Stray Cat Plié? Bassist Lee Rocker contributes music to new ballet project, “Gather Round”
The worlds of rockabilly and ballet collide in a new collaborative dance production that features a performance by the Complexions Contemporary Ballet company set to three songs from Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker‘s recently released solo album, Gather Round.
The filmed presentation, also called “Gather Round,” was commissioned by California’s Laguna Dance Festival and will get its premiere as a free, online event that will be streamed on April 25 starting at 5 p.m. PT.
The performance will feature three short dance duets set to a trio of Rocker compositions — “Gather Round,” “The Last Offline Lovers” and “When Nothing’s Going Right.” As a press statement notes, the pieces will salute rockabilly music while celebrating “the joy of living life, in all of its complexities.”
“Gather Round” will be part of a full-length ballet that will be performed by the Complexions company in 2022 in Laguna Beach, California.
“I’m thrilled and honored that the Complexions modern ballet company has chosen to choreograph and dance to music from my newest album Gather Round,” says Rocker. “In previous years, Complexions has created groundbreaking performances featuring the music of David Bowie and Lenny Kravitz. Thank you for the incredible choreography, dancers, and concept.”
You can check out a trailer for “Gather Round” at Vimeo.com.
Following the screening, a discussion about the film featuring Rocker, choreographer Dwight Rhoden, the dancers and others involved in the production will premiere at 5:30 p.m. PT. Reservations are required, and can be procured for free at LagunaDanceFestival.org.
Gather Round Trailer from Laguna Dance Festival on Vimeo.
By Matt Friedlander
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