Gin Dance Company in performance of “Burgandy.” From left: Hannah Church, Michelle Conroy, Julia Hellmich, and Elizabeth Watson. Photo by Ruth Judson/Courtesy Gin Dance Company
Reston choreographer Shu-Chen Cuff and her Gin Dance Company will perform at the 2018 Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival. Gin Dance Company (GDC) was selected to perform after a rigorous application process including “the artistic merit” of the company, noted Heidi S. Hawkins, director of programming for the Atlas Festival.
The Festival will bring together more than 100 performing arts groups offering intersections of an array of the performing arts.
“We are thrilled to be participating this this special event,” said Gary Cuff, Executive Director, Gin Dance Company. “We will present a full evening production titled ‘Phenomena.’” The performance will feature the world premiere of “L.E.O.,” choreographed by Gin Dance Company’s Artistic Director Shu-Chen Cuff. The dance was inspired by the work of composer and 20th century giant Leonard Bernstein for the centennial celebration of his birth.
‘L.E.O.’ is an acronym for:
Listen – listen deeply into your inner beliefs;
Enrich – enrich your soul, and
Optimize – make the best out of what you have.
“This work stands behind Leonard Bernstein’s philosophy and his dedication to music that we do our part to make the world a better place,” said artistic director Cuff.
The Atlas INTESECTIONS evening will also present dances “The Other Side,” and GDC signature pieces “Burgandy” and “Connect.Disconnect.” “We wanted to bring four meaningful and uplifting works to the audience.”
“The Other Side” aims to explore the audience’s imagination. “Most of us have been through the loss of a loved one. So many of us wonder when we leave this world, do we still linger on an earthly plane or do we go somewhere else,” asked Cuff. “Does the other world try to communicate with us?”
For an edgy, energetic contemporary ballet, there is “Connect.Disconnect.” “I explore how technology has increased the pace of our daily lives. We are on the go more than ever and so connected to everyone, everywhere, all the time. Are we becoming addicted to our technology? Can we unplug?”
With a mission of “enriching lives through dance,” Shu-Chen Cuff is a recipient of a Strauss Artist Grant from the Arts Council of Fairfax County. Gin Dance has performed throughout the D.C. area. Shu-Chen has also performed at dance festivals in Japan, Malaysia and Taiwan.
“I’m so very excited about ‘Phenomena.’ It is my hope that our dances will touch the audience in different ways and expand their imaginations,” said Shu-Chen Cuff.