ADF flies high
Co-directors say this year's festival was a hit with the fans
Orla Swift, Staff Writer
DURHAM - Charles L. Reinhart and Jodee Nimerichter had good reason to be tired and cranky as the American Dance Festival's ambitious 30th anniversary season in Durham wound toward its final night Saturday at Duke University.
But instead, the festival co-directors spoke energetically about what they deemed an unexpectedly popular season.
Almost 2,000 more tickets were sold than last year. Reviews were generally positive. And Reinhart says he heard fewer complaints from dissatisfied fans than in previous seasons.
Reinhart and Nimerichter shared some observations about the 6 1/2-week festival, as they put one anniversary behind them and looked forward to an even bigger one next year: the 75th since the festival began in New England.
Blast from the past
Audiences flipped for “Past/Forward,” a triple bill performed by ADF students, featuring two classic works – Helen Tamiris' “How Long Brethren?” (1937) and Laura Dean's “Sky Light” (1982) – and a new dance by avant-garde choreographer Rudy Perez. The performance replaced the International Choreographers Commissioning Program, in which visiting artists create new works using the students.
Nimerichter says ADF fans approached her in the community and called her for days afterward to say how much they liked the show.
“Past/Forward” was more than a high profile gig for the students, Reinhart noted. It was a history lesson, and they were hungry to know more.
“Old people love to talk about the era when they were young,” says Reinhart, who is 76. “And when a young person asks them that, the old person gets younger and very excited about it. I love talking about the '30s. And the whole context of 'How Long Brethren?' – I thought this was dynamite.”
So can we count on another “Past/Forward” next year? “I wouldn't bet against it,” Reinhart says.
Home-brewed
More choreographers spent extended periods at Duke than Reinhart can recall in his almost 40 years as director. Martha Clarke arrived several weeks before the festival began last month so she could work on her reimagined revival of her seminal 1984 dance/theater creation, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” the festival opener.
Japanese choreographers Eiko & Koma spent two weeks at Duke preparing to set one of their own dances, the 1983 duet “Grain,” with other dancers for the first time. They also created a new quartet with their “Grain” proteges, Cambodian teens Charian and Peace. The “Past/Forward” artists worked here, as did some of the Russian artists.
Biggest hurdle
The Argentine mini-festival, hands down, Nimerichter says. Weeks before the mini-festival within ADF, the Argentine government agency that had arranged free flights for 14 of the 19 artists told Nimerichter that a private airline had reneged – forcing ADF to scrounge for donations. Of the $12,000 needed, local donors gave $8,625, including a $6,500 grant from Durham-based SunTrust Foundation.
That wasn't all. Argentina had its first snowfall in 89 years this month (it's winter there), so some artists heading home were delayed in Miami and had to fork up for lodging. Others left luggage behind, including a duffel bag full of lighting equipment. Choreographer Susana Tambutti left her carry-on bag containing her original 1985 costume and props for “The Stab” at the airport gate, without identification. It has not been found. An airline also misplaced an Indonesian choreographer's luggage, including masks and costumes, delivering it weeks later, after his non-mainstage ADF performance. ADF arranged a second show.
“It's the year of the bags,” Nimerichter says. “The bags being found, the bags being left. Bags disappearing.”
Future prospects
No word yet on whether Clarke's enchanting “The Garden of Earthly Delights” will secure the New York run and international tour that Clarke and ADF hoped for. But Clarke has been discussing possibilities with producers, Reinhart says.
And the Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will get a needed boost, thanks to Eiko & Koma dancers Charian and Peace, who study there. At the Eiko & Koma performances, fans bought paintings by Reyum students, as well as Cambodian silk scarves and a DVD documentary about the school, raising more than $3,500 for the institute.
Liveliest post-show discussion
Eiko & Koma with Cambodian teens Charian and Peace. “They're just so human,” Nimerichter says. “And the audience questions were really intelligent and thoughtful. It was funny and insightful.”
Technical hindrances
Page Auditorium couldn't accommodate all of Paul Taylor Dance Company's scenery, Reinhart says. And the suspension equipment for Clarke's flying dancers blocked an emergency fire curtain, requiring firefighters to monitor the theater.
Opening act graduation
ADF's new time-slot for the Acts to Follow series proved wise. In previous years, the free showcases featuring North Carolina choreographers took place preceding the mainstage shows. This year, they were at 8 p.m., and with more performers, so the event could stand on its own as a full night at the theater. Nimerichter says attendance increased.
Top draws
At the 1,232-seat Page Auditorium, the highest attendance was for Pilobolus (sold out), followed by Mark Morris Dance Group.
At the 571-seat Reynolds Theater, it was Martha Clarke, followed by Shen Wei.
Driven by discounts
Dance fans responded enthusiastically to the 30th anniversary ticket discount – 30 percent off any four performances. Reinhart plans to create a similar discount next year. But we know what you're thinking – 75 percent off for the 75th! – and Reinhart is quick to note that that's one bargain he can't offer.