Post Gazette: "The Canadian city staging the Olympics will first host New York visitors performing a special feat: death-defying dance.
'It's a mixture of slam dancing, exquisite and amazing human flight, and wild action sport,' says Elizabeth Streb, the daredevil founder of the Brooklyn-based STREB Extreme Action Company. 'We feel we're close to the achievements of the Olympics.'"
3 comments:
This company sounds incredible. I had never heard of them til now but they seem to be something akin to Cirque's little sister. I think its great that their founder is called the Evil Knievel of dance because that is just awesome. Those types of stunts that leave the audience guessing and gasping, are just the sort of thing that make this kind of show so much fun. 'The point is not to show off, but to showcase the rhythms and forces of life itself -- and its constant vulnerability.' I love this line because it gives you a true sense as to what this company is and what the believe and stand for. I think it is also great that they are introducing this to kids a young age because it gives them something new and incredible to experience. When they begin to tour the US in the spring I hope to be able to catch them.
I agree with Sonia, that quote struck me as well. Along with that, I was surprised what the choreographer said," the last thing i want this to be is art." I looked up videos of the dancers, and it seems like a huge design, not just movement. It is humans interacting with various objects, bouncing off of walls and floor mats. It looks like some kind of installation art. However, reading about the responses to their work, and their intension, made me understand it a bit more. Its about testing the boundaries, having fun, appreciating life, being human.
I completely agree with the above statements. I find these kinds of works, along with similar acts like Cirque fascinating. I too looked up some videos and information on STREB, and something that I found interesting is a quote from one of the dancers about the founder and choreographer of the company. "She's trying to take away transition. So you move from move to move without the in between step it takes to get there." That quality is what makes the dances so interesting and captivating. I would really enjoy seeing one of these performances if possible.
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