Arlene Sierra's music was the focus of performances by Vencl Dance at the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance in New York City, February 19th to 21st, 2016.
Touching upon the motifs of falling and dispersal, “Long Before Afterward” is a 50-minute piece for five dancers choreographed by Susan Vencl to music from Sierra's debut disc with Bridge Records, Arlene Sierra, Vol. 1. The dance was preceded by the New York premiere of Sierra’s “Avian Mirrors,” performed by violinist Jesse Mills and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan who are recording the work for Sierra's forthcoming third portrait disc with Bridge Records.
"...one of the best things about Long Before Afterward is composer Arlene Sierra’s fabulous music. Her creative, energetic, expressionist work takes unexpected twists and turns that clearly inspired both Vencl and her dancers. As an extra bonus, before those dancers even took the stage, the audience was treated to a terrific 12-minute Sierra piece, “Avian Mirrors,” superbly performed by violinist Jesse Mills and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan. It nicely set the stage for the music and dance performance that followed." – Deborah Heineman, Berkshire Fine Arts
*NEW* Photography from the performances
More about Vencl Dance and choreographer Susan Vencl