Thursday, September 13
Folk Dance from the Republic of Georgia
Georgian State
Dance Company
LAXSON AUDITORIUM | 7:30 p.m.$23 Premium | $18 Adult
$16 Senior | $14 Student/Child
"These fierce dancers have sparks literally flying from clashing swords, swooping in the air, whirling around on tip-toe . . . magnificent." — New York Post
A Georgian State dancer's performance is where gymnastics meets wrestling. The dancers, all hailing from the former Soviet Union's Republic of Georgia, are extremely physical, and perform dances which portray the culture and rituals of the Georgian people: weddings, prayer, fishing and courtship. With dramatic turns, spins, knee landings, and mock sword fights (with real swords), this is a performance of classic folk dance.
Though Georgia State is known for its rich, fertile land, sunny valleys, majestic forests and excellent wine, we're not talking about the South here, but rather the former Soviet Union's Republic of Georgia — and more specifically, its dancers.
Georgian folk dance is unlike any other national dance form. Georgia has developed both a highly individual culture and one that shows influences from the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, Persians, Armenians and Turks who have claimed or bordered it over the centuries.
Many troupes specializing in theatrical adaptations of folk dances are wildly energetic. But what differentiates the Georgian State Dance Company from other folk troupes is that they also emphasize elegance. Its dancers and musicians never fail to communicate a love of their homeland, the Republic of Georgia on the Black Sea.
The Georgian State dancers defy the muscular and skeletal structure of their bodies to do bone-crunching feats that might land an ordinary person in the hospital for even attempting such exercises.
This is not your typical dance performance; it is more like a gymnastics meet combined with a wrestling match. The dancers are extremely physical, becoming fierce, gymnastic warriors, closing in tight ranks or bounding in electrifying acrobatics, urging one another on with competitive feats.
No matter what colorful aspect of folk culture is being depicted, two things are usually dominant. With their great and individual feats of strength, agility, elevation and bold movements, the men — often in spirited competition with one another — rule the roost.
Repeatedly, the male dancers engage in likable "can you top this" solo performances. Stag leaps that would be equally at home in the Bolshoi repertoire highlight several selections. During the "mkhedruli," in which the dancers imitate cavalrymen on horseback, and again during the "shejibri," the rousing finale, there are dramatics moves in which dancers turn, spin and land on their knees.
Costume and mood changes continue throughout the evening, though generally the dances are upbeat and lively. During the "dances of the khevsuri," in which the men draw faux swords in a mock battle, real sparks fly from the swords' blades, usually bringing admiring "ahhs" from the audience. In one dance, the entire company links arms and high kicks with a coordination that has the entire company presenting a perfectly matched line. The Rockettes should take lessons.
The dances directly portray the culture and rituals of these people. Some of the subjects for these dances include weddings, prayer, fishing, courtship, hunting, regional fighting, agriculture, harvest and so on. Thus the history and culture of the Georgian region lives on in its dances.
If you enjoy this performance, you might enjoy:
Cinderella
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Kahekili Hawaiian Celebration
Keeping Dance Alive
Peru Negro
Romeo & Juliet — The Tchaikovsky Ballet & Orchestra
AXIS Dance Company