ABOUT THE DANCES

Choreographer Tristan Koepke’s new work, Bodies|Cities, is a dense movement tapestry: a complex and interactive network that brings together seemingly disparate and unique dancers, exploring how form and beauty can develop out of chance, collaboration, and spontaneity. Borrowing its name from the writing of philosopher Elizabeth Grosz, the work considers how individual actions have large impacts, and how we relate to ever-changing and impermanent environments. The dancers move in rolling waves through repeated gestures and variations, and show relationships and communities that develop, crumble apart, and inevitably reassemble.

Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil’s latest piece draws inspiration from childhood games and memories, revealing the hidden joy and splendor in simplicity. Through repetitive movements, both the performer and the viewer find a meditative experience amid creative frenzy, discovering calmness in swift motion and stillness. The dancers explore internal versus external awareness, uncovering the intricate beauty within the seemingly straightforward. Original music by Daniel Manoiu underscores this uplifting piece with repetitive rhythms demonstrating that minimalism can hold profound complexity and the presumably insignificant can be meaningful.

Choreographer Momar Ndiaye’s piece explores one of the most significant African concepts that define humanism and community building from the Zulu people in South African region: “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” meaning “a person is a person through other persons.” In collaboration with the dancers, this piece explores and stages interhuman connectivity, and developments of expendable ecosystems that reimagine shifts and changes we all continually go through. From gestures, pedestrian activities, and socio-cultural codes attached to our identities, the dancers have collaboratively built movement vocabularies that reflect a balanced intercultural space.

MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHERS

Jennifer Bassage Bonfil, Artistic Director, is a Southern California-based modern dancer, dance maker, and dance educator. She earned her BFA from Chapman University and her MA in Dance Education through the University of Northern Colorado. As a founding company member of Orange County’s critically acclaimed Backhausdance, Jennifer performed with the company for 13 years. Jennifer is an adjunct professor and lecturer who has taught at Chapman University, California State University Long Beach, and Santa Ana Community College. In 2022, Chapman University awarded Jennifer the Distinguished Alumni Award, acknowledging her accomplishments with The Wooden Floor where she began teaching in 2006.

Tristan Koepke is a dancer, educator, and choreographer. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Bates College, and is Associate Director of the Young Dancers Intensive at the Bates Dance Festival. He has performed in contemporary dance works by Chris Schlichting, Vanessa Anspaugh, luciana achugar, Cally Spooner, Doug Varone, Kendra Portier, and was a member of Zenon Dance Company from 2011-2019. His work has been presented by SPACE Gallery, Point Dance Ensemble, Bryant Lake Bowl, Bates College, Portland Youth Dance, and The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. He holds an MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Momar Ndiaye is a dance artist, videographer, activist, and actor of social-cultural development from Senegal with thirty years of experience—making, performing, teaching, collaborating, and developing initiatives for a sustainable creative industry in West-Africa through his company, Cadanses. He has an established international profile as a choreographer and has danced in the international Company Premier Temp, as well as with other significant choreographers. Momar joined the department of Dance at the Ohio State University in 2020 as Assistant professor and has served as faculty for seven consecutive years at the highly acclaimed American Dance Festival, a leading summer intensive training center for contemporary dance, teaching in their Pre-Professional and Professional programs, and co-directing their International Choreographers in Residence program.

PARKING: 

The nearest parking structure is at the corner of Campus and West Peltason, and is right next to the theater.

Parking: Regular price is $13; IBT discounted pricing is $10. Upon entry, please tell the kiosk attendant that you are an Irvine Barclay Theatre patron.
Please note that the parking structure is operated by UCI and not by Irvine Barclay Theatre.

UCI Parking’s online pay-in-advance system is available. Click here to purchase parking in advance

We do not recommend parking in the shopping center across from the theater, as spaces are limited, and non-customer vehicles are subject to towing.

ACCESSIBILITY (can be found here)

LOCAL EATERIES (can be found here)

Arts Night Out

FREE bonus for Friday patrons!
Friday, May 30 at 6:45pm

Make it an arts night out! Explore the work in Onward with the cast and choreographers Tristan Koepke and Momar Ndiaye at a free pre-concert chat moderated by Jennifer Bassage Bonfil, The Wooden Floor’s Artistic Director.

Presented by:

Thank you to our
41st Annual Concert Underwriters!   

HONORARY UNDERWRITER
The Beall Family Foundation

ASSOCIATE UNDERWRITER
Helen Sperry Lea Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez

CONCERT UNDERWRITER
Bobbi Cox
Davis/Dauray Family Fund
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund
Cath MacIver & Jim Slaughter
Marilyn McIntyre
Robyn and Dave Stauffer

CONCERT PARTNER
Michelle & Timothy Dean
Carole & Rich Lee

CONCERT SUPPORTER
Hydraflow – Ayloush Family
MVS Foundation

*As of 03/7/2022