Divine Dance

Dance Theatre of Harlem, celebrating its half century, put on a most impressive display when the company performed at a sold-out show at the Granada.

The two hour show, part of UCSB Arts & Lectures program, consisted of four works, starting with a classical amber alert, Orange, featuring six dancers and music by Vivaldi, beautifully choreographed by Stanton Welch, and This Bitter Earth, a sublime pas de deux by Christopher Wheeldon, featuring a brief encounter between a man and woman featuring music by Max Richter and soulful vocals by Dinah Washington.

The second half was as energized as the first with Passage, choreographed by Claudia Schreier, which reflects in abstract the fortitude of the human spirit and an enduring will to prevail, with award winner Annabelle Lopez Ochoa‘s Balamouk wrapping the wonderful performance.

Afterwards a reception was held with the dancers in the McCune Founders Room.