Contemporary arts center OZ Arts Nashville today announced its presentation of Malpaso Dance Company, an acclaimed contemporary dance group based in Havana, Cuba, on April 29 and 30 in its expansive warehouse.
Known for its commitment to bringing Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st century, the relatively young ensemble, established in 2012, has become a powerhouse on the international stage with its fresh talent and innovative ballet choreography.
Emphasizing a collaborative creative process, Malpaso is committed to working with top choreographers while also nurturing new voices in Cuban choreography. Now an Associate Company of New York’s famed Joyce Theater Productions, Malpaso — led by Co-Artistic Director and Co-Founder Osnel Delgado — has commissioned original works from a number of prominent North American choreographers, making it one of the most sought-after Cuban dance companies.
“We are delighted that OZ Arts is one of the first organizations in the region to spotlight Malpaso Dance Company and their stunning dancers,” said Mark Murphy, OZ Arts Executive & Artistic Director. “Together, the four pieces in this program offer us insight into the choreographic and theatrical worlds of national and international dance, and I’m confident the audience will be blown away by the magic this dynamic company brings to the stage.”
The first performance in the program is of Lullaby for Insomnia, a new solo piece choreographed by Co-Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Malpaso Daileidys Carrazana. The talented solo artist is a graduate of the National Ballet School and previous member of Danza Contemporanea de Cuba from 2003 to 2011 before founding Malpaso with Delgado. Carrazana has worked with choreographers such as Jan Linkens, Samir Akika, Pedro Ruiz and Isidro Rolando, and found inspiration for the piece from iconic Cuban singer-pianist Bola de Nieve.
The second performance of the evening, woman with water, is choreographed by the renowned Mats Ek of Sweden and brings expressionist movements to the stage through a story told by a captivating duet, a glass of water and a green table. The commissioned piece was originally performed for the Royal Swedish Ballet and falls within Ek’s distinctive style of imaginative interpretations of storylines.
The final two pieces of the program, titled Elemental and Stillness in Bloom, are performed as a group by the 11 Malpaso members. Elemental by Robyn Mineko Williams, premiered in Chicago in 2019 and consists of a 26-minute kaleidoscopic dance infused with Cuban influences and features music from Tim Rutili, Ernesto Lecuona and Arvo Part, among others. Williams has been commissioned by Pacific Northwest Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet and more and has had her work presented at venues across the country, including the Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow, American Dance Festival and MCA Chicago.
In addition to performances at OZ Arts, Malpaso Dance Company will host a workshop event for seasoned dancers on Saturday, April 30th at 11 a.m. at TMProductions. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing info@ozartsnashville.org or registering on the website.
Tickets for Malpaso Dance begin at $30 and are on sale now at the following link. OZ Arts is invested in the health of its guests, artists and the overall community. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to the event is required for guests 12+ to attend this event.
This performance is made possible with generous support from donors and grants, including funding from the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and the Tennessee Arts Commission, and media sponsorship by the Nashville Scene. To learn more about upcoming performances at OZ, please visit www.ozartsnashville.org.
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