MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance and composer Nicholas Young push the boundaries of music and movement-making in their new collaboration “ETM: Double Down,” coming to the Museum of Contemporary Art stage November 4, 5 and 6 as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival and co-presented by the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. Both Dorrance and Young are “STOMP” alum—percussive dancers who make innovative movement to be both seen and heard. For “ETM” (the initials stand for electronic tap music), Young transforms the entire stage floor into an instrument of his own design, wired to be played by the feet of eight dancers like electronic drum pads. A musical trio—vocalist, bassist and pianist—round out the sound produced by eight tappers and one b-girl, Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie, who performs a solo that blends breaking, lofting and contemporary dance. The total effect is a visual and auditory layering, plus a looping and remixing, that is a truly fresh take on tap and the possibilities of digital music in live performance. As of now, Saturday and Sunday performances are sold out, but tickets are still available for the Friday night gala performance, at which CHRP will present Dorrance and Young with the JUBA! Award for Extraordinary Contributions in the Field.
Dorrance Dance at the MCA Stage, 220 East Chicago, (312)397-4010. Saturday, November 5 at 3pm and 7:30pm and Sunday, November 6 at 3pm. $30. November 4 gala tickets are $150. mcachicago.org, chicagotap.org.
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