MICHELE BRANGWEN DANCE & MUSIC ENSEMBLE
2025 WINTER-SPRING SEASON BEGINS!
February 15 at 8 p.m.
February 16 at 7 p.m.
MIDTOWN ARTS & THEATER CENTER HOUSTON (MATCH)
3400 Main Street, Houston TX 77002
Tickets: $25-$35
Click the link for tickets:
https://matchouston.org/events/2025/creatures-sound
CREATURES OF SOUND
A new work that tributes the composer and trumpeter Don Cherry featuring choreography by Michele Brangwen, music by GRAMMY-nominated trumpeter & composer Tim Hagans, and music & movement created spontaneously in the moment by all performers.
Dancers:
ADAM CASTANĚDA
MEREDITH FAGES
CRISTIAN LAVERDE KÖNIG
LINDSEY McGILL
MICHELE BRANGWEN
TIM HAGANS, pocket trumpet
ANGELA WANG, voice
WARREN SNEED, saxophone
THOMAS HELTON, bass
SAM KNIGHT, drums
Don Cherry was interested in the relationship of music to the human spirit, and how music could be a force and a presence in our daily lives. Join us for an original and magical exploration and celebration of what connects us to each other and the universe. Lighting design by Kris Phelps.
The program will also include music by Don Cherry performed by Tim Hagans, trumpet & pocket trumpet; Angela Wang, voice & keyboard; Thomas Helton, bass; Sam Knight, drums, and special guest WARREN SNEED on saxophone. The evening will conclude with the Michele Brangwen Dance & Music Ensemble’s wild and ecstatic “Unending,”a work inspired by the music of John Coltrane, with choreography by Michele Brangwen, music by Tim Hagans, and movement and music created in the moment by all performers.
The commission of Creatures Of Sound is made possible in part by funding from Catherine Gordon, Rufus & Doris Reid & Joyce M. Freeman. Additional support for these performances was provided by the Cullen Trust for The Performing Arts, the Texas Commission On The Arts & the City Of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.
More about Don Cherry & Creatures Of Sound:
After becoming famous by playing with Texas saxophonist Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry traveled to Europe, the Far East and Africa, incorporating many different cultural musical influences into his composing and performing. In the late 1960’s and throughout the 1970’s, Cherry became known for his elaborate interdisciplinary collaborations with music, dance and visual art, as well as his belief that art brings us to a place of unity.
Michele Brangwen writes: “I have wanted to do a work that tributes Don Cherry since I first saw the cover of his album “Symphony For Improvisors”…there were all these colors in his sweater and something about him radiated everything beautiful in life. The sweater was designed by the Swedish visual artist Moki Cherry who collaborated with Cherry on costumes, immersive environments and the incorporation of painting into performance. Cherry was interested in how art could have a profound effect on people - practitioners and audiences alike. It also feels to me like now is the right time to create Creatures Of Sound, especially in light of recent events. Cherry wrote about learning about hate as a young child. As artists I feel we need to do everything we can to counteract the wall of hate that is being erected in this country, and what better way than drawing attention to Cherry, a great artist who faced the wall of hate that he encountered with nothing but creativity and love.”
Photo of Don Cherry photo by Francis Wolff
The Gallery below contains photos of Faces Of Sun & Wind at the MATCH in 2024 by Pin Lim
Above Images by Pin Lim of FACES OF SUN AND WIND
2023-2024 SEASON OF PERFORMANCES:
FACES OF SUN AND WIND:
Dancers:
MEREDITH FAGES
CRISTIAN LAVERDE KÖNIG
LINDSEY McGILL
MICHELE BRANGWEN
JON IRABAGON, saxophone
TIM HAGANS, trumpet
THOMAS HELTON, bass
SAM KNIGHT, drums
IVESIAN ARTS presents
MICHELE BRANGWEN DANCE & MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Friday September 8, 2023 at 7:30 P.M.
JAMES & MARTHA DUFFY PERFORMANCE SPACE
MARK MORRIS DANCE CENTER
3 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11217
THE JAZZ LOFT presents
MICHELE BRANGWEN DANCE & MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Saturday September 9, 2023 at 7:00 P.M.
THE JAZZ LOFT
275 Christian Avenue
Stony Brook, NY 11790
FRAME X FRAME FILM FEST
To Your Constant Embrace, The Cloud Stream Sways
Choreography & Editing by Michele Brangwen
Music by Danielle Reich
Tuesday November 7 at 12:00 p.m
FRAME DANCE
2426 Bartlett St. Ste. D | Houston | 77098
MASTER CLASS WITH THE MICHELE BRANGWEN DANCE & MUSIC ENSEMBLE
February 2024
Come and dance to live music with us!
DA CAMERA OF HOUSTON &
MICHELE BRANGWEN DANCE & MUSIC ENSEMBLE
PRESENT A MASTERCLASS WITH SAXOPHONIST & COMPOSER JON IRABAGON
MARCH 7, 2024
Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
MICHELE BRANGWEN DANCE & MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Friday, Saturday & Sunday March 9 & 10, 2024
MATCHBOX 2, Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
3400 Main Street
Houston TX 77002
Please Click Here For Tickets!
FACES OF SUN AND WIND inspires us to think on the power of one person linking their energy to another, as in a microgrid set up to deliver renewable energy to a community that has united to generate it. The mircrogrid is also a perfect metaphor for how activism can start with just one person and grow to the power of the many working for meaningful change. FACES OF SUN AND WIND features choreography & costumes by Michele Brangwen and music by Jon Irabagon, with sections of movement & music created in the moment by all performers. The performance is co-presented by Ivesian Arts.
Michele Brangwen writes: “When the Amazon labor union leader Chris Smalls was asked “what is the single most important component of activism,” he replied: “to start from a place of love.” When you think about it, that quote is quite powerful. We have a lot of work to do to combat the climate crisis. I don't think we are going to mobilize in the ways in which we need to if we approach it from a place of shame or anger, but instead I think the progress will come from a place of love: love for each other and love for the earth. In creating FACES OF SUN AND WIND I wanted to create a work that would surround the audience with a feeling of welcome.”
The program will also include UNENDING, a work inspired by the music of John Coltrane, with choreography and costumes by Michele Brangwen, music by Grammy-nominated composer & trumpeter Tim Hagans, and movement and music created in the moment by all performers. UNENDING follows the form of a traditional jazz tune, with set choreography and music to the head and bridge, and then improvised duets for dancers and musicians during the choruses.
FACES OF SUN AND WIND is made possible in part by funding from the Mayor's Office Of Cultural Affairs/City Of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, the Puffin Foundation and New Music USA. And by donors like you. Please click here to join us.
