2008 Handful Series

Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10 @ Floorspace

originally published May 7, 2008

Nestled inside the rickety walls of the Chase Street Warehouses is Floorspace, founded in 2005 by Julie Rothschild, Laura Glenn and Lisa Yaconelli. Of the many programs that Rothschild has nourished is the Handful Series - productions of contemporary dance and improvisation. The latest Series event will feature a plethora of local performers, in addition to the appearance of Deirdre Grant, the Artistic Director of Myriad Dance in Wexford, Ireland.

Grant, who will perform a new solo work entitled Authenticity, met Rothschild last October, and the duo continued its collaboration throughout “the creative process,” leading up to Grant’s upcoming performance in Athens. Rothschild believes Grant “explores the emotional, psychological, cellular and cultural space conflicts between reality and fantasy.”

Joining Grant for the 2008 Series will be Lisa Yaconelli, who will grace the stage with a segment inspired by the emotions rising from the life and death of her father, Mike Yaconelli. The piece will feature music by local talent, Jay Nakashi.

Maryn Vance will also showcase a new work swirling around an original composition by Jonathan Vance. Eight DanceFX performers will join Vance, providing a “sneak peek” of future projects, including Snowscape, which draws support from UGA’s advanced research in the arts program, Ideas for Creative Exploration (ICE).

Laura Hoffman will join the festivities, also presenting a new solo work. In addition, Kate Schoenke will present a multimedia solo performance. Three of Rothschild’s students will interpret the compositions of local cellist Heather McIntosh, who “joined the dancers in the studio recently to record the sounds of their movements,” says Rothschild.

The 2008 Handful Series takes place May 9–10 at Floorspace in the Chase Street Warehouses at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10–15 ($5 for kids) and are available at the door. For more information visit .

Blair Rivkin