NYC choreographer headlines Schwartz Center dance concert

David Liu (bottom) and Alejandro Morales (jumping) rehearse for the dance concert, "Polarities: Extremes in Performance," opening tonight, Dec. 4. Photo by Thomas Hoebbel

New York City choreographer and dancer Antonio Ramos is the featured dancer in the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts' upcoming dance concert, "Polarities: Extremes in Performance." Ramos and his two dance partners will perform along with students and faculty members for this concert, which begins tonight, Dec. 4, and continues Dec. 5 and 6. All shows begin at 7 p.m.

"My work is inspired by socio-political issues that deal with my feelings of connection and contention with the urban life I live in NYC and with my identity as a gay, male, mulato Puerto Rican," said Ramos. "I employ humor to cope with the absurdity and beauty of living and try to dance in the space between technical control and wild abandon."

"Antonio's guest residency was the impetus for the concert's theme," said concert coordinator and choreographer Jim Self, a senior lecturer in the Department of Theatre, Film and Dance. "We want to show polarities of identity: urban/non-urban, gay/straight, male/female."

In addition to performing, Ramos is conducting a workshop at the TST BOCES Community School and at the Ithaca Reconstruction Home.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ramos received his B.F.A. from SUNY Purchase. He has danced with the Ballet Theatre of Puerto Rico, Ballet Hispanico of New York, Kevin Wynn and Kari Hooas, among others. He has presented his choreography at Dance Theatre Workshop, DanceNow Downtown and Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance.

"Polarities" also will feature original choreography by Cornell students and faculty. Pieces include a duet with ropes showing the juxtaposition between falling and flying; an interactive dance between spectator and dancer, where the audience controls the composition of the dance by holding up coded color cards; and a totally improvisational dance featuring "doubling." Student choreographers include: Sarah Kandora, Jessica Skrebes, Kathleya Afanador, Nathalie Fassie and Kate Shearman.

"Polarities: Extremes in Performance" is designed by senior theater major Niki Hayes. Hayes has created a total sound and lighting environment for the concert. The lighting designer for last spring's dance concert, Hayes plans to pursue a career in music supervision and sound design.

Tickets for "Polarities" are $4 in advance and $5 at the door. Call the Schwartz Center box office at 254-ARTS for tickets and information. Box office hours are 12:30-5:30 p.m., weekdays.

This program is supported in part by the Cornell Council for the Arts and the New York State DanceForce.