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Hallelujah!

The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange partners with local troupes to develop
a special project about the Detroit community.

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SUZANNE CHESSLER

assumptions about
what art can do,"
explains Lerman, who
ong before the
went to Interlochen
Liz Lerman
Arts Camp and holds
Dance
bachelor's and master's
Exchange steps
degrees in dance. "My
onto a stage in a new
own background was
city, the invitation to
first classical, but I
return usually is in the
was raised in a very
works. That's because
political family. My
the troupe connects
father tied his whole
with area dance organi-
Jewishness to social
zations, merges ideas
action, and when I
and styles and prepares
was growing up that
for fresh programs to be
was the definition of
presented down the line.
being Jewish."
Lerman holds on to
To make her dance
none of the traditional
programs more mean-
dancer stereotypes so her
ingful, Lerman adds
troupe welcomes diversi-
narrative, usually co-
ty in culture, age and just
written with perform-
about everything else.
ers. Her use of older
She intends, however, to
dancers, including
never abandon quality in
Jewish immigrants
the mix of any perform-
from Russia, began
ance.
with a number she
When Lerman's com-
choreographed about
pany appears Saturday,
her family,.
Nov. 4, at Detroit's
"I still perform
Music Hall Center for
occasionally," Lerman
the Performing Arts, it
says. "I turned 50 the
will be the dancers' first
Chorographer Liz Lerman's use of older dancers, including Jewish immigrants
same year Israel
Michigan engagement.
pom Russia, began with a number she choreographed about her family.
turned 50, and I have
Under the sponsorship of
a solo about that. It is
the University Musical
text and movement
Society in Ann Arbor, the
formal concert. In the concert, we're
based.
troupe will schedule planning and
not really addressing the question yet,
"Being Jewish informs much of
rehearsal sessions with regional dancers
but it's a chance for people to get to
what I do. I've been invited by syna-
and return next fall to present a fresh
know us."
gogues to be artist in residence for a
production that includes lots of local
The upcoming performance will
weekend and do participatory prayer
color.
focus on issues important to southeast-
services so that everyone can move in
"Detroit is part of a national project
prayer.
ern Michiganians, such as labor,
called 'Hallelujah,"' explains Lerman,
women growing old and the environ-
"I think that dancing is an incredi-
53, who established her Maryland-
ment, and includes four pieces: Still
ble activity for communities to do
based dance company in 1976. "The
Crossing, Gates of Praise; excerpts from
together because it's a very connective
company and I are going into different
the "Hallelujah" project; and Bebe
way to be with people. You can be
communities around the country ask-
Miller's Blessed. Also on the program
with groups, but you also can be by
ing people what they want to be in
will be dancers from an all-city men's
yourself in the midst of a group."
praise of
dance group led by a teacher at
"We basically do a lot of listening in
Detroit's Cass Technical High School.
hopes of discovering something partic-
The men's group, as well as Harriet
The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange
ular about the place we are visiting
Berg's Festival Dancers, based at the
will perform 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov.
and then we make dances that come
Jewish Community Center, will be
4, at Music Hall Center for the
from that. I have come to Ann Arbor-
among those connecting with Lerman
Performing Arts in Detroit. $27.
Detroit a couple of times, and now
for next year's show.
(734) 764-2538.
we're kicking off the next stage with a
"We've been challenging a lot of

Special tothe Jewish News

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