Photo by Igaki photo studio, courtesy of Kinosaki International Arts Center (Toyooka City)
An international joint project by New York-based musician Gelsey Bell and Kyoto-based choreographer Yokoshi Yasuko. Set along the storyline of Yamamba, a Noh piece, it asks what contemporary dancers can learn from physical training in traditional performing arts based on the male body, and whether they can reflect that in their own aesthetics? Overcoming the differences in origin and formality, this piece penetrates the walls that stand between men and women to explore the resonating physicality that resides there. It poses questions about the empowerment of female artists in all fields of performing arts, including dance, music, classical performing arts, and theater.
“shuffleyamamba confirms that the lineage of nameless women entertainers in history are inherited by today’s contemporary dancers. This new perspective on history will give hope for dancers today and in the future.” – Mari Takeda (Dance Critic) written for Act26 by AICT/ITAC Japan
About the Artists
Yasuko Yokoshi is a choreographer and filmmaker. She was born in Hiroshima, Japan, and currently lives in Kyoto, Japan after living in NYC for 35 years. Yokoshi’s work has been presented by the Theatre de la Ville in Paris, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Guggenheim Museum Works&Process, the Kitchen, Danspace Project, and New York Live Arts. Yokoshi has received two “Bessie” Awards for her choreography of Shuffle (2003) and what we when we (2006).
Gelsey Bell has been described by the New York Times as “a charismatic and fiercely intelligent performer,” whose performance of her own music is “virtuosic” and “glorious noise.” She has released multiple recordings, is a current HARP Artist at HERE Arts Center, and has received a Foundation for Contemporary Arts award. She is a member of thingNY, Varispeed, and the Chutneys. Performance highlights include Dave Malloy’s Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 (Broadway) and Ghost Quartet, and Robert Ashley’s Improvement.