About the Company

DANCING CRANE GEORGIAN DANCE THEATER
ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Theater is a group of 25 dancers, singers and musicians involved in the presentation of traditional performance arts from world cultures. The company specializes in the dance and music from Georgia, the former Soviet republic, and is committed to studying and accurately representing the folk traditions and their evolution into contemporary forms.

Our work involves practicing, presenting and transmitting to others the living cultural legacy of the folk arts. All dances and music are performed with strict adherence to the traditions, evolved over centuries. At the same time our work is part of the living tradition and includes contemporary interpretations by traditional artists.

The Dancing Crane company has been active since 1996. Its director is long-time Warwick resident Victor Sirelson, formerly of the Aman Folk Ensemble of Los Angeles. The Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Theater is a result of his dream of bringing the beauty and wisdom of authentic and ancient traditions into his community and of building a bridge between this old culture and modern American society. With this aim in view, the ensemble has been formed as a unique mix of local talent and professional performers from Georgia, rehearsing and performing together with its base in Warwick, New York.

The company includes some of the best performers from Georgia. The dancers are led by choreographer Vladimer "Dato" Goderidze. Like many of Georgia’s best dancers Dato began dancing at a very early age, joining Tbilisi's professional childrens ensemble at the age of 7. He has soloed for many years with Georgia’s top ensembles as well as doing choreography for Tbilisi’s Metekhi Ensemble. The musicians are led by Vano Goderdzishvili, known for his mastery of the folk instruments and traditional songs. He is a member of the Kolkheti Ensemble, which is considered one of the best in all of Georgia.

Our Repertoire—Georgian Dances & Music

The small country of Georgia in the heart of the Caucasus region has developed a dance tradition which rivals classic ballet in its demanding and refined technique, but which has a style all its own, containing strength, elegance and graceful movement evolved over centuries. The music, played on traditional folk instruments is based on ancient modes which help distinguish the dances as among the most beautiful in the world. The company presents dances and songs in authentic costumes from all regions of Georgia. Performers excel in the virtuoso leaps, turns and especially the traditional tseruli or mens dancing on the toes. The repertoire includes Parikaoba mountain dances with swords, the elegant Osuri court dances, the ancient Samaya women's dance, the city dances of the Kinto and Karachokheli, the refined women's dances with elegant hand movements including Jeirani and Mukhambazi, as well as the regional folk dances such as those from Acharia and Svaneti. Songs and music represent all traditional Georgian genres, including folk music in the various local regional styles, church songs, city songs, romances and contemporary estrada as well as songs from the Georgian classic and opera repertoire. Music is performed on traditional instruments.

Focus

Our aim is to bring together audiences of all types with a vivid experience of traditional culture. Our concerts, workshops and presentations give a sense of living art, engaging children and adults of all levels of cultural awareness.
Our work is based on long years of experience in our art together with an active program of Music and Dance Research, Archiving, Recording and CD Production.

Recent Venues:

Paramount Theater, Middletown NY
CTMD Crossing Bridges Concert -Kaye Theater, NYC
Battery Park Downtown Dance Festival, NYC
Diamond Dance Festival, Washington, D.C.
Georgian Celebration, Rutgers University
Russian Nobility Ball, Grand Plaza Hotel, NYC
Queens Theatre in the Park, Queens, NYC
Montgomery Chamber Music Series, Montgomery, N.Y.
Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center, New York City
Warwick High School Theater, Warwick, NY
Fresh Dance Concerts, SUNY New Paltz, NY
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, NYC
Helen Hayes Theatre, Nyack, NY


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