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2009 Festival Events
Welcome to the 2009 Festival
Jacob's Pillow, America's longest running dance festival, is an incomparable experience. Every year visitors, dancers, choreographers, composers, teachers, experts and novices mingle, discuss and explore the art of dance with 50 dance companies performing on three Festival stages and through more than 150 talks, photography exhibits, dance classes and more. Enjoy an elegant evening of dinner and dance, take a morning class, or spend the day - it's up to you!
There are enough activities to fill an entire day. Experience dance from around the world in the Ted Shawn Theatre, America's first theatre built specifically for dance, and the intimate Doris Duke Theatre. Pack a picnic and watch a performance at Inside/Out, an informal outdoor stage featuring free showings of emerging dance companies and dancers of The School at Jacob's Pillow. Listen to artists and experts discuss dance and related topics in film, media, music, arts, literature and history at twice-weekly, free PillowTalks. Gain insight through Pre-Show Talks given before every ticketed performance and participate in weekly Post-Show Q&A sessions with artists just after they step offstage. Learn about the Pillow's 77-season history on a free Guided Tour of this National Historic Landmark. Watch renowned faculty work with emerging professional dancers of The School at Jacob's Pillow or take a dance class yourself.
The 2009 Festival season features a new take on Shakespeare with Radio and Juliet, a gorgeously contemporary ballet with music by Radiohead; a world premiere with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet by sought-after choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, with live music; the U.S. premiere of Jean-Claude Gallotta's witty and soulful Des gens qui dansent; and a program of Ulysses Dove's powerful dances, by Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Hip-hop will take the stage full force with Rennie Harris Puremovement, and Martha Graham star Fang-Yi Sheu introduces her new company LAFA & Artists in its U.S. debut. It's impossible to think about dance without Merce Cunningham, who changed the very idea of the art form and has been associated with the Pillow since 1955. The Pillow celebrates Cunningham's 90th birthday with performances and special events.
Artists from all over the world - from the most iconic masters to break-out talents - make the Pillow the exciting place that it is. But the other key part of the experience is audience participation, curiosity and enthusiasm for how dance brings everything to life. We welcome you to visit, explore and dive into dance at the 2009 Festival!
