Notes in Motion's Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre

Having Their Vegetables and Eating
Them, Too
By LAUREL GRAEBER
Making the First Move
Choreography may not be a familiar term to many children. But put them in a room with catchy music, and most seem to know innately that the road to fun is traveled one joyous step at a time.
That will be the premise on Sunday, when children will get in touch with their inner Twyla Tharps — and adults with their inner children — at a family day presented by Notes in
Motion, a New York dance troupe.
"We'll develop a dance in front of the kids," said Amanda Selwyn, the company's artistic director, "and they will actually come onstage to invent new movements."
The afternoon will begin with a five-minute welcome dance by the troupe, who will then explain how choreographers come up with ideas. Using recorded pieces by Don Nelson, Tuatara (a jazz ensemble) and the Balanescu Quartet (a chamber group), the company will
create a work, using the children's (and, perhaps, brave parents') contributions.
Notes in Motion will perform the dance, and members of the audience will enroll in their
choice of postshow workshops in drama, dance or visual art. The art program will look into how clay or sketches can record movements. "We also use props in our dance, and that's where the drama comes in," Ms. Selwyn said. The grand finale will include demonstrations, conversation and something everyone will appreciate after an hour of physical and imaginative leaps: refreshments. - The New York Times

Polished and promising was Selwyn's "Hold On," an experiment in partnering and human connection that had unusual interactions and coordination between dancers -- leaning against hips, shoulders, heads, and ankles.

--Shannon Marin Brady - The Village Voice