–Asheville Scene, January 19, 2024.
Light has always played a pivotal role in Parsons Dance. Of course, that’s to be expected for a company co-founded by a lighting designer and a choreographer.
In 1982, David Parsons, a dancer and choreographer, and his good friend, Tony Award-winning lighting designer Howell Binkley, created the stunningly surreal solo work, “Caught” — playing with the audience’s perception of reality through the use of strobing lights and timed leaps, simulating a dancer’s flight across the stage.
As far as the audience can tell, “they never touch the ground,” Parsons said. “I wanted it to feel like the dancer was flying” — almost as if in a dreamlike state. “Most people have had dreams of flying, and that was the connection I wanted to make.”
“Caught,” which laid the groundwork for the duo to launch their own company just three years later, is one of six works Parsons Dance will bring to its downtown Asheville performance, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26 and 27, at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
“Mr. Binkley went on to light another 80 of my works,” including three additional pieces to be performed at the Asheville program, said Parsons, who now serves as the company’s artistic director. “So, everything we created uses lighting in a big way. Unfortunately, my friend passed away two years ago.” But his influence and legacy at the company lives on: “Light is my muse.”
A newer work under the spotlight at the upcoming performance, “The Road,” captures the stories and emotions of a group of people as they go through life, both together and apart. Set to the music of folk artist Cat Stevens — with its concept inspired by the musician’s 1970 hit “On the Road to Find Out” — “The Road” follows the dancers’ movements in a single direction, from stage right to stage left, a visual representation of the passing of time.
“You get the feeling that these dancers are on a journey together,” Parsons said. “Because we’re all on a journey. We’re all on a road in some sense, whether it’s a physical road, an emotional or a spiritual road. It’s a very simple idea, but it makes a big emotional impact because of the artistry of our performers.”
Other works to appear on the Asheville stage are “Swing Shift,” which Parsons said explores the power of partnering; “Finding Center,” a duet set to the music of contemporary composer Thomas Newman; “Thick as Thieves,” a brand-new piece by guest choreographer Penny Saunders; and “Whirlaway,” Parsons’ ode to New Orleans: an excellent way to close out the evening, he said, “with the vibe of a big party.”
Parsons, who started his career as one of the original dancers in MOMIX, said that, for him, dance is exhilarating — and he hopes his audiences leave Parsons Dance performances feeling the same way. “With everyone streaming entertainment on every device possible right now, it’s easy to forget the importance of a live performance,” he said. “This art form has been around for a long time. It’s something that I really cherish. And making that connection between the artists and the audience, the ability of these two groups to interact after a performance: It’s an incomparable experience.”
IF YOU GO
Parsons Dance
8 p.m. Friday & Saturday, Jan. 26 & 27
Diana Wortham Theatre
Connect with the art and artists
- Dance workshop with David Parsons: January 27 at 3:30 p.m. For dancers ages 16+. Open level. Limited available. Learn more and register
- Pre-show discussions: Nick Kepley, managing director of Stewart/Owen Dance, will lead pre-show discussions with David Parsons, January 26 & 27 at 7 p.m. in Henry LaBrun Studio. For ticket holders.
