Sandra Kraisirideja, Weekend
GLENDALE -- Choreographer Donna Sternberg knows modern dance is hard
to understand.
"Most people know nothing about modern dance, how it evolves from
inspiration to a finished piece," she said. "I want to demystify the
choreography process."
By explaining how modern dance is created, Sternberg, who lives in
Santa Monica, said she hopes people will want to see more.
She will perform with her company of dancers in the 2002 Dance Series
at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, at the Brand Library Galleries. This is the
first of three free dance performances sponsored by the Associates of
Brand Library.
The program, "Speaking With Our Bodies," illustrates how dancers
communicate. It delves into the creative process of choreography, she
said, by combining lecture and performance with audience interaction.
Excerpts from the all-female company's repertory will be performed by
its members, who will also participate in question-and-answer sessions.
"Ricochet" demonstrates how improvisational movement can be used to
create modern dance. For this piece, Sternberg gave her dancers a set of
guidelines.
"I told them to use a form of movement -- walking, running, spinning
-- and to only travel in a certain direction," she said. "I videotaped
their improvisation then took the footage home and cut and pasted
together pieces that I liked to form an entire dance."
"Searchlight" will illustrate how Sternberg uses floor pattern in her
choreography.
"Working with organized religion as a topic, I wanted to convey a
sense of order, not chaos," she said. "Using floor patterns, I can
express the idea of structure."
Benita Bike of Sunland, recently appointed dance coordinator for the
Brand Library Associates, said Sternberg's dancers are very skilled and
have a lot of experience putting on educational performances.
"Donna is an accomplished choreographer who knows how to express both
the how and why of her choreography," she said.
Bike has been dance coordinator since October, after finding out about
the position in the organization's newsletter.
"I called to offer my assistance in finding someone to fill the
position and they convinced me to do it myself," Bike said.
Bike was immediately faced with a challenge when two of the three
groups scheduled to perform canceled.
"At the time, Donna was the only confirmed performer and I had little
time to put the rest of the series together," she said. "I was told that
I could perform every two or three years so I scheduled myself."
Bike also asked Glendale resident Kiha Lee to fill the last slot in
the series. Lee specializes in Korean and modern dance.
Bike said she chose Lee intentionally because she wants more Glendale
artists to take part in the series.
"I want to make it a priority," she said.
IF YOU GO"
WHO: Donna Sternberg & Dancers.
WHAT: Brand Library Associates presents the first part of its 2002
Dance Series.
WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17.
WHERE: Brand Library Galleries, Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St.,
Glendale.
TICKETS: Free.
SEASON: Benita Bike's DanceArt Company, March 24 and Kiha Lee, May 19.
PHONE: 548-2051.
