The Chicagoist will be launching later but in the meantime please enjoy our archives.

'Made In Spain' Brings New Works To The Stage

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 7, 2013 4:20PM

2013_03_06_luna negra 377.jpg Get a dose of Latin inspired contemporary dance this weekend at the Harris when Luna Negra presents their spring program, “Made In Spain.” The evening will feature two world premieres from native Spanish choreographers.

Guest choreographer Fernando Hernando Magadan’s Royal Road features live music from Grammy winners Turtle Island Quartet. This string quartet crosses classical with contemporary music like folk, R&B, rock and hip-hop, but this time they put their jazz hats on for two different pieces as Magadan explores two dramatically contrasting approaches to creating art: improvisation and notating. The set, designed by Magadan, features a “chandelier” of sheet music and Labanotation pages (a way of recording dance movements on paper).

The second premiere comes from company member Mónica Cervantes, a true spanish dancer who was just named one of 2013’s top “25 To Watch” by Dance Magazine. Presenté is her sophomore work (her first, Requiem, debuted with LN last year), and is set to the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter (whose name we recognize from Infra). The piece is inspired by her grandfather and looks at the concept of “the present” both as the gift and the moment.

“Made In Spain” is presented for one night only this Saturday, at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $65.