Joel Hall Dancers at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion

Sep 2 2010 by Jo Henwood, Flintshire Chronicle

World renowned jazz dancer Joel Hall promises a breathtaking display of his work at the launch of LEAP 2010 dance festival next week.

Two performances by Joel Hall Dancers, at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton, Wirral, are the only European dates this year for the Chicago-based company of 12 dancers.

Hall, 61, will not dance but will lead a workshop for experienced dancers in authentic jazz dance practice and choreographic technique on Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5.

The dancers will perform some of Hall’s works which have not been seen in the UK for more than 20 years. These include the award winning In the Shadow of Nina Simone – a tribute to the legendary high priestess of soul – and Compassion, a commemorative work dedicated to the AIDS pandemic, danced by William Gill and Chip Payos.

Compassion was performed when the company was last in Liverpool and Hall decided to bring it back this time around.

He said: “The situation in the world has changed but not the compassion.”

Gill is also a choreographer and his work Flight is a fusion of jazz, ballet and African dance styles, danced by three women.

Hall’s style of jazz is based on its traditional African American roots and he has a broad understanding of ballet and contemporary technique.

“I use ballet technique within the jazz vernacular to enhance my idea or story,” he said.

Hall’s work appeals to all ages and El Gato Negro (1992) is inspired by club and house music. The work is about the all-night forays into the club world with the origins of house music at the Warehouse owned by DJ Frankie Knuckles.

Asked if he has any plans for retirement Hall replied: “My movement is a combination of all my 61 years. I have no intention of hanging up mine or anyone else’s dancing shoes!”

LEAP 2010 is a partnership between Merseyside Dance Initiative (MDI) and the Merseyside Dance Promoters Network (MDPN).

Tickets for Joel Hall Dancers on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7.30pm are £15-£18 (concessions £12-£15). Call 0151 666 0000 or visit the website: www.floralpavilion.com.