“Seeking Beauty” as part of “Present Present Present”*

Presented by York Dance Works, co-sponsored by
Moon and Stars Project and The American Turkish Society

Friday, November 6, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 8:00pm
Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm

The Merce Cunningham Studio
55 Bethune Street on the 11th floor
(Entrance on Washington St. between
W. 11th & 12th streets)

Tickets: $20 (adults), $15 (students and industry)

Cast & Credits
Choreographer: Korhan Başaran
Music: A. Corelli, G.F. Haendel, H. Purcell, F. Couperin
Dancers: Christiana Axelsen, Becky Chaleff, Peiju Chien, Philip Montana, Elliott Reiland, Korhan Başaran

Please join us for the premiere of “Present Present Present” by York Dance Works. The program features Turkish choreographer Korhan Başaran in “Seeking Beauty”, a sextet with baroque music by composers Couperin, Corelli, Handel and Purcell. It also includes York Dance Work’s newest work, “Present Times Distant Measures “choreographed by Artistic Director Lucy York Struever with original music by Nat Osborn. Two duets by York Dance Works company members Matt Adams and Marybeth Hanley, the duet “Elegy” by Korhan Başaran, and a revised “Sweet Here and There” by Ms. Struever round outs the program.

The performance covers a spectrum of abstract experiences and emotions. With “Seeking Beauty” Korhan Başaran tries to distill what beauty truly means; he wants us to realize that beauty lies in the journey itself, not in actually attaining it. York Dance Works’ “Present times Distant Measures” features seven dancers and focuses on the convoluted experience of time from one moment to the next. Adams’ work “Still Here” with music by Tyrone Wells explores the balance of support between two people, and co-existence as choice versus nature. Marybeth Hanley’s duet questions different ways in which we relate to the world about us and reenergize; whether we can be happy by retaining an optimistic outlook or if that will lead to self deception instead.

*This program is presented as a part of the Moon and Stars Project’s “Community Grants” program, which provides assistance to projects of high standards in order to encourage local artistic efforts and initiatives in the Turkish-American community.