Photo by Randl Bye & Melissa Sobel

Dancefusion, a West Philly-based dance company, was founded by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Bye who grew up in Powelton Village. Celebrating 35 years this year, the company will be presenting ENVISIONS at the Philly FringeArts Festival in collaboration with The Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble from New York City.

The program will feature both companies with three performances on September 9 at 7:00 p.m. and September 10 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street in Philadelphia.

Dancefusion will present two pieces by Pauline Koner, a visionary dancer and choreographer. Concertino (1955) is set to music by Unico Wilheim van Wassenaer. The dance, using the flavor of court dances, depicts a Lady and her ladies-in-waiting in three facets of the Lady’s life. The second work is an excerpt from Koner’s monumental solo The Farewell (1962), set to Gustav Mahler’s The Song of the Earth. Dancefusion will add a third innovative, fun work for the company, Forces in G: Ode to a Ball, choreographed by Rachel Kantra Beal to music by J.S. Bach.

Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, known for radical works that dissolve the boundaries between theater and dance, will present excerpts from two masterworks that showcase Sokolow in artistic dialogue with beloved painters. Magritte, Magritte (1970) is inspired by the painting of the Belgian artist Rene Magritte. Frida (1997) is an intimate portrait based on Sokolow’s personal relationship with Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Tickets are available here.

Dancefusion is a modern dance repertory company dedicated to both the reconstruction of historic works from America’s rich record of modern dance, and the creation of innovative work. Over 35 years, the company has presented annual home seasons and numerous dance and teaching residencies including its dance education programs, fusion2 and the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center. The company has reconstructed historic works by such legendary choreographers as Mary Anthony, Anna Sokolow, Pauline Koner and more, and has also presented new works by the Artistic Director, company members and guest choreographers.

Dancefusion has presented nationally and internationally, including the American Dance Guild Festival and 92nd Street Y in New York City, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, and the past 12 years at the FringeArts Festival in Philadelphia.

The Dancefusion/Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center is located in Powelton Village (3611 Lancaster Ave). For more information, go to: www.gbyedance.org. Information on the 2022 FringeArts Festival (Sept. 8 – Oct. 2) is available here.