[Dance]
NEXT: ISRAEL

About This Event

The extraordinary vision of four of the world’s finest choreographers will be showcased in a debut performance byCompany ǀ E on Saturday, February 25, 2012. NEXT: ISRAEL features an adaptation of “B/olero,” “Max” and “Mamootot” by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, originator of the “Gaga” dance movement and director of Batsheva Dance Company. “Killer Pig” by Sharon Eyal, which had its U.S. debut last year at Chicago's Hubbard Street Dance, as well as “Mechanical Trio” by Yossi Berg and Oded Graf, will also be performed. This will be the first Washington presentation of Naharin’s work since 2004. Berg and Graf’s work was recently showcased at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts.

Founded by Executive Director Paul Gordon Emerson and Associate Artistic Directors Kathryn Pilkington and Jason Garcia Ignacio, Company ǀ E is a new contemporary repertory company focusing on international dialogue through the medium of dance. Prior to the formation of Company ǀ E, Emerson led Washington, D.C.’s CityDance Ensemble for 15 years. Company ǀ E has toured internationally in Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and China promoting cultural dialogues, lasting exchange, partnerships and enduring educational relationships under the auspices of the U.S. State Department. The company is based in Washington, D.C.

Joining Emerson at the helm of this new dance ambassadorship are the versatile and talented Pilkington and Ignatio. Both juggle multiple roles in the company, first as dancers, and as teachers and leaders in this global initiative. The vision of the artistic directors focuses on breaking through cultural barriers and showing dance at its best to a global audience.

“Company ǀ E is a next step in a process I’ve been involved with for almost 20 years here in Washington,” says Emerson. “Our goal is to find the world’s most exciting choreographers, bring them here by drawing on the support of the diplomatic community, and then take their talent around the United States and the world. Israel was the perfect country with which to launch this partnership,” he adds. “It’s almost impossible to understand how so much brilliant art can come out of such a small country in so short a time. But it does. It’s fresh, vital, it changes you.”

NEXT: ISRAEL, presented by Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS), The Embassy of Israel and the Shakespeare Theatre Company of Washington, D.C., is the first in a series of annual performances by the partners and a series of different embassies. The project showcases the singular talents of a particular nation in an effort to bring increased international awareness and appreciation of the country and its contribution to the arts. “Washington Performing Arts Society is excited about being a part of this new project; working with our friends in the embassy community, Shakespeare Theatre Company and Company ǀ E to bring the world’s cutting edge choreographers to Washington audiences,” says WPAS President and CEO Neale Perl.

“Blending the ancient with the cutting-edge, Israeli artists are internationally renowned for their innovative and deeply human approach to the arts,” says Sarit Arbell, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Israel. “The Embassy of Israel is excited to have the opportunity to co-sponsor this evening of dance showcasing some of the finest work in the world by some of Israel's extraordinary choreographers and demonstrating the creativity, passion, color, vibrancy, and life of Israel.”

NEXT: ISRAEL will feature a number of educational outreach projects.

Tickets are $18-$75 and available at 202-547-1122