INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Journeys to who we are

Fathers and Sons
Dance Kaleidoscope
Indiana Repertory Theatre
May 15-18

Indianapolis’ culture does not nurture boys and young men to choose the rigorous dance training that’s truly more physically and mentally challenging than are most sports. Further, dance training and dance performance generally require a personal commitment of time and finances beyond what is expected for sports. David Hochoy spoke with the fathers of four of Dance Kaleidoscope’s male dancers for the program Fathers and Sons, incorporating their comments with a film projection and setting movement to allude to the culture and to showcase the individual strengths of each dancer. “I Never Danced for My Father” is autobiographical for Hochoy. His memory of being carried to bed by his father and feeling so safe provides the arc.

For George Salinas, dance is part of his culture’s everyday life and life cycles, yet dancing as a job is not accepted. Salinas’ father speaks not of his son but of his own father, after whom he looks.

Matthew Sparks’ father recalls his own father’s lack of support for his school activities and how that influenced his own attendance at Sparks’ plays and music events. “I remembered my dad didn’t come. Matt wants us to be proud of him and we are.”

Tanner Hronek’s father also cited family support as essential. “We tried to support him and he appreciates that.”

Kenoth Shane Patton’s father cites integrity as essential to being professional. “Do what you want to do and do it very well. I never had any doubt he would succeed. I think he was instilled with a sense of honor. I am very, very proud.”

Scott Deal composed and played the music.

Nicholas A. Owens and Gregory Manning II reprised their muscular, daring, fast-paced Kenyetta Dance Company work, “Children of Lights,” centered on helping one another.

Hochoy’s “Seasons,” a metaphor “to help us observe and understand our own existence within a larger context,” closed the program. Since its 1993 premiere, “Seasons” has grown in depth and intensity, especially for the potentially scarring adolescent years — a summer of hell on earth. “Fall” shows what we do with what we’ve learned or failed to learn. “Winter” is the cycle back to “Spring”  — death required for rebirth.

At the start of the concert, Patton received recognition for his 10 years as a DK company member.