The A.W.A.R.D. Show is a modern dance competition in which the audience picks the winners of the first four events. A moderated discussion with the choreographers was held after the performances and there was a reception after that. This was the fourth event. The finals are on May 20, 2007.

ExploreDance.com donated two cheese and crackers platters from Ernest Klein & Co. International Supermarket (www.ErnestKlein.net) for the reception.

Shadow Artist
Created and performed by Sara Juli

Ms. Juli presented a work that was half dance, half performance art. She started by sitting on the floor talking to herself. She made direct reference to the audience. She breathed on a guy in the audience. She leaned into me and acted like she was about to throw up. Fortunately, she didn't. She sat on a guy in the audience and watched the stage. Sometimes she strode across the stage and sometimes her movements were more dance-like. She would talk aloud about her movements, saying things like "I need to do a turn here" which would be followed by a turn. She talked about trying so hard, but being paralyzed. This work was disturbing and engaging at the same time. It was abstract while also, perhaps, having something positive to say about the human condition in one long sentence.

Passing
Choreographed by Kyle Abraham
Performed by Cecily Campbell, Evan Copeland, Jennifer Freeman, Dorothy L. Mindur, Megan Merrill, Lauren Muraski, Katelyn Stelley, Stephanie Takei, Meagan Vincent
Music by Rachelle Farrell, Mountains, Fennez and Rachel's mixed by Kyle Abraham

This work was appealingly graceful, if a little weird. There was some very nice use of closed position which was quite balletic. Normally one leads one's partner with one's hands or body. This was the first time I have seen someone perform a lip lead, while embracing no less. There were also some very nice head rolls. Both spasms and smooth movements were featured. According to Mr. Abraham, this work consists of sections that can be randomly recombined.

Home Birth
Choreography by Jennie MaryTau Liu with Hannah Heller
Sound by Jennie and Hannah with Heather Christian

This was a performance art work with a spasmodic pregnant housewife and a nurse in conversation. There was some discussion after the show about whether the often wild movements were respectful of pregnancy, but the artists said they were trying to create a feeling of risk. The work is based on a BBC documentary about a pregnant model.

flawed (excerpt)
Choreography and original sound design by Ashleigh Leite
Performed by Gina Bashour, LoMa Familar, Meredith McCanse, Sandy Tillett

Four women in red costumes performed a very energetic dance. They pulled apart and then came back together. The passages had good variation in the number of dancers on stage at any given time. The movement had an appealing quality and flowed together well. The audience used the words vulnerable, static electricity, compelling and same pace to describe the work when asked for words by Ella Ben-Aharon, the discussion moderator.

All in all, this was another interesting and diverse evening of dance. The finals of The A.W.A.R.D. Show will be held at the Joyce SoHo on May 20, 2007 at 7 pm. Contact Neta at npulvermacher@nyc.rr.com for more information.

Cheese and Crackers Platter from Ernest Klein & Co. International Supermarket (www.ErnestKlein.net) donated by ExploreDance.com Photo © & courtesy of Robert Abrams