Hurricane & other forces of nature
August 7-9, 8pm
Diana Wortham Theatre
2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
828-257-4530
$30/$25 students & seniors
Our lovely ladies return to join the men for Hurricane & other forces of nature, featuring the Asheville premiere of Maloy’s award winning, “Hurricane.” The piece, created for the 21st Century Choreographic Competition in April, will be restaged for the Terpsicorps dancers. The idea for “Hurricane” grew out of the climate crisis that is becoming increasingly apparent in today’s world. The choreography embodies the strength, patterns and progression of a hurricane from its beginnings at sea to its aftermath on land. The dancers portray the hurricane itself, as well as individuals impacted by the escalating fear of climate change. Maloy will be collaborating once again with projection artist G. Craig Hobbs. Footage of actual hurricanes will swirl around the dancers adding to the atmosphere of a storm, with recorded music by Godspeed You Black Emperor! and costumes by Asheville’s premiere fashion designer R. Brooke Priddy.
The program features a variety of works that explore the way man views both nature and technology. Salvatore Aiello’s “Afternoon of a Faun” portrays the mythological faun, the curious, mischievous half man half beast that at one time embodied man’s wonder at the mysteries of nature. The Terpsicorps favorite, “Couch Potatoes” is an absurdly funny poke at the t.v. generation, who on the whole have managed to resist any connection with the natural world. “A Lone Crowd” takes a look at the growing feeling of isolation we experience as individuals within an escalating population. As our cities get larger and our methods of communication multiply exponentially, true connections between individuals seem to become more difficult to achieve.
The show closes with "The Second Line." Until recently, New Orleans has been known first and foremost for their music. This became second in line to images of a disaster zone after Katrina ravaged the city. The music scene is still strong in New Orleans however, and is at the heart of the reconstruction, the solid constant within a time of disorder. The Second Line is what they call the dancers who follow the musicians in a New Orleans parade. People think of Mardi Gras when they think of these parades, but these celebrations are the same as a traditional New Orleans funeral. Death is considered a beginning not an end, a reason to celebrate. Maloy is collaborating with New Orleans parade musicians who have lived through the disaster and are still fighting the devastating effects that the storm has left on their city. The Terpsicorps dancers will be the Second Line as they are dancers following the musicians, but they also represent the tenacity of the people who must face the ’death’ of their city as they once knew it. The work is created as a statement of hope for the future, and like a New Orleans funeral, a celebration of rebirth. In this case, the rebirth is that of mankind’s respect for nature.
was the associate artistic director of the NC Dance Theatre from 1979 to 1985 when he became the artistic director, putting his unique imprint on the company. Mr. Aiello’s professional career included the Joffrey Ballet, charter member of the Harkness Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Hamburg Ballet. Mr. Aiello has an extensive repertoire that consists of 36 ballets including his critically acclaimed versions of The Rite of Spring, The Nutcracker, Satto, Afternoon of a Faun and Coppelia. Without his amazing vision, Terpsicorps would never have been born. Although no longer with us, Sal’s work touches each and every one of the lives involved in this organization and is the common thread that brings us all together. Part of the reason for creating this company is to continue giving life to the works of this great man.
is a multimedia developer and video artist currently residing in Santa Cruz, CA, but who considers Asheville, NC his home. He completed undergraduate studies in fine art and digital synthesis at the California Institute of the Arts, and has traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia producing field recordings and documentary video. Mr. Hobbs specializes in live video mixing utilizing generative video applications. His innovative use of projection surfaces has included parachutes, tetrahedrons, fog banks, fabric, people, and buildings. A founding member of the Asheville-based independent multimedia collective, Black Box Studio, Mr. Hobbs’ clients include Volvo, Moog Music, NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, the NC Arts Council, Asheville Global Report, the National Percussion Ensemble of Guinea, and Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance. He is currently a graduate student in the Digital Arts/New Media Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
R. Brooke Priddy (Costume Design, "Hurricane")
Approaching each piece as a singular sculpture, R. Brooke Priddy makes garments without the use of patterns and pre-determined limitations. Coming from a background of concentrated studies in the Fine Arts, she applies her technical abilities in drawing and design to the dressmaking arts. Brooke started her own underwear label in New York City in 2002, which soon broadened to include swimsuits and dresses. She now resides in Asheville creating one-of-a-kind custom gowns and wholesaling her handmade dresses to boutiques. Her private studio and storefront is on Haywood Road in West Asheville, where she hosts design appointments, fittings, and does all of her own production work.Brooke attended the San Francisco Art Institute, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000. Prior to this, she attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, graduating from the Visual Arts Department. Brooke also attended Warren Wilson College and UNC Chapel Hill.