Is it possible to fall in love with a dance company?
Well, yes, if that company is Artifact Dance Project.
The home-grown troupe continually amazes with its productions, which are a combination of theater, music and dance. Itβs current show, βDowntown,β is staged in the companyβs downtown studio.
A jazz band β Daniel Slipetsky on piano, Fred Hayes on drums, Chris Black on bass and singer Rebecca Carlson β provides the soundtrack for the flirty, often witty dance.
At the Nov. 16 opening, the band started with the bluesy Sarah Vaughan classic βBlack Coffee.β As Carlsonβs made-for-jazz voice croons, the dancers enter. The men are in tan suits, the women in flowy coats glittering with sequins. As they began to move, the song β and really, we didnβt think this was possible β became more vivid, more sultry.
The hourlong concert continued with the band playing and singing jazz as the dancers leaped and jumped and swayed with mesmerizing grace.
Ashley Bowmanβs choreography was often a literal interpretation of the lyrics β a dancer handed out roses in the βLa Vie en Roseβ number, they mimed shooting a gun in βBang Bang.β What made this concert so much fun was how playful it was. The dancers often interacted with the audience, made eye contact, shook hands.
The music was sublime; so was the dance, especially Marquez Johnson, who exudes personality and has the ability to literally float through the air.
Artifact always performs with live music, and is always theatrical, imaginative and surprising. And it is packed with talent. This concert is no exception.
Really, whatβs not to love?
