Raphael Xavier
In residence: june 29 - July 12
Distilling the art of Breaking to its purest form, Raphael Xavier (pronounced ZAH-vee-ay) takes this movement vocabulary to uncharted territory. For the past 20+ years, Xavier has explored Breaking as social, physical, and mental “movement.” He has forged an exceptional approach to improvisation—expanding both dancer and audience expectations—and cleared the path for those interested in Breaking as an artform. Xavier is a multifaceted creator who draws inspiration from his many talents in dance, music, photography, and writing. His original works are a transcendent mix of poetry, precision, and spontaneity.
He returned to The Yard to continue creating XAVIER'S: The Musician and The Mover, which highlights the traditions of freestyle and improvisation in both Breaking and Jazz. He was joined by a saxophonist, bassist, pianist, percussionist, and dancers.
“The most exciting thing about the residency is getting back to what we THINK will be normal. Having the opportunity to focus on the creation of a work means more now than it ever has. I’m sure this residency will re-fuel me. I’m looking forward to being in the space with the performers and musicians to really build with each other. And being at The Yard means a lot by itself. ”
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The presentation of Raphael Xavier was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
The Yard is a Partner of the National Performance Network (NPN). This project is made possible in part by support from the NPN Artist Engagement Fund. Major contributors include the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For more information visit www.npnweb.org.
Photos courtesy of Raphael Xavier