When Malpaso Dance comes to Richmond’s Modlin Center this week, it will provide a unique look into Cuban dance in a world where Cuba and the US have finally
When Malpaso Dance comes to Richmond’s Modlin Center this week, it will provide a unique look into Cuban dance in a world where Cuba and the US have finally started to reduce tensions and open their boarders.
Malpaso Dance, first created in 2012, is based in Havana, Cuba, and aims to bring Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st Century by collaborating with top international choreographers and nurturing new voices in Cuban choreography.
The company’s core artistic vision is led by resident repertory choreographer Osnel Delgado. Since it’s insception, Delgado, Dailedys Carrazana and Fernando Saéz, have lead the team of 10 dancers, including former members of Danza Contemporanea de Cuba.
Their repertory includes 24 hours and a dog, a work by Delgado, set to music by Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American composer Arturo O’Farrill (who wrote an original overture for the piece, of the same name), Porque Sigues (Why You Follow) by the American choreographer Ronald K. Brown, and other works.
“It is very hard to think in today’s world, even when I was a boy or a teenager, in total isolation,” Sáez told the LA times ahead of Malpaso’s performance at the 2015 Laguna Dance Festival earlier this month. Their set was highlighted because of the recent relationship developments between the two nations. “So communication happens. Information comes and goes. I think we have been in contact for many years in spite of the embargo and the isolation.”
Sáez and his dance troupes have been in and out of the US despite the embargo, but now, with limits lifted, they are able to freely and easily bring their unique flavor of dance to audiences around the US.
“As the theatre begins to vibrate with accumulated energy, you get the feeling that they could dance just about any genre with jaw-dropping style,” said Kathleen Smith with NOW Toronto about a Malpaso performance from June of this year.”[This] makes their unique expression of Cuban culture in all its profound and complex glory all the more special.”
Check out a video of their performance below, and head on over to the Modlin website here for tickets for 9/16-17 and more info.
