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Duke Arts Presents

Artists-in-Residence: Companhia Urbana de Dança

Thursday, November 6, 2014 | 12:00 pm


Artists-in-Residence Events: Companhia Urbana de Dança

— Companhia Urbana de Dança: Aesthetics & Activism in Brazilian Dance —
Duke anthropologist and capoeira instructor Katya Wesolowski moderates a public discussion with Sonia Destri Lie, artistic director of Companhia Urbana de Dança, and members of the company, exploring the state of contemporary Brazilian dance and the role of activism in the company’s work.

Thursday, November 6, 12 PM
The Ark, 14 Epworth Lane, Duke East Campus, Durham
Free & open to the public

— Companhia Urbana de Dança: Open Rehearsal —
Companhia Urbana de Dança hosts an open rehearsal for members of the general public.

Thursday, November 6, 8 PM (*Note: Attendees should arrive at the Reynolds Theater lobby by 7:50 PM)
Reynolds Industries Theater, Duke West Campus, Durham
Free & open to the public

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Virtuosic dancers from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro fuse hip-hop, samba, capoeira, and contemporary dance in the boldly imaginative choreography of Sonia Destri Lie’s Companhia Urbana de Dança, one of the most exciting new ensembles on the world stage. “The seven young men and one woman in this Brazilian hip-hop group are almost shocking in their individuality and physicality” (Dance Magazine).

Destri Lie deconstructs the thrilling kinetic expressions of street dance and shapes them into theatrical tableaux. “Classic hip-hop moves are visible — the rippling of arms, the rolling on backs — yet they have been stretched and shaped into something new” (New York Times). Companhia Urbana de Dança elicit a sense of euphoria wherever they perform; the San Francisco Chronicle raved that “this troupe from Brazil is an absolute marvel of gritty physical energy.”

Made possible, in part, with support from the Dance Program at Duke University and the Duke Global Brazil Lab.