NYC Dance Happenings- Rafael Amargo Dance Company

You Love the Drama
By: Ashley L. Mathus

Tempted to stomp your feet towards love triangle fiascos, cliques, or instigating bla-bla-wha…but can’t? Too mature, we know. Flamenco infused, Rafael Amargo Dance Company will dazzle till you drool in the American premiere of Tiempo Muerto. Coming to America just after the Madrid premiere, Rafael Amargo is brewing, squeezing, and exploiting passion with arousing, explosive choreography. Translating to “Dead Time”, the company will probably stall drama-dimensions as gallant pulses, intensity, and clarity entrances you. Flamenco, a Spanish historical and traditional form of music and dance is often characterized by intricate footwork and a bit of, ahem, flare. Amargo’s confidence disperses through boundaries of costumes and space, echoing beyond his heels and toes, telling the floor a story of lust.

Complex rhythms intermixed with an exciting point of view enables Rafael Amargo to be one of the most anticipated choreographers of the 2008 season. Amargo, “critically acclaimed for bringing flamenco into the 21st century”, will not disappoint with late September performances at Town Hall, located at 123 West 43rd Street. Jesús Rafael García Hernández created the dance company in 1997, with the desire and ambition to experiment in new techniques, taking risks with the already dramatic genre. Clever averted eyes, charismatic hand positioning, and knowing smirks instigates the sexiness of this traditional practice. Arms graceful as precious royalty swoosh rapidly down and back up again, dancing like eagles’ wings. As Hernández’s locks whip back and forth, he alters dynamics between musician and performer, tempting the eye to visit both artistic forms simultaneously. He encourages audience participation, similar to a rock star initiating ‘the clap’, acknowledging observation. Barricading forth walls and segregating space is not an option; Hernández enables both down and upstage to be equal, rather than treat the two like separate bubbles.

Only in New York for two days, spare some dough, and parallel tension and passion. Rafael Amargo Dance Company is presenting September 20th at 8 pm and September 21st at 3 pm. Please visit the-townhall-nyc.org for more information. If not, you might have to fly to Europe.