Tiny Dances from Big Choreographers

Ten Tiny Dances founder Mike Barber. 

When put under artistic constraints creative minds usually think outside the box for resourceful solutions. This weekend Velocity Dance Center turns that idea on its head as a group of choreographers is forced to think inside the box for the Ten Tiny Dances performances.

With a loose Valentine’s Day theme in mind, ten mostly local choreographers created works of contemporary dance to be performed on a 4’ by 4’ platform. Very tiny dances.

“I think most artists doing their own works are relieved by someone giving them a really clear restriction,” said Shannon Stewart, interim Executive Director at Velocity. “It’s fun because I think it really pushes artists to distill their intentions, and you do get this sense of their essence on the stage.”

Former Executive Director Kara O’Toole agrees, citing the gamut of big-name choreographers as a definite crowd-drawing point of excitement.

“I’m trying to keep myself in the dark a little bit,” she admitted. “I want to be surprised because I know the quality of work of all of the artists.” The list of choreographers includes Crispin Spaeth, who produced the show, Donald Byrd, Mike Barber (the originator of the Portland branch of the event) and SandstromMovement.  

The atmosphere aims to be casual, with a bar and lounge set up in a studio adjacent to the performance space, and ironically no constraints keeping the audience in their seats during the pieces.

“I’m excited to see a show that includes performers like Salt Horse and Donald Byrd on the same bill,” Stewart revealed. “I think it will really highlight the breadth of what’s going on in Seattle dance right now.”

Ten Tiny (valentine’s) dances runs from Friday—Sunday at Velocity Dance Center. Tickets available here. 

Image by Jim Lykins, courtesy of Velocity Dance Center.