‘Bolero,’ ‘eVOLUTION’ & ‘Feeling’ at the FDF

The Florence Dance Festival continues this week at the Bargello national museum courtyard (via del Pronconsolo, 9:15 pm).

The opener comes with DaCru Dance Company’s “TheKitchenTheory” (July 11). The work describes the significance of a kitchen, showing that it may leave a bigger impact on our lives than imagined. The pairing of urban-influenced movement and deep intellect makes for a powerful performance.

Molissa Fenley and Company and the Kinesis Contemporary Dance Company will present a premiere quartet in tribute to the Florence Dance Festival (July 14), in addition to Angelo Egarese’s new work “eVOLUTION.” It is an ode to women, and explores vulnerability and trust with the space the dancers occupy.

The third week of the festival will end with a performance by the FloDance Corps Junior Training Program and Antitesi (July 16). They will show “Bolero,” choreographed by the festival’s artistic director Marga Nativo.

“Bolero” is typically choreographed in a Spanish-influenced style, accentuating an underlying sensuality in the work. Alternatively, in the July 16 Bargello showcase, Marga Nativo, however, deviates from this tradition. “I tried to put myself into the piece as Ravel was composing it,” she explains. “Oftentimes,” she continues, “choreographers craft work which follows the music, however, in my approach, I strive to create a physical embodiment of the sound.”

Playing with the elements of repetition and build within the composition, the dancers congregate on stage one by one. Symbolic of each new melody as it becomes audible in the space, “on cue, each dancer,” Nativo says, “becomes an instrument.”

As her students approach the end of their training,  Nativo is honored to watch them perform in this prestigious, international festival. “Our future,” she declares, “is youth.” In “Bolero,” audience members will be able to experience not only the depth of Nativo’s creativity as an artist, but witness the effect of her expertise on the next generation. (shiri gross)

Following, Antiesi will close the evening with “Feeling,” by Arianna Benedetti, which aims to speak of the emotions and complexity of the human soul.

For the full program, ticket prices, and information about the companies, visit www.florencedancefestival.org. (jennifer klammer & shiri gross)