Garth Fagan Dance: Homecoming
If you get the chance, venture over to Rochester and check out Garth Fagan Dance this weekend. Last night’s soul-busting season premiere, held at Nazareth College, included lively numbers such as “Alumni Reunion Romp,” featuring dancers who were members back in the day, and classic pieces, like “Come…Celebrate.”
The nearly 2-hour show on Wednesday was accented with shoulder shimmies and full-bodied, bouncing back slides that are a GFD trademarks, but the real party began when former company members such as Valentina Alexander-Efejuku, Chris Morrison, Bill Ferguson, and Bit Knighton graced the stage. The GFD alumni have movement for days (or in some cases, for decades)!
Another of our favorites was a visual poem and kinetic montage/home going celebration for artist Geoffrey Holder. This colorful and deeply Caribbean number was enough to wipe away any winter melancholia. This is the kind of modern dance true fans deserve.
Rochester, you should be proud of your adopted son.