Malashock Dance and Art of Élan Present Lifeblood Harmony in La Jolla

For the first time ever, Malashock Dance and Art of Élan are collaborating to present three evenings of original choreography set to live music by three of today's most exciting and appealing contemporary composers: David Bruce, Judd Greenstein and Osvaldo Golijov.  

Greenstein belongs to that hip and quirky handful of artists in Brooklyn who are redefining New York's music scene and often referred to as "indie-classical."   

The performances at the Mandell Weiss Theatre are presented in partnership with the UCSD Department of Theatre and Dance.  Artistic Director John Malashock will choreograph three original works featuring ten dancers who will share the stage with six Art of Élan musicians. This is the first time that Greenstein's and Bruce's works have been set to dance.  

The performances promise to be intense and challenging—musically, physically and dramatically. Both organizations are committed to the blending of ideas, talent and creative influences to find true harmony.

About the Composers and Compositions

"At the End of a Really Great Day" by Judd Greenstein
The title comes from something that Greenstein's friend Eve said about their friend Emily, who was killed in a tragic accident. Emily was a talented person with a beautiful, infectious spirit, and was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. The community that rallied around her life, once it was taken away, was incredible, and its attitude and energy wound up making its way into the piece. Eve said that she died the way you'd expect her to, "at the end of a really great day." At the end of a really great day was commissioned by the Seattle Chamber Players.

"Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind" by Osvaldo Golijov 

Born into an Eastern European Jewish household in Argentina in 1960, Grammy award-winning Golijov is rapidly becoming one of the most influential composers of this century. Having left his homeland to live in Israel, as well as the United States, where he currently resides, Golijov writes in a style that is both unique and worldly, drawing on the traditions of many countries, cultures, and centuries. This work traces his journey alongside that of the historical figure "Isaac the Blind," whose message he describes as follows:

"Eight centuries ago Isaac the Blind, the great Kabbalist rabbi of Provence, dictated a manuscript in which he asserted that all things and events in the universe are product of combinations of the Hebrew alphabet's letters.  The movements of this work sound to me as if written in three of the different languages spoken by the Jewish people throughout our history (Aremeic, Yiddish and Hebrew.) This somehow reflects the composition's epic nature. "

"Gumboots" by David Bruce

Born in Connecticut to parents of English and Welsh descent, David Bruce is becoming increasingly popular for commissions on both sides of the Atlantic, as his music seems to have a variety of influences, drawing from the wild dances and laments of gypsy music, as well as flamenco, klezmer and other folk traditions. He has received recent commissions from Yo-Yo Ma's "Silk Road Ensemble," the San Diego Symphony, as well as Art of Élan.  

• $45 - Preferred Seating
• $35 - General Admission
• $25 - UCSD Alumni, Faculty, & Staff, Military
• $15 - Students

General seating discounts available for groups of ten or more.

For tickets and more information go Brown Paper Tickets or call 1-800-838-3006.

$100 - Harmony VIP Package Saturday, April 19th only. Includes Pre-show reception at the theatre with Composer, Judd Greenstein, preferred seating, post-show dessert party. Purchase tickets for this VIP event ONLY by contacting Jnelson@malashockdance.org or calling 619-260-1622.