White Bird's 2023/24 Season Brochure

2023-2024 SEASON

WHITE BIRD DANCE 2023-2024 SEASON

PILOBOLUS

CAMILLE A. BROWN & DANCERS

EPHRAT ASHERIE DANCE

OCT 4

OCT 12-14

NOV 2-4

ABBY Z AND THE NEW UTILITY

LED

BLACK GRACE

P. 19

NOV 16-18

JAN 25-27

FEB 21

MUSIC FROM THE SOLE

ALVIN AILEY ® AMERICAN DANCE THEATER

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

FEB 29-MAR 2

MAR 12-13

APR 10

WHITE BIRD DANCE SERIES/WE ARE ONE FESTIVAL

p. 5

WHITE BIRD UNCAGED

p. 11

SPECIAL EVENT

p. 15

In the Community

p. 16

Join our Flock

p. 17

Ticketing Information p. 18 Cover images, clockwise from upper left: Black Grace, photo by Toaki Okano; Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater, photo by Paul Kolnik; Camille A. Brown & Dancers, photo by Christopher Duggan; Sydney Dance Company, photo by Pedro Greig

S E AS O N 2 6 O F W H I T E B I R D Our 26th season is a year full of opportunity - chances to connect and honor, to introduce and reintroduce. With international artists returning, the recent opening of our new Box Office and Boutique at 900 SW Fifth, and so much new work, we have a lot to celebrate and even more to share.

Our season and White Bird Dance Series opens with the return of Pilobolus, a perennial audience favorite celebrating 50 years Graham with Barney, the White Bird of inventive and daring dance. This evening will also honor the Photo by Jingzi Zhao leadership of Paul King & Walter Jaffe, Co-Founders of White Bird, as we look forward to the next 25 years. The Dance Series continues with Camille A. Brown & Dancers in ink, a rousing dance performed alongside a live band, with elements of swing, jazz, gogo, hip hop and blues.

In this season’s Uncaged Series, we are proud to present entertaining works created by three innovative women, each with a unique style. Ephrat Asherie Dance blends street and club dance styles effortlessly in ODEON. Abby Z and the New Utility’s Radioactive Practice pushes the limits of human endurance in thrilling and unexpected ways. And LED’s Lauren Edson creates a dramatic, surprising world in her newest work, Kid Lightning.

In our third annual WE ARE ONE Festival, we welcome a pair of companies who draw their inspiration from diverse, cross-continental dance lineages. Black Grace, among the top dance companies in New Zealand, returns to White Bird with the signature fusion of traditional Samoan movement and contemporary dance molded by its Founding Artistic Director, Neil Ieremia. Music From The Sole, led jointly by choreographer Leonardo Sandoval and composer Gregory Richardson, exemplifies the depth of Black dance and music in I Didn’t Come to Stay, a joyful work at the intersection of tap, Afro-Brazilian dance and live music.

We celebrate the return of Alvin Ailey® American Dance Theater, a powerhouse of modern and contemporary dance beloved by audiences around the world. And, finally, we’ll close our season and White Bird Dance Series with Sydney Dance Company, whose impressive dancers shine in the company’s ferociously physical and striking new work, ab [intra].

Welcome to our 2023-24 season. We’re glad you’re here!

Graham Cole, Executive Director White Bird greatly appreciates the generous support of the following foundations & government arts agencies:

RONNI LACROUTE

The Regional Arts & Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County and the Arts Education & Access Fund.

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CONNECTICUT

Photo by: Grant Halverson

“ Exquisite technique, superhuman strength, innovative choreography.”

- MassLive

DANCE SERIES/ WE ARE ONE FESTIVAL

PILOBOLUS

Artistic Directors, Renée Jaworski & Matt Kent

Celebrating more than 50 years, Pilobolus is a rebellious dance company that has tested the limits of human physicality to explore the beauty and power of interconnected bodies. One of White Bird’s, and the world’s, most in-demand dance companies, Pilobolus returns with their glorious dancer-athletes, performing a new program overflowing with wit, sensuality, and spectacular physical acumen. pilobolus.org

WEDNESDAY | 7:30PM

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

WHITE BIRD

DANCE SERIES

Sponsored by: Ken & Ann Edwards

Please join us before the performance for a fundraiser in celebration of White Bird Co-Founders Walter Jaffe & Paul King, as well as the next 25 years of White Bird.

Hosted by Poison Waters and Dale Johannes.

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 5:00pm - 7:00pm Fields Sunken Ballroom, Portland Art Museum Space is limited - for more information and to RSVP, visit whitebird.org/donate

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Photo by: Christopher Duggan

QUEENS, NY

“I see Black people as superheroes because we keep rising.”

