Berkshires schedules and hotels

April 22 update: schedule of free exhibits and archives at Jacob’s Pillow

Here are details of the 2009 schedule for the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Becket, MA, which begins June 20, 2009 and ends August 30, 2009. Presented in the Ted Shawn and Doris Duke Stages and the Inside/Out performance space will be some 110 ticketed events and 200 free events.

Mujeres – Ted Shawn Theatre – June 24 – 28

This evening of flamenco music and dance was directed by the legendary Mario Maya, who passed away in September 2008. Mujeres stars Belén Maya, daughter of Carmen Mora and Mario Maya and a master in her own right, and Rocío Molina, a 24-year-old prodigy from Málaga, Spain. These bailaoras have been lauded by critics around the world: The Washington Times states that Molina “sets the stage on fire with a blend of classical and modern movements,” and El Informador describes Maya’s work as “a portrait that captures an instant of her soul.” They are joined by an ensemble of guitarists, percussionists and vocalists for an evening of live music and dance. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber. $10 Saturday and Sunday youth matinée tickets (must be accompanied by an adult).

Radio and Juliet by Ballet Maribor – Ted Shawn Theatre – July 1 – 5

Radio and Juliet by Ballet Maribor, review of July 1 performance at Jacob’s Pillow

Radio and Juliet is a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Romanian dancer Edward Clug, and performed by Slovenia’s Ballet Maribor. The score is comprised of music by Radiohead, two-time Grammy winner and fourteen-time nominee, and one of the most influential alternative English rock bands of the past century. Video effects set the stage for abstract references to classic scenes including Mercutio’s death, the wedding, and the Masquerade Ball. Clug, whose movement style is sharp, clear, and highly kinetic, dances in the work along with four other men and one female lead. Radio and Juliet has only been performed once in the U.S., in October 2008. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.

LAFA & Artists – Doris Duke Theatre – July 1 – 5

Fang-Yi Sheu, former star of Martha Graham Dance Company and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, performs in the U.S. debut of her company, LAFA & Artists. In 2007, Sheu became the youngest recipient of Taiwan’s National Award for the Arts and founded her contemporary company with choreographer and long-time partner Bulareyuang Pagarlava. The program includes two American premieres; 37 Arts, an acrobatic romp of delights and hard times, and another new work currently being created in Taiwan. Pillow audiences will remember Sheu from the 2008 Festival, when she performed a work by Pagarlava as part of David Michalek’s Slow Dancing. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet – Ted Shawn Theatre -July 11, 8pm – 12

The dancers of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, perform the world premiere of Orbo Novo (New World), choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Orbo Novo premieres to a live, original score for piano and strings by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska. Cherkaoui has stated that the title of the work is inspired by what is believed to be the first reference to North America as ‘the New World,’ in a 1493 letter by Pietro Martire d’Anghiera, an historian of Spain and its Age of Exploration. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.

Gallim Dance – Doris Duke Theatre – July 8 – 12

Artistic Director Andrea Miller, former dancer with Ohad Naharin’s Ensemble Batsheva, leads with Gallim Dance, known for movement that is witty, theatrical, and explosive, performed on Inside/Out, the Pillow’s free outdoor performance space, in 2008. They return to perform Miller’s latest work, Blush, set to a score as quirky as her choreography, with music by Manyfingers, Wolf Parade, Radiohead, and Chopin. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.

Groupe Emile Dubois – Ted Shawn Theatre – July 15 – 19

Jean-Claude Gallotta, a dancer, choreographer, performer, filmmaker, author, and playwright, founded Groupe Emile Dubois in 1979. This U.S. premiere, performed to a host of spoken word narratives, will mark the company’s first American engagement in nearly two decades. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber. $10 Saturday youth matinée tickets (must be accompanied by an adult).

David Roussève/REALITY – Doris Duke Theatre – July 18 – 19

David Roussève/REALITY present Saudade, telling the story of southern African-Americans to the sound of Portuguese blues, fado. A multicultural cast illuminates a mosaic of movement, video effects, and monologues, performed by Roussève himself, spanning from slavery to Hurricane Katrina. Traditional dance forms from Indonesia, West Africa, and India merge with contemporary techniques in this new work, which premieres in February 2009. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.

