LDP Company performance: July 27~30, 2011 at 8pm / July 30~31, 2011 at 2pm

Ted Shawn Theatre

‘Korean Men Dancing’ Free Talk: July 30, 4pm, Blake’s Barn
Korean Traditional Music and Dance Institute free performance: July 28, 6:15pm, Henry J. Leir Stage
(358 George Carter Road, Becket, MA)

"Raw energies in the service of smartly structured ensemble movement and striking visual concepts" - The Oregonian

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and the Korean Cultural Service NY co-present a weeklong celebration of dance from Korea, including six performances by the outstanding contemporary dance company LDP/Laboratory Dance Project, a free performance by the Korean Traditional Music and Dance Institute (July 28, 6:15PM), the free talk “Korean Men Dancing” (July 30, 4PM), and much more.

Founded in 2001 by the ambitious young choreographer Chang Ho Shin, LDP/Laboratory Dance Project is an award-winning dance company that specializes in highly energized and physically charged dances. Now a decade old, LDP has earned global recognition, becoming the first Korean dance company to be invited to perform at the Venice Biennale twice in a row. In November 2010, it participated with other Korean dance companies in a major European tour Korea-a-Moves, performing in Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, Stockholm, London and Frankfurt, among other cities.

LDP will be performing a variety of works during the Korea week, including Modern Feeling (a duet crafted from contact improvisation, break dance, and martial arts, which won the Grand Prix award at the Seoul International Choreographer Festival in 2008) and the high-octane No Comment (in which seven men leap, lunge, flip, and fall in acrobatic euphoria).

Also, on Saturday, July 30 at 4pm, there will be a free PillowTalk titled Korean Men Dancing, examining gender roles in dance. Company personnel will express their views and consider traditional and artistic norms for men and women in Korean and American societies.

Finally, on Thursday, July 28 at 6:15pm, Korean Traditional Music and Dance Institute brings a rich program featuring Korean traditional costumes, drumming, and dance at the beautiful outdoor stage.

Jacob’s Pillow, celebrating its 79th anniversary in 2011, is a National Historic Landmark and home to America's longest running international dance festival. The Festival includes more than 50 national and international dance companies and 300 free and ticketed performances, talks, tours, exhibits, and events. On March 2, 2011, President Obama honored Jacob’s Pillow with a National Medal of Arts, the highest arts award given by the United States Government. Jacob’s Pillow is the first dance presenting organization to receive this prestigious award.

Tickets for LDP performance are between $43.50 ~$64.50. For other events, it is free admission. For more events, tickets, video, and additional information, please visit http://www.jacobspillow.org or call 413-243-0745. To watch the highlight of the performance, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wNFK5zKOHo

Korea Week at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival featuring LDP (Laboratory Dance Project)