Looking Back at Backhausdance at McCallum Theatre
Photo by Jack Hartin
Backhausdance is thrilled to have completed their most recent evening-length performance at the beautiful McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. On the night of January 16, three diverse pieces were brought to the stage to create a night that highlighted the extraordinary range of the company and its repertory. The dancers, in the face of three demanding and full-bodied works, performed beautifully all night, superbly demonstrating their monumental physical and mental capability.
The show opened with Hive, a vibrant company favorite choreographed by Artistic Director Jennifer Backhaus. The stage was brought to life by the intricate textures and musicality of the movement. The complex relationships and patterns of the dancers drew the group together as the stage brightened before the audience’s eyes.
Beyond the Noise was next, and closed out the first half of the show. A breathtaking creation by Italian choreographer Walter Matteini with wife Ina Broeckx, this moving performance pushed the dancers to the full depth of their emotional and physical range. Through the athletic and hugely expressive choreography, the audience was able to witness the gravity and beauty of a raw and deeply human experience.
Scene Unseen, created by Dwight Rhoden, founding artistic director and resident choreographer of Complexions Contemporary Ballet closed out the show on Thursday with an extraordinary finish. The pure intensity and full physicality of the dancers brought the audience with them on their journey, creating a gripping performance from start to finish. The lighting design by Michael Korsch brought the dancers into another world, and magnificently highlighted their impressive technique.
Backhausdance © Photos by Jack Hartin
In addition to the evening performance, the company explored the “language of dance” in an hour-long lecture demonstration for more than 500 students who were bussed into the theater in the morning. Students, ranging in grade from elementary through high school, were given peeks inside Hive and Scene Unseen. Local youth dancers from the McCallum Theatre’s Studio Project also had the opportunity to reprise work from the Palm Desert Choreography Festival.
The night was a huge success, complete with a standing ovation from the audience as Jennifer Backhaus joined the company onstage for their final bow. Thanks to the McCallum Theatre and all who joined us, the company presented an impressive and stunning evening of dance, and showcased the dancers’ exceptional range of emotional and physical performance beautifully.
British-Israeli Sensation Rachel Erdos: In Residence
We’ve been so looking forward to March! International, British-Israeli sensation Rachel Erdos will be in residence for a month-long incubation period to create Q&A [The 36 Questions]. In this 50-minute, interactive dance-theater work, the award-winning choreographer explores 36 questions psychologist Arthur Aron designed for dialogue between two strangers. According to the study, openness to another person and placing ourselves in a position of vulnerability develops deeper intimacy that can spark immediate love. Six dancers weaving their way through 36 questions makes for a fascinating revelation of personalities, lives and experiences in an intimate dance event.
Backhausdance’s Q&A [The 36 Questions] will receive its preview performance Saturday, March 28, 2020. Seating is limited and will be by invitation only.
Here’s a trailer of Q&A [The 36 Questions]:
Stay tuned to our social channels during the month of March for more sneak peeks inside the creation process!
Photo by Tovit Heller
ABOUT RACHEL ERDOS
Rachel Erdos is an award-winning, independent, British-Israeli choreographer. Born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, she has lived and worked in Tel Aviv since 2002.
Rachel received her MA from The Laban Centre London, specializing in choreography. She is the recipient of many awards and prizes including: 2008 First Prize at the AICC International Choreography Competition in Aarhus, Denmark; 2009 City Dance Ensemble’s commissioning project, Washington DC; 2012 Artist of the Year in the Field of Dance, The Ministry of Absorption, Israel; and 2014 NorthWest Dance Project’s Pretty Creative Commission prize, Portland, Oregon. In 2015, Rachel was awarded the prize for Independent Choreographer of the Year by the Ministry of Culture, Israel.
She has been commissioned by Company E and American University, Washington D.C; NorthWest Dance Project, Oregon; Panta Rei Danseteater, Mancopy Dance Company, Denmark; Moving Into Dance Mophatong Company, Johannesburg, South Africa; as well as Curtain Up Festival, Kolben Dance, Ido Tadmor, Nehara Dance Company and Machol Shalem Dance House, Israel.
Her work has been seen around the world including Belarus, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Senegal, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Tajikistan, the UK, and the US; at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and the Royal Opera House in London.
In addition to creating and touring her own works, Rachel is currently the curator of dance for the Menashe Forest Music Festival, Israel. She also teaches extensively and in 2018 was artist/lecturer at Brown University, RI.
Backhausdance at Palm Desert's McCallum Theatre
After a successful performance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in the spring, we are excited to bring back three memorable works for our next full-length concert on January 16 at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert.
Walter Matteini’s Beyond the Noise is a deeply human, emotional, and athletic creation whose choreographic language hinges on the quest to explore the human soul. Scene Unseen, the much admired work created by Dwight Rhoden, was a huge success in its recent premiere, and we are thrilled to revive it for its second performance.
After a successful performance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in the spring, we are excited to bring back three memorable works for our next full-length concert on January 16 at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert.
Walter Matteini’s Beyond the Noise is a deeply human, emotional, and athletic creation whose choreographic language hinges on the quest to explore the human soul. Scene Unseen, the much admired work created by Dwight Rhoden, was a huge success in its recent premiere, and we are thrilled to revive it for its second performance. The spectacular dynamic choreography paired with lighting design by Michael Korsch highlights the stunning technical range of the company brilliantly. Finally, Hive, a company favorite by our very own Jennifer Backhaus, is a musical triumph whose intricate relationships unfold to create an impressive group dynamic.
A Peek Inside: “Scene Unseen.” Choreography by Dwight Rhoden.
We are so looking forward to bringing these pieces to life once again in another beautiful performance, and we hope you won’t miss joining us for this incredible evening of dance.
For more information on programming or to reserve tickets, visit mccallumtheatre.com.