“She emphasized the connectedness of body and soul at a time when links between human beings, their work, and the land were being severed and Victorian prudery shaped moral law.”— Deborah Jowitt, dance critic, Village Voice, 1998
Isadora Duncan, considered by many to be the mother of Modern Dance, was born in San Francisco on May 26, 1877. From the age of 22 until she died as a result of a freak accident at age 50, Duncan lived and danced in Western Europe, the US and the Soviet Union. On May 27th, 2022 7 PM EST Lori Belilove and The Isadora Duncan Dance Company will celebrate Duncan’s 145th birthday and pay homage to the amazing fortitude and courage of the Ukrainian people with a live in-person and live-streamed salon performance of Belilove’s reimaging of Duncan’s freedom Dances set to the Ukrainian National Anthem. This birthday celebration will be performed in-person as well as live-streamed. Information and tickets HERE.
Isadora Duncan – Photo from the web
Belilove, Artistic Director of the company, is a descendant of Ukrainian ancestry states that these dances “evoke the cry, the terror, the loss” of all who struggle for freedom. The entire proceeds from this event will go to support the True Russian charitable organization co-founded by Mikhail Baryshnikov. The performance will feature special guest dance artists performing sections of the Duncan repertory favorites: Schubert’s Ave Maria, homage to universal motherhood; Chopin’s Slow Mazurka of loneliness and isolation; and The Nocturne duet, a tribute to hope.
Isadora Duncan Dance Company dancer Beth Dishroon Wright – Photo by Andrew Wilds
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WHAT: Isadora’s Birthday Performance Live-streamed and in-person
WHEN: May 27th, 2022 7PM EST
WHERE: Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation Studio – 141 West 26th Street, 3rd floor in Chelsea area of New York City.
TICKETS: Virtual $15 – $25 – ZOOM link provided 24 hours in advance
In-person Tickets (limited quantity, priority seating) $100 – $250*
Tickets are on a sliding scale with proceeds from the contribution to support both the Duncan Foundation’s residency in Athens, Greece Summer 2022 and Ukrainian humanitarian efforts (percentage of donations will be made to True Russia charitable organization co-founded by Mikhail Baryshnikov)
*Includes: pre-show talk on the creative process, endless bubbly, & Isadora’s favorite German chocolate cake
Peace for Ukraine
More information and Tickets click HERE:
Can not attend but wish to donate, please click HERE
To learn more about the Isadora Duncan Dance Company, please visit their WEBSITE.
Written by Jeff Slayton with information from The Isadora Duncan Dance Company press release.
Featured image: Isadora Duncan Dance Company dancers Kim D’Agnese and Morgana Tessler – Photo by Andrew Wilds
