“Creatures of Sound” Explores the Connection of Dance & Music to the Human Spirit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michele Brangwen Dance & Music Ensemble
832 659-5096 www.brangwendance.org

“CREATURES OF SOUND” EXPLORES THE CONNECTION OF DANCE & MUSIC TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT

Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 16 at 7 p.m.
MIDTOWN ARTS & THEATER CENTER HOUSTON (MATCH)
3400 Main Street, Houston TX 77002
Tickets: $25-$35

Creatures Of Sound is a new dance and music work that tributes the ideas of composer and trumpeter Don Cherry, featuring choreography by Michele Brangwen, music by GRAMMY-nominated trumpeter & composer Tim Hagans, and movement and music created spontaneously in the moment by all performers. Don Cherry was interested in the relationship of music to the human spirit, and how music could be a force and a presence in our daily lives. The Michele Brangwen Dance & Music Ensemble invites the audience to join them for an original and magical exploration and celebration of what connects us to each other and the universe.

After becoming famous by playing with Texas saxophonist Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry traveled to Europe, the Far East and Africa, incorporating many different cultural musical influences into his composing and performing. In the late 1960’s and throughout the 1970’s, Cherry became known for his elaborate interdisciplinary collaborations with music, dance, and visual art, as well as his belief that art brings us to a place of unity.

Michele Brangwen writes: “I have wanted to do a work that tributes Don Cherry since I first saw the cover of his album “Symphony For Improvisors”…there were all these colors in his sweater and something about him radiated everything beautiful in life. The sweater was designed by the Swedish visual artist Moki Cherry who collaborated with Cherry on costumes, immersive environments and the incorporation of painting into performance. Cherry was interested in how art could have a profound effect on people – practitioners and audiences alike. It also feels to me like now is the right time to create Creatures Of Sound, especially in light of recent events. Cherry wrote about learning about hate as a young child. As artists I feel we need to do everything we can to counteract the wall of hate that is being erected in this country, and what better way than drawing attention to Cherry, a great artist who faced the wall of hate that he encountered with nothing but creativity and love.”

Creatures of Sound is performed by Adam Castañeda, Meredith Fages, Cristian Laverde König, Lindsey McGill and Michele Brangwen, dancers; Tim Hagans, pocket trumpet; Angela Wang, voice; Thomas Helton, bass; Sam Knight, drums.

Lighting design by Kris Phelps.  

The program will also include music by Don Cherry performed by Tim Hagans, trumpet & pocket trumpet; Angela Wang, voice & keyboard; Thomas Helton, bass; Sam Knight, drums, and special guest Warren Sneed on saxophone. The evening will conclude with the Michele Brangwen Dance & Music Ensemble’s wild and ecstatic “Unending,” a work inspired by the music of John Coltrane, with choreography by Michele Brangwen, music by Tim Hagans, and movement and music created in the moment by all performers.

The commission of Creatures Of Sound is made possible in part by funding from Catherine Gordon, Rufus & Doris Reid, and Joyce M. Freeman. Additional support for these performances was provided by the Cullen Trust for The Performing Arts, the Texas Commission On The Arts & the City Of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

The Michele Brangwen Dance & Music Ensemble is a contemporary dance and music ensemble featuring all new choreography and live original music in a performing environment where dancers and musicians break the boundaries of traditional ensemble interaction. In 24 years, every performance has included live music and the musicians as integral parts of the visual stage imagery. We believe that the artist’s role in society is to communicate, to challenge, to open a dialogue that can both unite us and inspire meaningful change. We function like a jazz band, and along with sections of choreographed movements and written music, we use improvisation that comes out of the form, concept, and emotional life of the work. The Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble is based in New York City & Houston.

“The choreographed elements of both the dance and score set up all players with welcomed improvised passages that only grew in intensity as the performance proceeded.” – Garland Fielder, Glasstire

“Lovely dancers & intensely focused musicians.” – Mindy Aloff, Dance Writer & Critic

Village Voice Choice, February 2017 – Elizabeth Zimmer, Chief Dance Critic, Village Voice

“A joy to watch.” – The Houston Press

Saturday, February 15 at 8 p.m.
Sunda,y February 16 at 7 p.m.
MIDTOWN ARTS & THEATER CENTER HOUSTON (MATCH)
3400 Main Street, Houston TX 77002
Tickets: $25-$35
https://matchouston.org/events/2025/creatures-sound
www.Brangwendance.org