Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) — one of the best contemporary ensembles in the United States — celebrated their 35th anniversary in 2012 with the magical One Thousand Pieces by resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo. Inspired by Marc Chagall’s “America Windows” —  six monumental panels of glowing blue stained-glass at the Art Institute of Chicago — Cerrudo's visually stunning spectacle for 24 dancers (with music by Philip Glass) is passionate and exhilarating, with stunning choreography, design, and execution. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performs One Thousand Pieces in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Saturday November 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.  

ABOUT ONE THOUSAND PIECES

Marc Chagall’s “America Windows” — an enormous stained-glass mural of radiant sapphire blue with a swirling, windswept, symbol-strewn surface — is one of the most beloved treasures at the Art Institute of Chicago. Created especially for the Art Institute, the work commemorates the American Bicentennial in 1976. The glowing glass celebrates the country as a place of cultural and religious freedom, detailing the arts of music, painting, literature, theatre, and dance.

One Thousand Pieces is an elegant interplay of colour, light, and movement, a multifaceted offering of mood and emotion. It’s a luminous work, exceedingly graceful, evoking the work of Chagall, whose human figures seem to float in a dreamy space that defies gravity. One Thousand Pieces is a fast-moving onslaught of silky, gorgeous, classically pure dance, a fluid and brilliant testament to what modern dance can do — as well as a tribute to the contribution to dance made by iconic composer Philip Glass. Every step, arch, and gesture is precise and sharp as glass cutting through paper. These dancers don’t flutter — they soundlessly pound. They’re so fluid, torquelike, and shape-shifting that they seem to skim the surface of the stage. Whether reflected in mirrors or gliding through water with ecstatic longing, the company is weightless yet completely grounded. No muscle is left unengaged or inexpressive, no spectator unchanged by the vision.

ABOUT HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is an original force in contemporary dance, performing year-round and touring nation-wide and internationally. Now in its 36th year, the main company has appeared in celebrated dance venues in 44 states and 19 countries. Hubbard Street continues to be an innovative force, supporting its creative talent while presenting repertoire by major international artists. The dancers of HSDC are known for unparalleled versatility and virtuosity, embodying a vast array of techniques and forms, as well as an understanding of abstract artistry and the emotional nuances of movement.

 

ONE THOUSAND PIECES (2012)
CHOREOGRAPHY Alejandro Cerrudo
MUSIC Philip Glass
LIGHTING DESIGN Michael Korsch
SET and COSTUME DESIGN Thomas Mika
ASSISTANTS TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER Terence Marling, Taryn Kaschock Russell
DURATION 90 minutes including one intermission
 

NAC Dance presents a public ballet class with Lucas Crandell, Ballet Master of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Based on Hubbard Street artists’ daily practice before rehearsals and performances, these classes utilize the latest in contemporary dance pedagogy, beginning at the barre and proceeding to centre work and traveling exercises. For intermediate / advanced-level Ballet students and dancers (aged 14 and up).

• Saturday, November 23, 2013 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 
• Rehearsal Hall B, NAC, 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa (Enter by Stage Door)
• COST: $25 payable in cash on site

As space is limited, you MUST REGISTER in advance with Kirsten Andersen, Dance Outreach Coordinator: kirsten.andersen@nac-cna.ca

Thank you to our media partner Radio Canada for their support.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago perform One Thousand Pieces in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Saturday November 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets for the matinee are $40, $52, $64 and $78 for adults and $21.50, $27.50, $33.50 and $40.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Tickets for the evening performance are $40, $56, $71 and $81 for adults and $21.50, $29.50, $37 and $42 for students.

Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices; to reserve your seats, call 613 947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

Tickets are available for purchase:

• In person at the NAC Box Office
• At all Ticketmaster outlets
• By telephone from Ticketmaster, 1-888-991-2787 (ARTS)
• Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca) 
• A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster