Retrograde Universe – Oberon's Glade

Saturday June 11th, 2016 – I stopped in at the Ailey Studios this afternoon where Catherine Gallant and her very attractive troupe of dancers were in rehearsal, preparing for their upcoming performances at Danspace (St. Mark’s Church, 131 East 10th Street. New York, NY). Performance dates are June 23rd – June 25th, 2016, and you can purchase tickets here.

Retrograde Universe is the title of this world-premiere production presented by Catherine Gallant/DANCE and Dances by Isadora, led by Artistic Director and Choreographer Catherine Gallant. Retrograde Universe includes four pieces by Gallant and three Isadora Duncan works. From Isadora, we will have an historical re-animation of Duncan’s Beethoven No. 7, which has not been performed since 1979; Three Scriabin Etudes, danced by Kristen Foote of the Limón Company on opening night; and Valse Brillante. Gallant’s Retrograde Universe, Finally, The Secret and Meeting #12 will show the contemporary aspects of the Company. The performance will feature musicians Christina Courtin and Yegor Shevtsov, and a visual creation from Nadia Lesy.

In observing these lovely women today – going about their work with such dedication and such beauty of movement and expression – one feels a direct connection both with the well-spring of modern dance and with the indomitable feminine spirit. Gallant’s company is a collective of generational diversity and highly individual personalities molded into a community by their shared devotion to dance.

Today’s rehearsal included detailed work on some of the pieces to be shown at Danspace as well as a run-thru of the program. The woman swiftly changed costumes between works, while speaking quietly to one another and sharing a feminine bond: the atmosphere serious, but also light of heart and spirit.

Here are some images that I was able to capture in the studio; much of the dancing was simply too fast-paced for me to capture, but I think the distinctive personalities of this bountiful band of women show thru.

Ella Lang

Francesca Todesco in Isadora Duncan’s Mother

Janete Gondim and Eleanor Bunker in Catherine Gallant’s The Secret

Janete and Eleanor in The Secret

Eleanor Bunker

Janete and Eleanor in The Secret. I was particularly moved by this dancework, and look forward to writing more about it after seeing it in performance.