“I would proclaim the World Premiere of Takehiro “Take” Ueyama’s Somewhere Familiar Melodies a great success. All I can say is never count on Take Ueyama to do the expected! He takes movement and sculpts it into unique statements of expression; they are never cliché and always original.” – NYC Dance Stuff

Photo Slideshow

Choreography: Takehiro Ueyama
Music: Frédéric Chopin, The Drifters, Kyu Sakamoto, Momoe Yamaguchi, Kenji Sawada, Yuri Shimazaki, Eiji Miyoshi, Yuzo Kayama, Yousui Inoue, Chage & Aska
Lighting: Randi Rivera
Costumes: Jesse Dunham
Premiere: April 12, 2013 at Joe’s Pub in New York, NY
Produced by DANCENOW Joe’s Pub

Past Events Can Be Ignited by a Host of Sense Memories – Sight, Scent, Place, Sound

After the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, I felt that my heart was torn apart by the tragedy and devastation to my country and my people. Wanting to reflect back on all my childhood memories in Japan that gave me joy, I found myself listening to the music that flooded my ears through records, radio and television during the 70’s and 80’s, creating a window back into my childhood in Tokyo. Nostalgic memories of time spent with friends and family in my country came rushing back with each song. Using these popular Japanese songs, In Somewhere Familiar Melodies, I am taking a moment to dream of the past for a little while and remember the Japan I grew up in.

*made possible by DANCENOW Joe’s Pub and a DANCENOW Silo Artist Residency