BARNARD DANCES AT MILLER THEATRE

Four ensemble works by choreographers, Robert Garland, José Limón, Elisa Monte, and Janet Soares will be presented each evening at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, November 21, 22, 23 at 8 p.m.

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s resident choreographer, Robert Garland will premier his latest work, Heart, a dance for 13 dancers (featuring former DTH member, now a Columbia senior, Alicia Graf) set to music by the classic rock group, Heart. Garland joined the DTH in 1985 where he was principal dancer, becoming the company’s first official resident choreographer in 1995. He has served as the Director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem School, and is currently DTH’S artist in residence and archivist.

The second premier of the evening will be Blue Skies to recordings by pianist, Art Tatum, choreographed by Janet Soares, artistic director of DANCES/Janet Soares and chair of Barnard’s Department of Dance. Ten dancers revisit Irving Berlin’s ever optimistic ‘30’s songs, "Blue Skies" and "Isn’t This a Lovely Day?" among others, through Tatum’s renditions.

Two repertory pieces will complete the program. The first, Elisa Monte’s Pigs and Fishes to an original score by Glenn Branca was originally commissioned for the Elisa Monte Dance Company in 1982 by Alvin Ailey. Former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company, in 1981 the choreographer founded the Elisa Monte Dance Company, now widely recognized for its highly athletic style and technical acuity.

Excerpts from José Limón’s landmark 1964 work, Choreographic Offering to Johannes Sebastian Bach’s Musical Offering will close the program. Limón devised this work in memory of his mentor, Doris Humphrey, using thematic dance phrases recalled from her prolific repertory of dance works. Risa Steinberg, guest artist teaching Limón technique at Barnard College, has reconstructed sections from this important work for 18 dancers.

Miller Theatre is located at 116th Street and Broadway, on the No. 1 or 9 train. Tickets are $10 ($5 for senior citizens and holders of a Columbia University I.D.) For reservations, call the Miller Theatre box office at 212 .854.7799.

For press information, contact Sandra Velásquez, at the Barnard College Department of Dance: 212.854.2995 or svelasqu@barnard.edu.