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Created and Directed by Sheetal Gandhi. Contrapuntal percussive dance and stirring vocalizations come together in this highly rhythmic performance blending Kathak, Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance forms. Composed by Derrick Skye and Ian Smith and enhanced by live music from bassist Mark Gutierrez, Gandhi and Mohanty investigate issues of personal justice and identity, the imperative of breath, and the repercussions of race-fueled violence.

Liquescent Crystal 2 took place in and drew inspiration from the beautiful Cottle-Radziner residence in Venice, CA, designed by architect Radziner. The piece was comissioned by Radziner. Music Composed By Derrick Skye Synchronized Swimming Choreographed By Sue Nesbitt

Against the Dark of Night. Three mysterious figures move against an alien landscape as the encroaching darkness threatens their extinction. One generation gives way to the next in a growing ritual of awareness and reaction. This is a story as ancient as the fear of the dark and the necessity to triumph over adversity. Set in an alien landscape, Against the Dark of Night is modern creation myth, exploring themes of disaster and renewal; fear and hope for the future of the next generation. Director: Mariel McEwan Choreographer: Jia Wu Dancers: Jia Wu, Maya Gingery, Michen Liu, Rosemarry Candelaria, Eva Aymami Cinematographer: Daniel Brockett, Sergio Palermo Composer: Derrick Skye, Special Effects: Jake Abrams, Sergio Palermo Editor: Mariel McEwan

Ascent. Persephone struggles upwards, bringing Spring with her arrival. Perhaps… the persistent spirit of a woman endeavors to free herself from restraint and repression and struggles from confinement to freedom, from darkness to the light of renewal. Music composed by Derrick Skye, Choreography by Maya Gingery and Mariel McEwan

This contemporary kathak choreography investigates sam in North Indian rhythmic tradition.  Sam means to conjoin or come together, and refers to the moment where the first and last beats of the metrical cycle merge, where musical tension is released and begins again, where union and loss coalesce. choreography: Cynthia Lee in collaboration with the dancers music composition: Derrick Skye and Ravindra Deo dancers: Sheetal Gandhi, Cynthia Lee, and Shyamala Moorty musicians: Ravindra Deo (tabla) and Chelsea Lumley (clarinet) Note: the current version has been rescored for cello and tabla. www.cynthialinglee.com

A film by Kingsley Irons and Bryan Koch. Starring Tulani Weeks. Music by Derrick Skye. Created for Dances Made to Order. Visit www.dancesmadetoorder.com to see more films.

Grain. Starring Tida Sripanich with music by Derrick Spiva Jr. Created for the Dances for Everyday Life series for Dances Made to Order – free, one-minute, dance films inspired by small moments. www.dancesmadetoorder.com