LIVE MUSIC

- Camille A. Brown

Photo by: Toaki Okano

NEW ZEALAND

“Incredible speed and stamina… exhilarating.”

- The New York Times LIVE MUSIC

CAMILLE A. BROWN & DANCERS Artistic Director, Camille A. Brown

ink Camille A. Brown is the recipient of numerous awards and the first Black artist to direct a mainstage production at the Metropolitan Opera. After presenting Mr. TOL E. RAncE (2012) and BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play (2016), White Bird is proud to bring Camille A. Brown’s ink, the third part of Brown’s Trilogy on race, culture and identity, which celebrates the rituals, gestural vocabulary and traditions that remain ingrained within the lineage of the African diaspora. In ink, her gifted company of 8 dancers and 4 musicians create a thrilling energy, examining Black life that is often appropriated, rewritten, or silenced. camilleabrown.org

3 SHOWS, THU-SAT | 7:30PM

OCTOBER 12-14, 2023 Newmark Theatre

WHITE BIRD

DANCE SERIES

Sponsored by: Darci & Charlie Swindells

BLACK GRACE Artistic Director, Neil Ieremia

Last seen with White Bird in 2013, Black Grace is a powerful ensemble, comprised of some of New Zealand’s finest dancers, which fills the stage with great physicality and emotion. Neil Ieremia’s choreography fuses contemporary dance with traditional Samoan movement that is eloquent, spiritual, athletic, and lyrical. This unique company, which embraces the diversity of New Zealand’s multi-cultural population, has received critical and audience acclaim from around the world. blackgrace.co.nz

WEDNESDAY | 7:30PM

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

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NEW YORK CITY

“A marvelous feast of rhythm, both visual and aural.”

Photo by: Titus Ogilvie Laing

- DanceTabs

LIVE MUSIC

FOR ALL AGES

Photo by: Pedro Greig

AUSTRALIA

“Impressive athleticism and energy… has to be seen to be believed.”

- Sydney Morning Herald

MUSIC FROM THE SOLE

Artistic Directors, Leonardo Sandoval & Gregory Richardson

I Didn’t Come to Stay Making their West Coast debut, Music From The Sole is a tap and live music company that celebrates tap’s Afro-diasporic roots, especially its connections to Afro-Brazilian dance and music. Receiving great acclaim for their appearances at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Tap in Rio, this brilliant company will perform their newest work, I Didn’t Come to Stay, commissioned by Works & Process at the Guggenheim (NYC), that embraces a unique combination of tap, percussive dance, house, and Brazilian street dance. musicfromthesole.com

4 SHOWS, THU-SAT | 7:30PM PLUS 2PM SATURDAY MATINEE

FEBRUARY 29-MARCH 2, 2024 Newmark Theatre

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY

Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela

ab [intra] Sydney Dance Company is Australia’s leading contemporary dance company. Led by Spanish-born choreographer Rafael Bonachela, the Company has cemented its reputation as a creative powerhouse, performing new work by Bonachela and other major choreographers.

One of Bonachela’s most acclaimed full-length works, ab [intra], meaning ‘from within’ in Latin, is a dazzling exploration of our primal instincts, our impulses and our visceral responses.

Sydney Dance Company is based on Gadigal land. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples of the lands and waters where we tour and perform.

WEDNESDAY | 7:30PM

APRIL 10, 2024

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

WHITE BIRD

DANCE SERIES

Sponsored by: 9

NEW YORK CITY

“ Asherie and her company are a sight anywhere they perform.”

- The Boston Globe

FOR ALL AGES

Photo by: Matthew Murphy

UNCAGED SERIES

MEDIA SPONSOR

EPHRAT ASHERIE DANCE

Artistic Director, Ephrat Asherie

ODEON Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie is a New York City based b-girl, dancer, and choreographer who received the prestigious Bessie Award in 2016 for Innovative Achievement in Dance. She and her company make their Pacific Northwest debut with their acclaimed work ODEON , created by Ephrat in collaboration with her brother Ehud Asherie, the musical director. ODEON is set to the music of famed Brazilian composer Ernesto Nazareth and features an exhilarating mash up of street and club dances, including breaking, hip hop, house, and vogue. Ephrat Asherie’s remarkable choreographic voice is not to be missed. ephratasheriedance.com

4 SHOWS, THU-SAT | 7:30PM PLUS 2PM SATURDAY MATINEE

NOVEMBER 2-4, 2023

Lincoln Hall, Portland State University

Sponsored by: Nancy & George Thorn

RONNI LACROUTE PRESENTS

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OHIO/NEW YORK

“Full commitment and full presence—at full throttle…”

Photo by: Maria Baranova

- Indy Week

IDAHO

“ Virtuosic eye candy that invites the audience into another world.”

