TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Kristen Borstelmann (left), choreographer Karen MacIntyre and Maria Seniw perform “Tale of the Grass People” to the words and music of CitiZen One, a piece that disavows the emptiness of modern culture in favor of a life of meaningful simplicity. The Triad Dance Ensemble performed at Sullivan County Community College on August 7. (Click for larger image)

Triad dance ensemble moves its audience

A review by
RICHARD A. ROSS

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — The dance troupe ranged in age from eight to nearly seventy and the pieces varied greatly in form and sound, but constants in the Triad Dance Ensemble production of “Moving Right Along” included fine choreography, exceptional dancing and enchanting rhythms.

Choreographer Karen MacIntyre, formerly of Yulan and now a resident of Denton, Texas, returned to host a summer of classes and to stage her annual performance at Sullivan County Community College on August 7.

This year, she brought to the stage an enticing mix of pieces, five of which she choreographed.

Peruvian Victor Meza, who originally hoped to perform in the show, choreographed the opening piece, “Bienvenidas.” MacIntyre used a videotape sent by Meza to restage the 45-minute piece into a six-minute excerpt. Featuring dancers Ronda Barber, Kristen Borstelmann, MacIntrye and Maria Seniw, the dancers entered a space and “auditioned” themselves into eventual oblivion.

“Space Dog,” a song by Tori Amos, provided a chance for dancer Daria Miano to move rhythmically to the choreography of Roger Dunson. According to Miano, the dance is an expression of coming to terms with past experiences and moving on. Miano’s movements conveyed sensuality and emerging empowerment.

In “Tango to Evora,” MacIntyre and Ronda Barber brought to life choreography MacIntyre created last spring in response to one of her favorite pieces of music. The piece conveys the idea of coming together with someone but still being alone.

	Contributed photos by Alan McGill Maria Seniw, Kristen Borstelmann, front, Karen MacIntyre and Ronda Barber opened “Moving Right Along” with “Bienvenidas” (excerpt), a dance choreographed by Peruvian Victor Meza. (Click for larger image)

New to Triad this year was dancer Keith Bambrick whose stylistic movement to Holst’s “Neptune” from “The Planets” showed his lyrical movement and his own choreography.

The first half of the show closed with “Tale of the Grass People,” a highlight of the show that flowed from the words and music of CitiZen One. Borstelmann, Seniw and MacIntyre became “tribal” in their enticing adaptation of a piece that advocates the forsaking of “modern emptiness” for the simplistic truths of a more natural existence.

“Trio for Five,” choreographed by MacIntyre for “people of our age,” featured a series of dancing trios that show evolving interest in one another. “I’m left alone at the end because I am very fickle,” MacIntyre said.

“Four Seasons (Summer)” was choreographed by Thea Brauer to the music by Vivaldi. Performed by Brauer, Ronda Barber and Stephanie Thomas, the piece was an energetic and captivating ballet.

“From the Heart,” choreographed by MacIntyre, was an incredibly romantic piece featuring herself, Seniw and Borstelmann. “It’s about how we guard our hearts,” said MacIntyre.

In “A Thousand Beautiful Things,” choreographed and performed by Ray Smith to the music by Annie Lenox, the audience got a chance to see the extraordinary flexibility of the troupe’s oldest dancer. A mix of yoga-like contortion, the sad piece seemed to evoke a death and resurrection.

The show closed with pulsating African drum rhythms courtesy of locals Tama and Talli Jackson. Their syncopated drumming featured cameos by Nadege Hoeper and Sanannah Lust.

Laurie Stuart and Karen MacIntyre joined the drummers in a piece based on African moves. “It’s a piece about joy,” said MacIntyre. That joy was contagious as the audience clapped and moved to the drums and swaying dancers, who each performed solos.

The energetic array of dancers Triad continues to highlight in creative dances range in age and experience, but they combine to form a powerful and entertaining creative unit.