“Slaughter of the Innocents” by The Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble. Photo by Rishika Nath.
“The Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble is the living legacy company dedicated to presenting Anna Sokolow’s vast body of emotionally riveting works that are relevant to the times we live in and that touch the hearts of all people, everywhere,” said moderator Samantha Geracht (who is the Artistic Director of the company) with more than a hint of pride. “Anna Sokolow & The Reimagined Root of Anti-Fascist Dance” marked the arrival of Anna Sokolow’s and composer Alex North’s archives at the Library of Congress and can be best described as dance history in action.
…incredible program of recorded history and live dance…an enlightening and moving experience that not only provided entertainment but also served as an educational and inspirational reflection on important historical and social issues.
It took until the 1980s to re-discover Sokolow’s contributions when Geracht researched her works thought to be lost over the years. During COVID, she tracked down Alex North’s score to “Slaughter of the Innocents.” The result was this incredible program of recorded history and live dance. The performance was an enlightening and moving experience that not only provided entertainment but also served as an educational and inspirational reflection on important historical and social issues.
The free lecture demonstration featured performances by three company dancers, Ilana Ruth Cohen, Erin Gottwald and Margherita Tisato. Alone or together, these three women are conveyed deep emotions and the stark messages of Sokolow’s work through their movements. The choreography was reimagined to connect with contemporary audiences while still preserving the original intent and impact of Sokolow’s vision.
Bravo to Sokolow’s company dancers, followers, and supporters as they showcased the significance of the arts, and dance in particular, as a medium for social commentary and a catalyst for change. In “Slaughter of the Innocents,” the lament for Basque women suffering under Nazi aerial bombing, three women slump around on their knees, rising for solo bursts only to sink back down in rolling, swirling patterns. Even as a vision of debilitating grief, we felt a touch of positive energy in the work and, especially, female solidarity. Other movement was sweeping and danced full out. The dancers crisscrossed the stage with open arms as they tossed aside the imaginary evil by the Nazis.
What was particularly interesting in the solos were the hand gestures. At different times, each dancer placed her right hand upward in a religious sign, the left one in a fist to depict war. Together with the banging of the bass drum, it felt like a punch in the gut—something we might need to help end the world violence.
Ilana Ruth Cohen danced a solo from “Ballad in a Popular Style” to music by jazz artist Chick Corea (who wasn’t the original composer)—one of the rare dances that lacked a political bent. Once again it was the hand gesture that caught our attention as she shimmied across the stage, her right forefinger waving to the beat of the music. It looked like something from a jitterbug act at a Harlem night club.
During the post-show discussion, the dancers talked about finding themselves in Sokolow’s works. Just the fact that each dancer had only a photo of Sokolow in a flat pose and hoped to find a clue about how she danced moved from one pose to the next—based on the swirl of her skirt—was amazing. We left believing that we all could gain a bit of wisdom and inspiration from Anna Sokolow’s work. As one panelist pointed out, “Anna’s work is timeless and of our moment now!”
“Anna Sokolow & The Reimagined Roots of Anti-Fascist Dance” was a one-night-only performance on January 26, 2024 at the Coolidge Auditorium, The Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20540. For more information on Anna Sokolow, read her biography by Larry Warren, “The Rebellious Spirit.” Clips of her work can be found on YouTube. For more information on free events at the Library of Congress, go to loc.gov/concerts.
