VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Editor’s note: Release updated to reflect change in scheduled performance.

Due to a recent knee injury, Israel Galván is unable to perform in the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Dance and Choreography’s presentation of “TOROBAKA/FLASH: Cultural Intimacy in Motion” this month, but a special performance designed for the occasion will replace the planned event. He plans to join the artists’ discussion on Feb. 23 via Skype.

The VCU School of the Arts project, a national conversation originating at the intersection of four artists whose work explodes conventional notions of cross-cultural dialogue, brings together two dance collaborations and an in-depth discussion with the artists who made them.

TOROBAKA unites classical Indian Kathak with Spanish Flamenco in a duet performed to live music by Akram Khan and Galván. Instead of performing the TOROBAKA, Khan will present a special performance for the Richmond public, TORO. The unique performance will feature Khan with four remarkable musicians, all masters of their own art: David Azura’s fine countertenor; Christine Leboutte’s earthy contralto; Bobote, the accomplished palmero who is equally a wizard at beating flamenco rhythm with his feet; and the multitalented Indian percussionist B.C. Manjunath unleashing the cadences of his mridanga drum.

Together, they will re-imagine a captivating dialogue between Indian and Spanish classical rhythms, taking inspiration from what Khan has always termed a “concert” rather than a “dance performance.” Creating an unstoppable stream of sounds and movements, the charismatic quintet will keep intact the profound dynamics of the original collaboration, exploring even further their taste for improvisation and playfulness.

TORO takes place Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. at the Carpenter Theater, Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St.

FLASH, a conversation in Hip Hop and Butoh, created and performed by Rennie Harris and Michael Sakamoto, takes place Sunday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St.

An artists’ panel discussion on cross-cultural collaboration and the creative process takes place Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grace Street Theater, 934 W. Grace St. In this panel discussion at VCU’s Grace Street Theater, Galván, Harris, Khan and Sakamoto will come together for the first time to discuss their work, process and challenges. The discussion is open to the public and will be live-streamed online.

Cultural Intimacy in Motion is presented in partnership with the Modlin Center for the Arts. For tickets, visit modlin.richmond.edu/events/modlin-arts-presents/cultural-intimacy-in-motion.html.