Last week, they played for free before a crowd of passersby and random on-lookers at a little-known venue in lower Manhattan and, for their trouble, got a rave revue in the New York Times; tomorrow, they open at the Veterans Memorial Ball Field in Ancram, then later do a follow-up performance indoors, at the Ancram Opera House. Is this a step in the right direction for In Formations?
Well, we certainly think so. The troupe of twenty dancers, who, in performance, function as one to create geometric patterns that break up and reform, is the company of Douglas Dunn & Dancers, recognized as one of America's leading experimental choreographers. Every year they perform at such venues such as Danspace Project, The Kitchen, P.S.122, Dance Theater Workshop in New York, and the Walker Arts Center, Portland State University, Arts Festival of Atlanta, and Bennington College. And now our own AOH, which was constructed in 1919 as the Ancram Grange Hall and transformed in 1972 by two ambitious opera lovers into an intimate theatre with lovely acoustics and a raked stage. Joan Arnold purchased the building in 2002 and began offering a unique set of programs in it: Alexander Technique workshops and private sessions, yoga classes, and theatrical events. In spring 2005, Jim Paul joined the staff as house manager, and Opera House programs were extended to include literary arts, such as readings and workshops. Veterans Memorial Ball Field, Ancram Saturday at 7 Admission: Free (Bring a lawn chair.) Ancram Opera HouseSaturday at 8 Admission: $15/advance purchase; $20/door
