RI Premiere of Heidi Henderson Dance piece @ United Skates of America

RI Premiere of Heidi Henderson Dance piece @ United Skates of America

Motion State Arts presents the Rhode Island premiere of untitled sad piece by Heidi Henderson / elephant JANE dance, set to the music of The Carpenters, on Thursday, November 7 at 7:00pm at United Skates of America in Rumford, Rhode Island.

Examining the sensation of a sinking heart, featuring quiet solos, touching duets, and a wild burst of galumphing, dancers respond to the deep sadness in the grain of Karen Carpenter’s voice, initiate from their hearts, and find tenderness. The cast includes phenomenal dance artists Sara Gibbons (NY), Tristan Koepke (ME), Edward Rice (NY), Christina Jane Robson (DC) and Henderson.

This singular performance takes place at United Skates of America, a beloved roller-skating rink in Rumford, Rhode Island, just minutes from downtown Providence. Audience members are encouraged to dress in 1970’s attire and can skate after the show, for an additional fee. 

For tickets, starting at $20, and more information, visit: www.motionstatearts.org

In addition, Heidi Henderson will be teaching a post-modern dance class on Sunday, November 3 from 12–2pm at Metamorphosis (246 Roosevelt Ave. Pawtucket). The class, with special guest accompanist Albert Mathias (CA) will feature large loopy phrases, paying deep attention, and finding joy. Admission is $20. Click here for registration and more information.

“When I revisit The Carpenters’ music, the songs I sang along to on my transistor radio as a teenager, I notice the sadness in Karen Carpenter’s voice,” said choreographer Heidi Henderson. “When my dancers and I started working with the music, one of my dancers gave me Karen Tongson’s Why Karen Carpenter Matters, a memoir that speaks about the connection to Karen Carpenter’s music and persona in the queer community of the Philippines. This piece explores love, sadness and connection, all wrapped together and intertwined with the songs.” 

Henderson’s work has been performed at the South Bank Centre in London, several venues in New York City, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Festival and The International Festival of Dance in Taegu, Korea, along with stages in every state in New England.

Heidi Henderson lives and makes work in RI, is a Professor at Connecticut College, and danced in NYC (in the companies of Bebe Miller, Nina Wiener, Peter Schmitz, Sondra Loring, Colleen Thomas, Paula Josa-Jones, etc.) Her pickup company, elephant JANE dance, performs mostly in New England. She has received, five times, the Fellowship in Choreography from the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts.

Heidi Henderson untitled sad piece, image credit Motion State Arts