Tucson's NEW ARTiculations Dance Theatre usually performs in the big Proscenium Theatre at Pima Community College West, but the adventurous modern troupe decided to weather the hard economic times by dancing in smaller spaces this season.
"We were thinking small shows" in storefronts or on street corners, says artistic director Katie Rutterer. "We'd have to adapt."
The troupe will dance this Friday and Saturday night in a regular venue. Nanette Robinson, the ZUZI! artistic director, has offered the ZUZI! Theater to local modern troupes at a discount. So far, NEW ART is the only one to take her up on the offer.
"We're hoping people are hungry for dance," Rutterer says.
The concert, appropriately named Adaptations, offers seven full dances and a series of movement vignettes choreographed by Kimi Eisele; works from a couple of guest choreographers; some live drumming; a guest appearance by Pistor Middle School dancers; and even a dance on a bicycle.
Rutterer's "Table for One," a big group piece, introduces four new company members: Erika Farkvam, a UA dance grad; Lisa-Marie McFarlane, who has worked with Thom Lewis Dance; Megan Shaffer, who just moved from California; and Sukie Keita, formerly of O-T-O.
Amanda Morse, a former company member who has moved to Portland, Ore., returns to dance a solo in the middle of the piece. Longtime NEW ART dancers Corinne Hobson, Tammy Rosen and Eisele round out the cast.
Set to instrumental music by Sufjan Stevens, "It's about new friendships," Rutterer says. Rutterer also contributes "Duet," a solo danced twice in succession, first by Rutterer and then by Renee Blakeley.
Guest choreographer Yarrow King, of Batucaxé, the local Brazilian drumming and dance ensemble, "taught us samba, African and Brazilian, and we modified it in a modern-dance way. It's really fun." Batucaxé musicians play live.
