I happen to love eclecticism, but can’t help wondering: is it a symptom of our fractured and rapidly changing culture(s) or an appreciation of the huge amount of diversity available to anyone who is interested in and observes the many wonders happening in the world? Easily distracted and bored or more involved? I’ll go with the latter. There are those who sink themselves into one thing to the exclusion of all else, and often that is a necessary part of the creative process. Consumers are also prone to obsession, binge watching being a perfect example. But, with so much on offer, why limit yourself? Santa Barbara Dance Theater has presented varied shows for over 30 years and since Christopher Pilafian took over the helm it has continued to be a source of vital new and eclectic “modern” dance. Their most recent presentation “Distance and Desire” was a perfect example, with cutting edge new & recent choreography, a guest residency with doug elkins choreography etc. (seen here in September creating and performing “Kintsugi” for Danceworks Santa Barbara) and above all, some spectacular dancing. Strange and wonderfully engaging works by Josh Manculich and Yusha-Marie Sorzano led off the program and following intermission the Elkins ensemble performed their energetic and wholly original style of genre combining movements to a typically eclectic score, all inspired by Gabriel Marquez Garcia’s magic realism. The finale, Pilafian’s “Chanson,” featured the four superb current dancers of SBDT, Natalie McCall, Nicole Powell, Lauren Serrano and Robin Wilson, joined by 10 apprentice dancers drawn from the ranks of UCSB undergraduates to the accompaniment of projections and oh-so-French songs in the tradition of Piaf and Gainsbourg. Viva la danse!
