Summer Dance Returns To Aspen

Dance Magazine, July, 1999 by Janine Gastineau

ASPEN, Colorado--Summer dance in Aspen is back by popular demand. DanceAspen's demise last summer left a large gap in the city's summer cultural scene (See Presstime News, June 1998, page 24). The city of Aspen, impressed by the successful efforts throughout the years by Aspen Ballet Company, the resident dance company, invited artistic directors Jean-Philippe Malaty and Tom Mossbrucker to create a new summer festival. After months of planning, with funding from the city of Aspen, Les Dames d'Aspen, and local balletomane and philanthropist Nancy Magoon, the first annual Aspen Dance Festival was founded.

"It was an honor to be asked to create this festival," says Malaty. "It also confirmed the good job we were doing year-round with our company and school. And it's a privilege to be able to save twenty-nine years of dance festival history in Aspen."

For three weeks in July and August, Aspen Ballet Company and dance artists from across the United States will perform. The season kicks off on Tuesday, July 20, with special performances of A Children's Rain Forest Odyssey, the signature work of Denver-based choreographer David Taylor, danced by ABC. The first weekend brings performances by Miami City Ballet. Weekend two, July 31 and August 1, ABC will share the stage with guest stars from New York City Ballet and Netherlands Dance Theater. ABC will dance Septime Webre's Fluctuating Hemlines and Dwight Rhoden's Black + White, premiere its new Trey McIntyre work, Like a Samba, and perform Balanchine's Valse-Fantaisie with NYCB guest artists Alexandra Ansanelli and Tom Gold. The festival closes with three performances by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. All performances take place at the Aspen District Theatre. In addition, the festival will present five days of flamenco music and dance, cabaret-style, at the Aspen Club Lodge.