Without Borders

Kanopy’s “Without Borders” honors Mexican born José Limón who electrified the world as one of the 20th century’s most influential dance makers. In its 50th season, Kanopy is proud to recognize Limón, a stellar talent in the constellation of powerful immigrant voices that have shaped our cultural landscape.

As a choreographer, Limón created a legacy of expressive modern dance, and he believed we should “revere and conserve, but not embalm, the treasure of the past.” In that spirit, guest artist Colin Connor, who describes his work as “rooted in the mystery of how we live in our physical beings,” presents his choreography in “Flying in the Face of Time,” inspired by the rhythms and shifting atmospheres of Beethoven’s turbulent masterpiece “Grosse Fugue.” Seven mesmerizing dancers rhythmically dive into the depth of the unknown, exploring their moments in time.

And guest artist Daniel Fetecua-Soto creatively reconstructs Limón’s epic “Suite from A Choreographic Offering.” Set to J.S. Bach’s intricate composition, it is a luminous tribute to Limón’s mentor, Doris Humphrey, intertwining motifs from her transformative choreography in a baroque symphony of solos, duets, quartets and ensemble pieces.

Fetecua-Soto recalls how a dancer described the humanistic vision expressed in Limón’s work: “I don’t remember all the steps, but I remember how it feels.” Fetecua-Soto also performs his original solo “Fansié Sinak Chipwany” (“We Are Still Here”), informed by Limón, and sensitively rooted in Colombia’s indigenous Muisca culture.

It’s all Limón in a performance that will capture the imagination!