Nejla Yasemin Yatkin Dance (NY2Dance) presents Oasis

Chicago Cultural Center  >  DCASE Theater & Dance  >  Oasis

This new piece for 7 dancers is an evening length multi-media dance theatre work conceived and choreographed by Nejla Yatkin. Original music is composed by Iranian American composer Shamou and Video Design is by Patrick Lovejoy.

Oasis is centered on a juxtaposition between the desert and the oasis. Similar to mystical realism in literature, the piece exists in multiple realities - magical elements blend seamlessly with the real world meaning that the "real" and the "fantastic" exist in the same stream of thought.

Through the prism of desert/oasis and magical/real, the piece explores issues of identity, veiling, torture and spirituality, moving through what is familiar; what is imagined or mythical, what is actual; what is out of the Middle East and what is inside it. The desert can be experienced as beautiful and exotic even as it is harsh and potentially lethal. The Oasis is an almost dreamlike element, just the idea of which sustains life--even in its most vulnerable state.

Ms. Yatkin is after more than choreography.

She is a magician, telling tales and creating worlds with understated images and movement. - New York Times

“Everything about Nejla Yatkin’s newest dance is bold: It addresses challenging subject matter through movement that is daring in construction and assured in its execution.” – The Washington Post

Nejla Yasemin Yatkin Dance (NY2Dance)

NY2Dance short for Nejla Yasemin Yatkin Dance

NY2Dance is a Non-For -Profit contemporary dance theatre company based in the US. Under the artistic direction of Nejla Y. Yatkin, NY2Dance blends strong technique and physicality with a dynamic mix of multi-media and theatricality to deliver performances full of integrity, expression, and vitality.

NY2 Dance is the name given to Nejla Y. Yatkin’s vision:

1) to explore the topics of identity, transformation, migration and multiculturalism;

2) to create works that reflect the complexity of human existence, that tap the essence of what is  common within all humanity and to embrace spirituality as a guiding force, a point of  communication as well as reflection;  

3) to collaborate with other artists from various disciplines from around the world; and 

4) to preserve the works of master choreographers.

Collaborators:

• Concept, Choreography, Direction by Nejla Y. Yatkin
• Music by Shamou
• Video Design by Patrick Lovejoy
• Lighting Design by Ben Levine
• Costume Design by Ursula Verduzco and Nejla Y. Yatkin
• Set Design: Kevin Rees
• Text by Nejla Y. Yatkin
• Dancers: Shay Bares, Sevin Cevinker, Fadi Khoury, Rachel Holmes, Jean -Rene Homehr, Karina Lesko, and Nejla Y. Yatkin

Voices by Shamou (Haci Dede), Lydia Myers (Ayse), Heike Bachmann (Fashion show), Fatima, Martin Noack (News cast) and dancers.

Movements: Some of the movements created in collaboration with dancers

Ayse and Haci Dede shadow animation: Iga Pusalski and Julien Smasal

Project Assistant: Ling Tang

DCASE Theater & Dance
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) presents an ongoing performing arts series that showcases both emerging and established music, theater, dance and multi-disciplinary artists at the Chicago Cultural Center and other venues. Dedicated to capacity building in the arts, DCASE hires the artists and provides performance space as well as technical and marketing support.

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Dates:
Thursday, October 31-Saturday, November 2, 2013

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Hours:
Thursday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Sunday at 2pm

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Location:
Storefront Theater
66 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60602

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Admission:
FREE 

RSVP:

ny2danceoasis.eventbrite.com

Due to limited space reservations are highly encouraged.

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Website:
For more information, visit ny2dance.com.

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Public Transportation:
For travel information, visit www.transitchicago.com