The seasons in the desert are bright. Yes, that means the return of traffic jams and crowded restaurants, but it also means something exciting: art events.
Most Coachella Valley performing and visual arts organizations kick off their 2022-2023 season this month, and for one local group, that means the fall leg of its most popular event: the Palm Springs International Dance Festival.
The Michael Nickerson-Rossi Dance held its spring annual festival in March, but this week dance fans are gearing up for a whole host of new performances, workshops and other dance-themed events.
We caught up with Founding Art Director Michael Nickerson-Rossi to talk about this week’s holiday events (and some bonus events on the first weekend of November).
The Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company will bring to life original compositions by Palm Springs artist Richard Gibbons.
It all started when Gibbons shared with Nickerson-Rossi a triptych, a piece of art made up of three or three panels. The choreographer/director was moved by the painting and was especially inspired by the white frame or doorway that helps depict the three male figures in the work at different stages of their lives.
“Let me put an end to you,” Nickerson-Rossi said. “So he’s in his 70s [Gibbons]. So think about the world 70 years ago, very, very different, especially growing up as a young adult and also being gay and being arrested for being gay – that’s illegal… such depth in terms of how his paintings touch me on such a personal level.”
Due to the theme of the piece, Nixon-Rossi decided to recruit only male dancers for the first time in the company’s nearly 10-year history. He also asked Gibbons to speak to the artist before the performance to provide context.
Viewers will notice that in addition to the new stage lighting, Nixon-Rossi’s Dancing House will feature several sets for the show.
“They are different shapes. So one long one, which means when you first approach the outside world and you are vulnerable. Then the second one is in the center of the scene, it’s more of a shortened doorway because it means your point of view has changed.” Nickerson-Rossi said. “Then the last path or doorway is the dancer; now all three are together and they are very close to the audience. So the path is very narrow, which makes the focus clearer… as a prop for this kind of lifestyle society.”
Nickerson-Rossi knows a thing or two about community participation. Between opening a dance studio and founding a troupe at the International Dance Festival, he put on shows for various audiences at locations such as Gardens in Sunnylands and Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate.
In this workshop, dance college students will learn about his community building and partnership skills because, in his words, “you need to get these young guys on their feet.”
Nickerson-Rossi will share her story of her partnership with large local organizations such as Modernism Week and explain why this collaboration is a symbiotic relationship.
“For example, this is our second year at the Frank Sinatra estate and it has been very, very rewarding for both organizations because modernism (Chow) is something very unique,” he said. “It is unusual for a concert dance to be in a different space; yet (it’s) a fabulous house that a celebrity once had, so it’s incredible. But you bridge the marriage between business and art/dance, which is a great concept.”
This high school masterclass will be led by Broadway star and Evita choreographer Larry Fuller and composer, pianist and former stage director Michael Roberts.
Film, dance and theater photographer Michael Childers recently connected Nixon-Rossi with Fuller, and since then Fuller has appeared in all the company’s productions.
“He’s so cute,” Nickerson-Rossi said. “I approached him and asked if we could cooperate in the field of education. So we have 30 students… who will study Evita’s original choreography.”
Come watch young aspiring dance artists from various high schools, colleges and dance studios (including Nickerson Rossi’s Palm Springs Dance Academy) perform alongside other students from around the world. This exhibition will showcase a variety of dance genres including contemporary, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and more.
“Each agency can share their work,” Nickerson-Rossi said. “This year we have Idyllwild Arts. We’ve been working hard with them so we’re excited to have them come and we have Santa Barbara City College, Irvine Valley College and Palm Desert High School.”
Interested in an immersive hip hop experience? That’s what attendees will get on Origins of Hip Hop, an educational and interactive show led by the Los Angeles-based Versa-Style Dance Company.
“When I was in college, hip hop was kind of on point in terms of recognition. Now it’s in degree programs and it’s a cultural component that matches what you would expect from a top division program (dance). ,” Nickerson-Rosey talks about the evolution of this style.
Founded in 2005 by Los Angeles natives and art directors Jackie Lopez and Lee Fode, Versa-Style “promotes, empowers, and celebrates the artistry of hip-hop and hip-hop culture,” according to its website. Playing at the Palm Springs International Dance Festival in the spring of 2022, the group is known for their high-energy performances and educational programs (usually in Southern California schools).
“Jackie has written (hip-hop) classes for USC and UCLA, so in addition to running this incredible, amazing company, she runs both programs,” Nickerson-Rossi said. “I love everything about them, which is why I return them every year.”
A variety of dance genres will be featured tonight to celebrate male choreographers and dancers from all over the world.
Performances will include a dance production by California State University dance instructor Alvin Rangel, a duet choreography by Idyllwild School of the Arts dance instructor High Cohen, and a performance by South Carolina’s Columbian City Ballet, the first ever to take part. classical ballet festival) dance.
“That’s what I always teach in college: you have to understand your community and your audience,” Nickerson-Rossi said. “So we made a purely male show.”
For more information on the Fall Series of Palm Springs International Dance Festivals, visit www.nickersonrossidance.com.
Post time: Nov-09-2022