Photo by: Otto Kittsinger

- Dance Magazine

FOR ALL AGES

ABBY Z AND THE NEW UTILITY

Artistic Director, Abby Zbikowski

Radioactive Practice Choreographer Abby Zbikowski puts physicality at the heart of larger philosophical questions about the meaning and function of dance across cultures. Her new group work Radioactive Practice, performed on stage in the round, draws on a wide range of movement traditions, including street dance, contemporary African forms, and martial arts, to shatter assumptions of established dance forms and generate a penetrating vision of what it means to be alive today. abbyznewutility.org

3 SHOWS, THU-SAT | 7:30PM

NOVEMBER 16-18, 2023

Lincoln Hall, Portland State University

Sponsored by: Walter Jaffe & Paul King

LED

Artistic Director, Lauren Edson

Kid Lightning Lauren Edson, recipient of the 2019 Washington Award for Excellence in Choreography, founded LED in 2015 with her husband Andrew Stensaas to create projects—whether dance, film or music—that throb with imagination and intense physicality.

In collaboration with their team of dancers, musicians, designers, and technicians, they have created Kid Lightning, a wild journey into a 1970’s stylized world of game show competition. Each individual contestant pushes their limits to claim fame, only to discover it was more than they bargained for. ledboise.com

4 SHOWS, THU-SAT | 7:30PM PLUS 2PM SATURDAY MATINEE

JANUARY 25-27, 2024

Lincoln Hall, Portland State University

Sponsored by:

Technology and Society, Inc.

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Constance Stamatiou, Yannick Lebrun, and James Gilmer. Photo by: Dario Calmese

NEW YORK CITY

“ Profound and uplifting… triumphant.”

- The Guardian (UK)

SPECIAL EVENT

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER

®

Artistic Director, Robert Battle There is no dance company in the world that has the same impact and enormous following as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This will be the Company’s sixth appearance with White Bird, and each time our audience has exulted over the riveting performances by extraordinary dancers performing work by Alvin Ailey and the world’s most esteemed choreographers. As in past years, each of our two programs will be different but will culminate with Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations, which brings audiences around the world to their feet. alvinailey.org

2 SHOWS, TUES & WED | 7:30PM

MARCH 12 & 13, 2024 Keller Auditorium

FOR ALL AGES 15

WHITE BIRD LOVES OUR COMMUNITY

Masterclass by Micaela Taylor with adult Open Space students, January 2023

Dallas Black Dance Theatre Q&A with Steps for Youth students, October 2022

White Bird strongly believes that community involvement is as vital as the dance performances we put on Portland’s stages. We work with local artists, companies, and community partners to create experiences that are meaningful and affordable for all.

“We want students to be able to see themselves reflected in their teachers, leaders, dancers on stage, and really see what is possible. Not only did they see this incredible company perform, but they got to meet them, ask them questions and engage in a way that I know they will keep in their memories for the rest of their lives.”

- Monica Parra, Director of Education and Community Engagement at Steps for Youth

“We feel incredibly thankful to White Bird for coordinating and co-hosting this workshop for over 30 attendees from the Portland dance community...We hope to collaborate with White Bird in the future to educate and expose our community to the wonderful guest artists they bring to Portland from all over the globe.”

- Charlene Hannibal, Founder and Director of The School at Open Space

NEST (No Empty Seats Today)

Created in 2002, NEST is an equity initiative, wherein White Bird partners with many non-profit health and human service organizations in Portland. Through generous sponsorships by The Standard and Starseed Foundation, NEST annually provides the clients of our partner organizations with over 500 tickets in prime seats in the form of subscriptions and unused tickets donated by White Bird ticket buyers.

White Bird thanks all of our Community Partners

MEREDITH THOMPSON, PT

THE VOLUNTEERS OF WHITE BIRD

JOIN THE FLOCK SUPPORT EXCELLENCE IN DANCE

HELP US CONTINUE TO BRING THE WORLD’S BEST DANCE TO PORTLAND - PLEASE DONATE AND JOIN OUR FLOCK! Did you know that ticket sales cover less than 40% of White Bird’s total budget? We rely on support from individuals, as well as local businesses and foundations, to continue our extensive and longstanding dance programming, community outreach, and equity initiatives. Although we continue to contend with rising production costs and decreasing public support for the arts, we are optimistic about what we can achieve with your help.

