In development for two years, SALT is conceived and choreographed by artistic director Anne-Marie Mulgrew. It features longtime collaborator Carmella Vassor-Johnson’s video art and an eclectic soundscore ranging from pop to new-age, opera to electronica to 20th century new music as well as the sound of salt hitting different surfaces.  Dancers clad in white and assorted dancewear move through a portable set consisting of two huge galvanized silver tubs and pounds of salt demarcating the stage space.  SALT showcases talented company dancers — Elrey Belmonti, Joseph Cicala (founding member), Frances Gremillion, A. Mulgrew and Rebecca Patek joined by newcomers Leslie Ann Pike, Sydney Schneir and Kathryn Speer.

Inspired by Mark Kurlansky’s fascinating book, “Salt, a World History,” SALT, investigates sensations, memories and rituals associated with salt, a vital component in the functioning of cells.  The work examines salt’s cross-cultural connections and its primal role in humankind. Facts such as; the ancient Egyptians included salt in the tombs, European women in the middle ages salted their husbands to become more virile, the mythical Chinese ruler Huandgi presided over the first salt war and in Japan, salt was sprinkled over the stage to protect the actors from evil spirits, served as trigger points for Mulgrew’s examination and infatuation with salts’ power, influence and impact.

A preview appeared at the Community Education Center last June.  The choreography features eye-catching lifts, weighted drops and suspensions as well as solo, duet and small and large ensemble sections.  SALT incorporates music by Elliott Sharp, Prem Joshua, Rick Wakeman, Biddu Orchestra, Matt Haimovitz, George Bizet among others. The evening-length production will include 12 distinct dancetheater vignettes interspersed with live and recorded video projections.

Ms. Mulgrew and Ms. Vassor Johnson’s recent collaborations include: Three Ladies in Waiting, a site-specific work with video projections on a building for Philly Fringe 2004, The Lemon Lady, an installation featuring  3,500 lemons and a video titled Citrus Limon created during a Choreography for the Screen program at Jacob’s Pillow which premiered at Philadelphia Live Arts 2003 and Excerpts from the Yard, a series of video and dance sequences developed during a monthlong residency at Martha’s Vineyard which premiered at Philly Live Arts 2001 and The Painted Bride 2001.

SALT
Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Company
Saturday, May 23 at 8pm and Sunday, May 24 at 3pm
Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students/seniors and dance professionals. Tickets can be purchase by calling 215-925-9914 or visiting www.paintedbride.org.

MORE ABOUT ANNE-MARIE MULGREW AND DANCERS CO
Known for its “highly imaginative” and “visually arresting” dance theater works and unusual collaborations, ANNE-MARIE MULGREW AND DANCERS CO (AMM & DCO) is an experimental modern dance troupe based in Philadelphia, PA.  AMM & DCO was founded in 1986 by artistic director/founder Anne-Marie Mulgrew.  Ms.  Mulgrew created over fifty-seven works in 260 performances for the company that have been seen nationally and in Canada.  These works have appeared on traditional and nontraditional stages, film/TV, and festivals. Venues include Mandell Theater, The Painted Bride, Movement Theater International, UARTS/DrakeTheater, Chester Springs Studio, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia Fringe/LiveArts Festival, Conwell Dance Theater, Group  Motion, CEC,  and The Philadelphia Cathedral and Buddies in Bad Times Theater (Toronto Canada), to name a few.  In NYC, AMM & DCO has performed at DanceSpace, Movement Research, the DIA Center, University Settlement House and UBU Repertory Theatre.

AMM & DCO holds the distinction of being the only Philadelphia troupe to appear twice at the fFIDA Festival in Toronto, Canada. The company consists of 5-7 core dancers, collaborating artists in mixed media, and additional community-based performers for large-scale works.  Fusing modern dance, theater, music, technology and art, AMM & DCO charms, provokes and informs audiences of all-ages with its insightful and wacky views of the world.

AMM & DCO is actively involved in dance education through ongoing classes, workshops, special projects, consultations and residencies. The company has conducted 55 residency programs. Highlights include:  a 20 day residency for Reiffton School (Fall 2008), a 40 day residency for the Owen J. Roberts School District (Spring 2008),  a prestigious month-long Artist-in-the-Schools residency at Chilmark Elementary School, The Yard, Martha’s Vineyard (2001), 20 days in residence at Stafford Intermediate School, Manahawkin NJ (2005), 10 days in residence Elmer Elementary School, Elmer NJ and 10 days in residence Spring Garden Elementary School, Phila., PA (2006). In addition, under the guidance of Ms. Mulgrew the company directs Professional Teacher Development Workshops in association with Appel Farm, NJ Arts Council and PA. Arts Council through Philadelphia Arts-in-Education Partnership (PAEP).

AMM & DCO is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization AMM & DCO’s mission is to educate and involve the public in the performance and creation of new interdisciplinary dance works through performances, workshops, residencies and special projects.