Friday-Sunday 4/6-8
Shapiro and Smith Dance marks its 25th anniversary with two world premieres at the Cowles Center this weekend. "Voices" (pictured, with Kari Mosel), accompanied by live music from Orange Mighty Trio, will recognize the many choreographers who have been company members or guests over the years, including Uri Sands, Carl Flink, Erin Thompson, Mathew Janczewski and Wilson Mendieta. Each contributed a phrase now integrated into the piece, so it will be a fun game to try to identify each artist's movement signature. "I wanted to do something celebrating the virtuosity of dance," Joanie Smith said. "It's funny at times, lyrical, lovely, and there's sadness, too." The program also includes a revival of 1988's dramatic "Family." "It's the first group work we ever made," she said. "It reads like a play when compared [with] other dance work." "Family" also represents the troupe's first full collaboration with composer Scott Killian, who has scored more than two dozen Shapiro & Smith dances. Look for a new solo for Smith as well as the reprise of two favorites from 2010 -- the heart-pounding full-company work "Bolero" and laugh riot "Pat a Cake" featuring Megan McClellan and Laura Selle Virtucio.
