Performing Arts

Stephen Colbert on avant-jazz composer John Zorn’s MacArthur Genius grant:

A note from Philip Bither, performing arts curator:

Tonight and for the next three nights we present a joyous and anarchic dance-theater work called Back to the Present. Constanza Macras, an Argentine artist now based in Berlin, has assembled fearless, high-energy, absolutely infectious group of performers from all over the world and constructed a "rocking post-modern ode to breakup." If you like your performances brimming with life, juggling wild humor and pathos, unexpected and fresh, full of youthful, artful artlessness with a rock n roll heart, then you owe it to yourself to see this work.

I saw Back to the Present a few years back in Germany. I was immediately swept up by its crazy mix of satire, dance, video, black humor, explosive energy and youthful optimism amidst urban decay that erupted from the stage. I've been working to get the piece here ever since.

So, I was thrilled (and relieved) to get word a few days ago that last weekend's New York performances were a smash success. You know the kind — people begging for tickets, lines out the door. The response from those lucky enough to get in was rapturous. John Rockwell of The New York Times mirrored my feelings about the work:

What distinguishes ‘Back to the Present’ aside from a particularly personable, sexy cast, is the manic good humor of the entire enterprise. The piece ends with a crazed free-for-all…It’s just exhilarating... But the (stuffed) animals and the props and the songs and, above all, the cast, which emerged more and more into strongly defined individual personalities, made the whole apparatus cohere. That, and nice self-satire. And, above all, the unstoppable charm…. 'Back to the Present' sees life there (in bohemian Berlin) among its young and lively through rose-colored glasses, and makes a convincing case for what it sees....Dance Theater Workshop was packed and erupted with cheers.

Last year, two of our season highlights were dance-theater projects from Europe (Anna Teresa de Keersmaeker and Meg Stuart). People are still talking about the power of those pieces. Others, alas, missed them and are still wishing they had been there. I am sure this weekend will be the same, and I just don't want you or your friends to miss out.

We also just announced a special $10 Student Ticket - College or H.S. (note, the work contains some nudity). Order tickets now.

The Walker mourns the passing of a longtime friend and collaborator, Northrop Auditorium director Dale Schatzlein, who died while biking in Colorado August 31. The 58-year old served as director of the University of Minnesota performance venue since 1985. Over the years, he partnered with the Walker in bringing boundary-pushing jazz and dance artists to the Twin Cities, including Bill T. Jones, Merce Cunningham, Bill Frisell, the Ornette Coleman Quartet, a November butoh performance by Sankai Juku and a March 2007 concert by the World Saxophone Quartet, to name just a few. We at the Walker extend our sympathies to Schatzlein's family, his life partner Emily Maltz, and our friends at Northrop.

Walker performing arts curator Philip Bither recalls his friend's humanity, humor, aesthetic edge, and astute management of the 4800-seat venue:

“Dale was interested in so many parts of our world. At our regular lunches, our discussions on, jazz and contemporary dance–art forms we both loved–would soon morph into talk of politics, travel, Minneapolis history, biking, film, architecture and the people who made up our shared world of live art. He was a partner who the Walker could always count on, and a friend who will be greatly missed.”

A Minneapolis native, Schatzlein will be remembered at a memorial service in the Walker's Skyline Room on Friday, September 8. The event is open to the public.