On May 24, fifty five years ago, butoh dance was birthed by Tatsumi Hijikata in Daiichi Seimei Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Trained in European modern dance and ballet, Hijikata was part of a rebellious nationalist movement joined by artists occupying the streets of Japan. The piece was inspired by a homoerotic novel by Mishima of the same name, Forbidden Colors.
Since butoh has spread worldwide. It is an improvisational form, so each culture, and each individual brings their own spirit. One is Diego Piñón from Mexico. Piñón has studied with Kazuo Ohno, Hijikata's early collaborator, who performed into his 90's, Min Tanaka, famous for wild performances by students working on his rice farm, and Natsu Nakajima, one of the first female butoh performers. The influences of each are evident in Piñón's work. He also brings a relationship with the landscape, nature and shamanistic traditions of his homeland.
Piñón travels internationally performing. Over years he has attracted students who perform in his ensemble under the umbrella Body Ritual Movement. Tonight Sheri Brown, Amelia Burns, Leslie Castellano, Mizu Desierto, Nathan Montgomery, Christopher Mankowski, & Kevin Cochran, many of whom have worked with Piñón for more than ten years join him on stage.
Diego Piñón and Body Ritual Movement at the Headwaters Theater - information and tickets link: www.witd.org/service/diego-pinon-and-the-brm-dance-ensemble/diego-pinons-north-american-brm-dance-ensemble/, 55 NE Farragut St. #9. The theater is in the back of the building by the active railroad tracks facing Winchell Street. Map 7:30PM. Students $12, $15