Together, we can make dance engaging, equitable, and accessible for everyone.

YOUR GIFT, OUR ACTION

Your donation enables us to act on our six values, aligned with our Equity Commitment, bringing positive change to our local community as well as the greater dance world: Excellence in Performance We compensate highly skilled dance artists and crew fairly for their hard work.

Diversity in Movement We present the dance you know and love, plus the dance you don’t know you love...yet.

Accessibility and Inclusiveness We provide thousands of low-cost and no-cost tickets annually to Portlanders in need.

Dedication to Community We arrange local community engagement opportunities for each and every artist we bring to Portland.

Generosity of Spirit We go above and beyond to ensure both audiences and visiting artists have the best possible experience.

Fiscal Responsibility With good governance and your support, White Bird continues to operate sustainably.

IT’S EASY TO DONATE

• Include a gift with your subscription renewal • Give online, anytime, at whitebird.org • Call us at 503-245-1600 All gifts, including in-kind gifts, are welcome and tax-deductible. You may also designate your gift to be used for a special purpose, including: White Bird’s new Sustainability and Creative Fund Help ensure White Bird’s Future. A portion will underwrite the commissioning of new work, with the majority of your gift supporting our future programming and operations.

Show Sponsorship Enjoy great benefits including tickets, name/logo on our marketing materials, and more.

NEST (No Empty Seats Today) Sponsor a NEST subscription, or donate your unused subscription tickets for redistribution to our NEST partners.

And More!

Visit whitebird.org/donate for more information, or contact Executive Director Graham Cole at graham@whitebird.org 17

WHY SUBSCRIBE? BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE – Subscribers get the best available seats, available well in advance of the public on-sale dates GREAT SAVINGS – Save 20% or more when you subscribe compared to the general sale ticket price FREE & EASY EXCHANGES – Simple replacement of lost tickets PRE-SALE ON SINGLE TICKETS – Purchase additional tickets directly through White Bird before shows go on sale to the public ADVANCE ORDERING PRIVILEGES – Special pricing and advance priority seating to White Bird’s Special Event

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE ONLINE – whitebird.org/subscribe MAIL – Contact christopher@whitebird.org if you would like a paper renewal/ subscription form. Paper forms should be mailed to White Bird, P.O. Box 99, Portland, OR 97207-0099 SORRY, WE DO NOT TAKE ORDERS OVER THE PHONE.

VERY IMPORTANT

•W heelchair-accessible seating available. Please contact christopher@whitebird.org if you have any questions.

•D ates, artists and programs are subject to change.

• COVID-19: please visit whitebird.org/covid-19 to keep up-to-date on White Bird’s COVID-19 Policy.

ORDER PROCESSING – WHAT TO EXPECT

• You will receive an email confirmation of your order showing your seats and payment.

• If you selected Subscription Mailing, your tickets will be mailed approximately 3 weeks before the first performance.

• Subscription orders are non-refundable.

SINGLE TICKETS ON-SALE Single tickets will be available for public sale on Friday, August 18 for all White Bird shows.

QUESTIONS? – Contact Christopher Carvalho at 503-245-1600 x201 or christopher@whitebird.org

whitebird.org

SUBSCRIPTION PRICING & VENUE MAPS ARLENE SCHNITZER CONCERT HALL

NEWMARK THEATRE G F EE DD CC B A

2ND BALCONY BOX A

BOX B

H G F E D C B A

1ST BALCONY BOX A

BOX B O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A

ORCHESTRA LEVEL

WHITE BIRD DANCE SERIES / WE ARE ONE FESTIVAL

5 show series | Newmark Theatre & Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Dress Circle: SOLD OUT Price Level 1: $290

Price Level 3: $200

Price Level 2: $240

Price Level 4: $130

KELLER AUDITORIUM LINCOLN HALL PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY T S R Q P N M L K J H G F E D C B A

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER ®

2 performances | Keller Auditorium

Dress Circle: $122 Price Level 1: $103 Price Level 2: $78

WHITE BIRD UNCAGED

3 show series | PSU’s Lincoln Hall

Price Level 1: $120 Price Level 2: $90

Price Level 3: $49 Price Level 4: $37

whitebird.org

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Visit our new White Bird Box Office & Boutique!

900 SW 5 th Avenue, Suite 100

ALVIN AILEY® AMERICAN DANCE THEATER Photo by: Dario Calmese

For the best seats and prices + advance tickets to our Special Event! whitebird.org

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P.O. BOX 99 PORTLAND, OR 97207-0099