March 11, 2002

Vintage and Cutting-Edge Dance Films at MASS MoCA in April

(North Adams, Mass.) Dance on Film will play in MASS MoCA's B10 Theater on Thursday, April 11, at 8:00 P.M. as part of its Thursday documentary film series. Co-presented with Jacob's Pillow, this evening of film celebrates new and "vintage" short dance films, including classic works from Jacob's Pillow's rich history together with new dances made specifically for the camera.

The selections will include the Mechanized Labor section from the 1934 film Labor Symphony, a 3- minute excerpt from an early work by Ted Shawn's Men Dancers that explores various aspects of manual labor. This closing section of the dance is presented in honor of MASS MoCA's factory setting, depicting "mechanized labor" in an amusing light.

Also shown will be the 1936 Olympiad. Ted Shawn's Men Dancers choreographed this 8-minute suite of dances on sports themes including basketball, boxing and fencing. It was recorded outdoors at Jacob's Pillow on silent film in the 1930s, then re-mastered onto video in the mid-1980s, with composer Jess Meeker recreating his original music. Originally created during an Olympic year, it has been chosen to commemorate the 2002 Olympics.

Among the contemporary pieces will be the 2001 production Collaborations - Video Journal #1. This compilation of footage from the 2000 Festival, directed and edited by Carmella Vassor, focuses on the process of artistic teamwork. Included in the 30-minute film are performance excerpts and interviews with Alonzo King, Zakir Hussain, Liz Lerman, Robert Een, Beppie Blankert, Louis Andriessen, Annie-B Parson, Jane Shaw, Bill T. Jones and Fred Hersch.

There will also be a surprise short film which will relate to one of the artists scheduled for the 2002 Festival at Jacob's Pillow and which will be announced at a later date.

The next film in MASS MoCA's Thursday night documentary film series will be Paris is Burning on April 25, an unblinking behind-the-scenes look at the young men of Harlem who originated 'voguing' - and turned these stylized drag shows into a glittering expression of fierce personal pride.

Tickets for Dance on Film are $5. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available from the MASS MoCA Box Office at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams from 11 A.M. until 5 P.M. Wednesday through Monday. Reservations can also be made over the phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located on a 13- acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings. MASS MoCA focuses on the work of visual and performing artists charting new territory.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org