I went to the Kelly Strayhorn’s Alloy Studios for INTERIM! with this in mind: “Co-Artistic Directors of STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos, Staycee and Herman Pearl share an evening of multi-disciplinary collaborative explorations. The evenings include new works-in-progress and finished works by SPdp&SS and guest artists Marvin Touré, Barbara Weissberger, and more.”
“More” was an understatement.
It turned out that there was a VIP “intimate pre-performance reception” upstairs, which I sort of crashed. It was a testament to and a photo snapshot of the East Liberty arts community, mingling around a dance-centric, rather healthy buffet. Orange balloons added a festive note. As the minutes passed, it seemed more like a family — the attendees were so comfortable, so familiar with each other.
The reception promised “an exciting new announcement” and that it was. I have long felt that dance is a Pittsburgh treasure and it is slowly being rewarded as small local professional companies are creating their own home spaces. We were in Friendship’s Dance Alloy, now merged with KST, which was a former car showroom. Next came Bodiography with real estate in Manchester. Attack Theatre is turning up the heat in Lawrenceville.
What about SPdp & SS? KST executive director Joseph Hall was on hand to emphasize arts community support. New board president Katie McGuire Gaines made the announcement: The company will have a new space in Braddock, across from the library. Listed as 818 Braddock Avenue, I have been told that it has a “significant history” and is being totally renovated. The company will occupy the third floor.
Those third-floor figures are impressive: 14-foot ceilings, 5000 sq. ft. divided into two studios measuring 1490 sq. ft. and 590 sq. ft., plus a 960 sq. ft. recording studio, among other amenities.
The company received $400,000 from Heinz Endowments, $250,000 from Hillman Family Foundation and hopes to get $250,000 from the “people we love.” John Barbera, local architect and friend of the Pearls, will design the renovation. They hope to complete the project by March of 2025.
There was an immediate segue downstairs to the main space where the audience surrounded Jil Stifel, who was already moving bigger and broader in new ways, exploring. That would signal what was to follow, although it was not listed which pieces were in-progress and which were finished entities. Regardless, there was a spirit of adventure that has pervaded Pittsburgh dance since the pandemic, choreographers who are taking chances. Dance artists are no longer playing it safe.
Local duo slowdanger (Anna Thompson and Taylor Knight) brought Staycee into their fold, the first time I have seen her perform in years. The trio had a real purpose, especially Thompson’s solo. I have watched all three of these artists, virtually from the start. It was exciting to see them move with a substantial historical perspective, yes, star power!
The program was completed by two guest artists from the University of Pittsburgh. Barbara Weissberger’s work featured nifty, cushy sculptures, partial knock-offs of a giant red Minion-like pillow with a large eye. The piece meandered as the dancers interacted with their personal sculptures. But the originality of those props overshadowed the movement.
Marvin Toure’s concept had a Mondrian-inspired floor, with which he formed straight lines and rectangles on the floor with ordinary tape. The movement highlighted the structure from his architectural background and combined it with a kinetic momentum. Wonderful potential here in multiple areas…
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