Contemporary Dance Guaranteed to Blow Your Mind

A duet with a man in wheelchair and one that was on the most popular TV dance show will be some of the featured performances when a highly acclaimed San Francisco dance troupe makes a stop in Santa Cruz this weekend.

Scott Wells & Dancers are leaping their way to Santa Cruz for a special performance of “PARKOUR DEUX” at the Motion at the Mill downtown. AXIS Dance Company will also perform at the event hosted by Santa Cruz Dance Company.

Wells' work with contact improvisation has been described by Dance View Times as "often hillarious, sometimes fierce, but always respectful of the concerns of the general public so that the audience in Peoria would feel they had something at heart in common."

Abra Allan, founder and director of the Santa Cruz Dance Company, is more than excited to bring these companies and their talents to Santa Cruz.

“Each of these companies has achieved great recognition and acclaim over the years in the Bay Area and we feel honored and privileged to present them in the intimate setting of Motion at the Mill,” said Allan.

“For contemporary dance enthusiasts seeing a group like Scott Wells & Dancers perform a work like this in a space where the back row can hear the dancers breathing is an exciting and inspiring way to witness art.”

Choreographer, Scott Wells, will be presenting “PARKOUR DEUX” on both Friday Nov. 2 and Saturday Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. His work redefines Parkour in the lightly humorous, energy-packed piece that fuses contemporary dance with acrobatics and the athletically demanding maneuvers of Parkour.

“The work is undeniably charming in its humor and magical in the subtleties that the dancers bring to their "characters". The relationships of the performers, coupled with the skill in movement make for work that is ultimately a treat to witness,” said Allan.

For Scott Wells & Dancers, who just celebrated their 20th anniversary as a company, performing in Santa Cruz is enjoyable and rewarding.

“I lived in Santa Cruz in the '80s and went to Cabrillo and UCSC, so I just always loved Santa Cruz,” said Wells. “I’m always happy to go back and be there. It’s just a fun place to perform with open people.”

AXIS Dance Company, also performing this weekend, showcases dancers both with and without disabilities. The duet performing will be presenting Sebastian Grubb’s “The Narrowing,” which was also recently performed on the popular FOX show So You Think You Can Dance.

The troupe warns: "Leave your preconceptions at the door." This performance will be like nothing you have seen before.

Allan recognizes the importance of having dance in the community and the benefits it brings to the audience.

“Santa Cruz is, compared to many, a very participatory community which is illustrated by diversity of dance classes,” said Allan. “For some dancing is about expression, for others it’s fitness and health. Dance is big part of some people's spirituality, and for others it's a social context, or just a fun time.

Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission, $18 for seniors and students with and ID, and $25 for people who wish to contribute more in support of bringing dance to the community. For tickets and more information, visit www.santacruzdance.com.

Scott Wells will be teaching a workshop Saturday, November 3 from 1:00-4:00pm. Contact Motion Pacific Studio to register.