Choreographer brings diversity of dance to Wadsworth tonight
By Lisa Marie Weyh
Daniel Ezralow was pre-med at UC Berkeley… until he took a
beginners’ modern dance class.
The summer after his sophomore year in college he left for New
York to explore his new interest.
He never came back.
The inspired dancer, performing at Wadsworth tonight, was
quickly awarded scholarships to study with the Joffrey Ballet and
with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
"I never had to ask myself why I began to like dance," says
Ezralow. "I just did … if you like pasta, you don’t ask yourself
why, you just know that you like it."
The choreographer will present a concert like no other. Ezralow
will bring together a group of world renowned choreographers in a
presentation of solos and duets.
"I invited these artists to show their work in a concert …
they did not audition," says Ezralow. "This performance is very
special, one will never see this many great artists on stage
together."
The 38-year-old Los Angeles native has danced with many
companies including Lar Lubovitch and Paul Taylor.
However, the first dance company he joined was 5×2 Plus, a
modern group where the performer really got a chance to explore
what dance meant to him.
"It was very clear that I was excited about dance," says
Ezralow. "I learned that I had a physical capability that would
allow me room for discovery."
After two years dancing with 5×2 Plus, Ezralow decided to move
on and try something new. He then spent the next three-and-a-half
years as a dancer in the Paul Taylor Modern Dance Company.
As if this was not enough, in the spring of 1983, Ezralow left
Paul Taylor to create his own dance group.
"I truly wanted to explore the creation of a large, new
company," says Ezralow.
As a result, Ezralow’s curiosity led to the development of
Momix, a company in which he was among the founding members.
After four years of performing with Momix, the choreographer was
still not satisfied and became co-founder and co-director of
"ISO."
"ISO is a dance company for individuals with very creative
minds," says Ezralow. "It is a company open to explorative movement
styles."
The evening of dance produced by Ezralow will consist of 14
pieces all choreographed by nine featured choreographers.
"This is not an evening of me presenting my choreography, I am
presenting dance," says the dancer.
An important factor for Ezralow in developing this concert was
the diversity of dance. He wants to offer the viewer a wide variety
of movement styles.
"Sometimes we classify dance and that is wrong, people have to
realize that anything can be dance," says Ezralow. "It is important
that people understand that dance is not classifiable."
Among the featured choreographers, Ann Carlson will present
"Visit Woman Move Story Cat Cat Cat," a piece which is part of the
Animals Series, commissioned by the New York Foundation for the
Arts. The piece will include music by Ludwig Von Beethoven and
original lighting by Tony Giovanetti.
German choreographer Frey Faust will present "Quest," a work of
dance with music by "Kodo." Faust has worked with such modern dance
pioneers as Merce Cunningham, Meredith Monk and David Parsons. The
choreographer began his dance career as a street performer and is
now co-founder of FAFU Dance Company and is currently director of
Ardent Body Communications Dance Company.
"Those who come to the concert will see a collection of people
who will never be seen again in L.A.," says Ezralow. "I want people
to come so they can realize that dance is everything, dance is
life."
DANCE: Daniel Ezralow & … An evening of solos and duets.
Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13, 8 p.m. at the Wadsworth
Theater. TIX: $30, $27, $11 for students with ID. For ticket info
call (310) 825-2101.