Nozama Dance Collective’s ‘N2’: Nimble Pivots

“Pivot”, in the metaphorical sense of shifting course to adapt — it’s become a bit of a dance world cliché over the course of COVID (and yes, there’s a sort of obvious pun there, too). All humor aside, Nozama Dance Collective’s N2 made me think of that sense of pivoting. For one, it’s the Boston-based company’s first program since leadership shifted hands — to the new Artistic Director Dana Alsamsam.

For two, the performance was to take place outdoors — in a park, lush with summer growth — but Mother Nature had other plans (namely, a storm). The company successfully, and quickly, moved the performance to a local studio with a suitable performance space. Through that night’s program, the company showed what it means for artists to not only make it work, but thrive and evolve, in the face of real-world shifts and uncertainties.

Kicking off the program was the thought-provoking and layered White Noise, choreographed by Juliana Willey in collaboration with the dancers. The dancers walked in patterns, wearing simple black costumes at thigh and elbow length. Gradually, purposefully, the choreography layered in more intricate and rigorous movement. A score of white noise, appropriately enough, accompanied them (Labrinth’s “Forever”).

In both unison into non-unison phrases, the movement became more expansive, accented and energetic. Traffic pathways, putting moving bodies in conversation with each other without touching, became increasingly compelling. That idea has been prescient in this last year and a half; how can we find connection and be in sync when physical proximity isn’t possible?

Read more @ https://www.danceinforma.com/2021/08/24/nozama-dance-collectives-n2-nimble-pivots/