JACKSON, WY — Malpaso in Spanish literally translates to “bad step,” or “misstep.”
But the Cuban dance company’s movements are far from mistaken. On the contrary, each and every step is a calculated, choreographed expression of the company’s mission to bring “Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st century.”
“Clearly, they have already arrived,” the Pittsburg Examiner raves.
Malpaso is bringing a taste of Cuba to Jackson Hole July 14-21. You have five chances to experience their magic: at the Dancers’ Workshop Gala Benefit July 18, for a free Cuban Fiesta in the Park July 19, another evening performance July 20, plus an open rehearsal and afro-cuban dance class!
Malpaso’s is a story of contradictions and collaboration — because only through collaboration can you reconcile differences in the world, says Malpaso’s Executive Director Fernando Sáez Carvajal. For one, they are a contemporary dance troupe from a country that was, until recently, frozen in time and trapped by its history. So Malpaso found contemporary, world-renowned choreographers to bring their artistry into the 21st century. The troupe will perform Indomitable Waltz by Canadian choreographer Aszure Barton and Tabula Rasa by Ohad Naharin on The Center stage.
“Collaborations are the best way of transcending your own assumptions,” Carvajal says.
That’s also exactly why Dancers’ Workshop Artistic Director Babs Case invited Malpaso to Jackson. Isolation is perhaps what Jackson and Cuba have in common, she says, and that makes it especially important to invite artists from around the world to our small town. But the world we live in and the world Malpaso comes from are otherwise completely different.
“There’s a lot of contrast between where they come from and where we are,” Case says — which means we have a lot to learn from each other.
The job of an artist is to challenge perceptions of reality — both their own, and the audience’s. Malpaso achieves this through international collaboration, but also through movement. This is contradiction number three. Malpaso’s movement combines grace and power in ways that are almost unfathomable. The dance is energetic, but fluid. They are a contemporary dance troupe, but their movement is also deeply rooted in traditional ballet.
“With joints like liquid, they seem to float on and off stage without a single sound. But like most ballerinas, the articulation through their limbs was as precise as a puzzle,” the Pittsburgh Examiner writes.
Their performances put to bed the idea that “contemporary dance is too cerebral to be fun to watch,” echoes the Miami New Times.
Malpaso is bringing a taste of Cuba to Jackson Hole July 14-21. You have five chances to experience their magic: at the Dancers’ Workshop Gala Benefit July 18, for a free Cuban Fiesta in the Park July 19, another evening performance July 20, plus an open rehearsal and afro-cuban dance class!
“I just really hope people come and see them, and feel the passion of Cuba,” Case said.
Their Thursday night performance is part of the Dancers’ Workshop Gala Benefit, which also includes dinner on The Center lawn and an after-party with live salsa band Sin Miedo. Tickets range from $50 for just the show to $25,000 for a full premium table.
Tickets to Saturday’s show are $50-$60 for adults, $25 for students.
Malpaso and Dancers’ Workshop will also host a free Cuban Fiesta at The Center Park and an Afro-Cuban dance class. Check out the full schedule of events here.