Merce Cunningham Dance Company – Ted Shawn Theatre – July 22 – 26

Jacob’s Pillow celebrates Merce Cunningham’s 90th birthday and a relationship that began with the company’s first Pillow performances in 1955. His revolutionary approach to space, time, music, and technology is honored with a retrospective of masterworks. The program includes Sounddance (1975), CRWDSPCR (1993) a work of constant motion, and eyeSpace (2006) which invites audiences to listen to individualized scores, using provided iPod Shuffles. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber. $10 Sunday youth matinée tickets (must be accompanied by an adult).

Jason Samuels Smith and A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It) – Doris Duke Theatre -July 22 – August 2

Jason Samuels Smith and A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It) in a two-week engagement that pays homage to the history of tap while also experimenting in contemporary styles, and every performance features live music. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber. $10 Sunday youth matinée tickets for July 26 only (must be accompanied by an adult).

13th Annual Community Day – Sunday, July 26, 10am – 1pm

The Pillow transforms into a dance party for all ages with free, family-friendly programming during its annual Community Day (rain or shine). Everyone is welcome to attend free performances, dance workshops, arts and crafts activities, book readings for children, game, and more. Community Day is free and open to the public.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal – Ted Shawn Theatre -July 29 – August 2

Last seen at the Pillow in 2005, Canadian contemporary ballet company Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is known for its diverse, adventurous repertoire and collaborations with top choreographers including Ji?í Kylián, Mats Ek, Nacho Duato, and Ohad Naharin. Under the direction of Gradimir Pankov, the company performs two very different works, both by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. Four Seasons is set to Vivaldi’s classic score of the same name, and Cantata pays homage to Mediterranean culture and tradition with original and folk music from Southern Italy. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.

Rennie Harris Puremovement – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 5 – 9

Rennie Harris directs the Cultural Traditions program at The School at Jacob’s Pillow (June 29 – July 12), and, with the dancers of Puremovement, returns to perform works such as Students of the Asphalt Jungle, Continuum, Breath, and March of the Antmen to a medley of original and mixed music, including live bucket drumming. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.

Jacinta Vlach/Liberation Dance Theater – Doris Duke Theatre – August 5 – 9

Jacinta Vlach/Liberation Dance Theater’s program includes Abjection in America, set to a score of Latin fusion music and audio excerpts from comedians Richard Pryor and John Leguizamo. Other works to be announced. (contains strong language) Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.

Doug Varone and Dancers – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 12 – 16

Doug Varone and Dancers perform a program the includes Lux, set to Philip Glass’ The Light. Other works to be announced. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.

Rubberbandance Group – Doris Duke Theatre – August 12 – 16

Rubberbandance, led by Victor Quijada and co-artistic director Anne Plamondon perform Punto Ciego (Blind Spot). Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.

Pacific Northwest Ballet – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 19 – 23

Pacific Northwest Ballet, under the direction of Peter Boal, perform an all-Ulysses Dove program, including Vespers, to Mikel Rouse’s percussive score, Red Angels, and Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven with music by Arvo Pärt. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student, child, $52 subscriber. $10 Sunday youth matinée tickets for August 22 only (must be accompanied by an adult).

Kidd Pivot – Doris Duke Theatre – August 19 – 23

Kidd Pivot explores movement to the fullest in Crystal Pite’s evening-length work Lost Action, with soundscape by Owen Belton that features choral melody, ukulele, and spoken word. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.

A Jazz Happening – August 23 – Benefit for The School at Jacob’s Pillow

This one-night-only event features dancers of the Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance program, performing alongside Broadway stars after three weeks of intense study and preparation at The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Directed by Broadway’s Chet Walker, A Jazz Happening includes original choreography by the Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance artist faculty and live music by an onstage jazz band. Former guest performers have included Donna McKechnie, Andrea McArdle, Stephen Bogardus, and Terri Klausner, and this season’s event will feature an all-new program and cast. Proceeds benefit The School at Jacob’s Pillow; $100 level tickets include a reception with the performers. Tickets $100 and $60.

Ballet Hispanico – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 26 – 30

Ballet Hispanico will honor Tina Ramirez, who steps down as artistic director this year and first performed at the Pillow as a teenager in 1948. The program includes excerpts from Club Havana, in which the rhythms of the Rumba, Mambo, and Cha Cha are brought to life by Cuban choreographer, and former Ballet Hispanico dancer, Pedro Ruiz. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student, child, $52 subscriber.

Doug Elkins and Friends’ Fräulein Maria – Doris Duke Theatre – August 26 – 30

Doug Elkins and Friends’ Fräulein Maria is a deconstructed version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.