Aahvaan: Invoking the Cities
Commissioned for the grand opening of the Ordway Center Concert Hall, Aahvaan: Invoking the Cities is structured uniquely in two major acts. Supported by layers of recorded and live music, this epic, full-length dance theater piece weaves together images inspired by the rich history of indigenous communities on this land, the diversity of communities who now call the Twin Cities home, our rich legacy of water, the vicissitudes of urban life, and artistic innovation.
REVIEWS:
“Life is not always neat and comfortable. Sometimes it’s painful and tragic. Sometimes it’s hard to watch. But it’s important that we do watch; it’s important that we recognize the illness in the world and attempt to cure it.…Some dances celebrated life, community, togetherness. Some mimicked water (the lifeblood of our cities). The bright colors and gorgeous movements left a kind of lingering hope.” – The Color of the Twin Cities – Rock the Ordway, March 12, 2015, by Kate Liebfried
“The evening was both celebratory and subversive, with performances taking place inside the theater and around the lobby.…it was a way to shake up the idea of performance, allowing audiences to experience dance by participating in it.” – ‘Aahvaan’ helps open Ordway dance hall, March 12, 2015, by Sheila Regan, Star Tribune
World Premiere: March 11, 2015, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Concert Hall, Saint Paul MN
Running Time: 2 hours, in two acts
Aahvaan is conceived and created by choreographer Ananya Chatterjea with collaborating director, behavioral and social practice artist Marcus Young, and the dancers of the company. Recorded scores are composed and arranged by Greg Schutte in collaboration with Mankwe Ndosi, Laurie Carlos, Pooja Goswami Pavan, Dorene Waubanewquay Day, and Michelle Kinney.
Scenography: Anne Henly with Annie Katsura Rollins; Lela Pierce
Costume Design: Annie Katsura Rollins with Annie Cady
Lighting Design: Kevin A. Jones
Video Design: Darren Johnson
Photographic Images: Wing Young Huie
Ananya Dance Theatre Dancers: Ananya Chatterjea, Chitra Vairavan, Renée Copeland, Lela Pierce, Hui Niu Wilcox, Brittany Radke, Alexandra Eady, Katie Haynes, Kealoha Ferreira, Magnolia Yang Sao Yia, Leila Awadallah, Prakshi Malik, James Galtney.
Production Management: Josina Manu Maltzman; assistance: Emma Marlar
ACT 1:
Act 1 begins when audience members walk into the Ordway and are invited to participate in five simultaneous performance installations inspired by histories, stories, and energies of communities in the Twin Cities and Minnesota.
EMPRESS OF WHIMSY AND FORTUNES
Hui Niu Wilcox
SCORE: Greg Schutte
LIFE FORCE
Camille Horstmann, Lydia Jones, Nakita Kirchner, Suzette Gilreath, Aemoni Dancy, Fiona Steen, Totianna Howard (young dancers from Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists) with Brittany Radke
SCORE: Greg Schutte
WISHING WELL
Timothy Herian with Lynn Wilcox
SCORE: Douglas Ewart
LONGEST DAY’S JOURNEY
Renée Copeland, Katie Haynes, Magnolia Yang Sao Yia, Prakshi Malik, Lela Pierce
SCORE: Mankwe Ndosi and Greg Schutte
VEINS
Chitra Vairavan, Alexandra Eady, Kealoha Ferreira, Leila Awadallah, James Galtney
SCORE: Michelle Kinney and Andrea Reynolds
THE AWAKENING
Led by Mankwe Ndosi and Tiyo Siyolo
ACT 2:
INVOCATION
Company with Dorene Waubanewquay Day
OUR BODIES HOLD STRUGGLE
This heart of fire: Company
Who was here? Renée Copeland with Lela Pierce, Alexandra Eady, Katie Haynes, Magnolia Yang Sao Yia, and Prakshi Malik
Those who journeyed: Ananya Chatterjea, Chitra Vairavan, Hui Wilcox, Kealoha Ferreira, and Leila Awadallah
WHAT LIES BELOW OUR FEET
Urbanity: Company
Alienation: Chitra Vairavan
Rising tide: Company
FINDING FLOW
Intersections: Ananya Chatterjea with Mankwe Ndosi, Pooja Goswami Pavan, Greg Schutte, and Douglas Ewart
Spring rain: Chitra Vairavan and Renée Copeland
This gift of flow: Company