Sankai Juku November 11, 2010

Nov 11, 12, 13 at 8pm, Nov 14 at 2pm

San Francisco, CA - Japanese dance troupe Sankai Juku-whose explorations in the Butoh idiom build an expansive world of probing imagery-brings the Bay Area premiere of its landmark work Hibiki in a joint presentation by San Francisco Performances and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Performances at YBCA's Novellus Theater run 8 pm Nov. 11 through Nov. 13, closing with a 2 pm matinee Nov. 14.

Told through the choreographic pull of six men, among them the group's artistic director Ushio Amagatsu, Hibiki's ideas funnel profound ideas into instinctually recognizable tableaus. From the simplicity of the set, in which water falls slowly into pools of water, to the powerful reach of the dancers-heads shaved and bodies dusted white with rice powder-the piece reflects Butoh's push out of devastation and into renewal.

Amagatsu, choreographer, designer and artistic director, founded Sankai Juku in 1975 to develop elements of Butoh, the contemporary Japanese dance form that emerged in the 1960s in the still-looming shadow of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His creations mine Butoh for stunning theater and intimate views of universal themes. Described by the New York Times as showing "the human body as microcosm for humanity," Hibiki stands out in his repertoire. Amagatsu has also collaborated with SFP's frequently showcased composer Philip Glass and continues winning international acclaim and frequent awards for his artistic accomplishments.
In addition to the four performances presented by SFP and YBCA, Stanford Lively Arts brings the Bay Area premiere of Sankai Juku's newest work, Tobari, one night only on Nov. 9 in Memorial Auditorium. Contact Bob Cable or visit livelyarts.stanford.edu for more information.

For tickets to Hibiki or more information call 415.392.2545, email [email protected] or visit sfperformances.org.

Official Website: http://www.sfperformances.org