text size

Diverse Space Dance Theatre Stages HUNGER, Hurt at VORTEX Theatre

Updated: Tuesday, April 17 2012, 02:44 PM CDT
By Rob Faubion, AustinOnStage.com
 
Violet Crown’s Diverse Space Youth Dance Theatre was been invited to perform at The Irish Youth Dance Festival in Dublin is summer, and the troupe will preview that performance on April 21 and 22 on the VORTEX Theatre's outdoor stage. 

The outdoor choreographic and video collaboration, HUNGER and Hurt (The Gifts of Earth), explores the effects of our actions on nature and each other.

The piece was created in celebration of the United Nation's World Water Day on March 22.
This year's theme was "The World Is Thirsty Because We Are Hungry," and Mariam Ribon - Director of Dublin Youth Dance Company - visited Austin to collaborate with Toni Bravo, Director of Diverse Space Youth Dance Theatre, to create the dance piece.  The performance features original music by Chris Gebhard and Mike Soliz, photography by Phillip Paterson and videography by Patrick Taylor.

Originally from Spain, Ribon moved to Dublin in late 1995, where she has been the Artistic Director of the Dublin Youth Dance Company and the Irish Youth Dance Festival since 2003.  As a professional dancer, she has worked with New Balance Dance Co., Daghdha Dance Co., MaNDaNCe, Cois Céim, Opera Ireland, Irish Modern Dance Theatre and Shakram Dance Company.
 
Named "Best Choreographer" by the Austin Chronicle for three consecutive years, Bravo taught and performed throughout the world before settling in Austin.  She is known for her innovative exploration of many types of movement disciplines. In addition to directing Diverse Space Youth Dance Theatre, she also directs Ballet Austin's Dance in Education “Leaps and No Bounds” program and conducts an award-winning program at St Michel's Academy.

In May 2011, Bravo founded Diverse Space Youth Dance Theatre, whose members have studied with Bravo since early childhood.  The troupe is "committed to diversity of cultural influences, performance techniques and performance spaces, and determined to promote social responsibility and connectedness in the human experience."

The performances of HUNGER and Hurt will begin at 6 p.m. both nights.  Admission is a suggested donation of $5 to $25.

The VORTEX Theater is located at 2307 Manor Rd..  For more information, visit DiverseSpaceDance.com.

(Photo courtesy DSYDT)
Diverse Space Dance Theatre Stages HUNGER, Hurt at VORTEX Theatre