The Dallas Chamber Symphony will kick off its 2015-2016 season on Tuesday, October 13 in conjunction with opening night of Dallas VideoFest 28, with a screening of the ultimate silent, science-fiction movie classic METROPOLIS, accompanied by a new film score. The event will also feature live representations of the film’s setting and characters through an interactive, multi-dimensional dance component presented by Southern Methodist University’s Division of Dance, choreographed by Christopher Dolder. Tickets to this one-of-a-kind experience can be purchased at https://www.DCSymphony.org/concert-tickets/201516-season-schedule/METROPOLIS/.
Bart Weiss, artistic director of Video Association of Dallas and founder of Dallas VideoFest, on creating a collaborative and unique Opening Night event of Dallas VideoFest 28
“Each year, VideoFest stretches the boundaries of what a media festival can do. Building on last year’s successful collaboration with the innovative Dallas Chamber Symphony, we knew we wanted to do something with them that was bolder and bigger.
“At last year’s Festival, we showed a video that Chris Dolder made with ‘The Rites of Spring;’ and after seeing a performance of his work at SMU, I knew we have to create the opportunity to do something really special.
“Chris’ work is profoundly new, incorporating video and new technology and rooted in traditional dance. His work is a perfect match for VideoFest and the Dallas Chamber Symphony.
“The have seen many events that have had commissioned or improvised music to a silent feature, but, to my knowledge, nobody has done it with live dance as well.
“METROPOLIS is not just a silent film; it is the silent film. It has sparked a whole universe of science-fiction films about working class vs. management class and has also had an influence on design and architecture. With every generation, this film is rediscovered. Its stories and themes are as relevant now as where they were put film. The film has influenced many filmmakers and the imagination of our culture, we are still afraid of robots becoming human and what that means.
“This event will be a treat for your eyes and ears. It is something that will be done only once and only in Dallas.”
Richard McKay, Artistic Director and Conductor for the Dallas Chamber Symphony on the collaboration and season opener:
“Each year, we try and accomplish something new, and more daring. While we have found success in that endeavor by incorporating visual elements at our concerts, through collaborations with outstanding groups such as VideoFest and The Bruce Wood Dance Company, there are new frontiers we are interested in exploring. It is our ensemble’s adventurous culture that has motivated the DCS to start the season with METROPOLIS – by far, the most complex and expansive production we have ever created.”
Incorporating SMU DANCE
The film is also strikingly balletic – the repetitive synchronism of the working poor, as well as the film’s portrayals of dance and artificial intelligence. It is this quality that appealed to Bart Weiss, VideoFest’s Artistic Director, and Christopher Dolder, Associate Professor of Dance at the Meadows School of the Arts, Southern Methodist University.
“METROPOLIS lends itself to a multi-disciplinary collaboration,” says Dolder. “The trick for us will be to create a cohesive experience, where the new score and the dance element serve and enhance the film without distracting. Ambience, and an otherworldly atmosphere will be created not only by the music, film, set and dancers, but also by the strategic projection of video elements from the film, isolated onto the dancers, and set. I intend to bring a certain level of contemporaneity and physicalized reality to the nearly 90-year old silent film with the hope of weaving a humanistic commonality between the ’then’ and the ‘now’.”
THE SCORE
The screening will also feature a new, original score from renowned film composer Brian Satterwhite. Austin-based Satterwhite has partnered with the DCS in the past with his critically acclaimed compositions for 2012’s “A Sailor Made Man” and 2013’s “The Cabinet of Dr. Cagliari.”
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The performance will be held on Tuesday, October 13th, 2015 at Dallas City Performance Hall (2520 Flora Street, Dallas, Texas 75201). It will start at 8:00 p.m.
Single performance, individual tickets: $19-$55 each
$15 for students
VideoFest Badge holders
Star Badge holders:
and VIP Tickets ($120):
Includes premium seating and a pre-event reception backstage with the artists at 7:00 p.m. with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
All invited the after party hosted by Proof + Pantry, across the street from the theater, with appetizers for all patrons who would like to meet the composer and performers.
For event information and VideoFest passes, visit www.videofest.org.
To purchase individual tickets, visit https://www.DCSymphony.org/concert- tickets/201516-season-schedule/METROPOLIS/ or call (214) 449-1294.
