the next modern dance concert you see what the choreographer, designers, dancers and musicians questioning with their choices.

I look forward to seeing Mark Morris Dance Group again in the future. Their polished, masterful and musical dancing is deeply appreciated and inspiring. 

Sylvana Christopher (she/her) (@sylvidances) D.C. dancer, educator and choreographer. Sylvana co-founded Glade Dance Collective in 2009 which continues to thrive and currently directs SylviDances. Christopher studied performance and choreography earning a BFA from The Ohio State University with the mentorship of Nicole Stanton.