PRESS

 

 

"One of The Top 25 To Watch for 2007" - DANCE MAGAZINE

AUDIENCE and CRITIC REVIEWS for Rulan Tangen and DANCING EARTH

"Rulan Tangen’s choreography has been recognized as “an unusually successful fusion of modern dance and Native American movement”, as well as “combustible”, “a tangible quality of breath”, “beautifully realized works.”  (Credit: Janet Eigner for the SANTA FE REPORTER)

“The University of California/Riverside, and the Ford Foundation, sponsored a “Red Rhythms” conference that mixed and matched an impressive array of traditional Indian dancers with contemporary ground breaking choreographers. The skilled traditional dancers, and the contemporary indigenous dancers and choreographers, were often one and the same.

It was a first time ever event, a powwow of another kind. The conference had everything to do with renewal. Something else was being born; concrete, fresh, imaginative choreography—in one form or another…[The] Red Rhythms Conference and Showcase was not only about a single thrilling performance by ten aboriginal choreographers. It is about the love and sweat of dozens of native dancers struggling to create a contemporary expression that is valid for them and exciting to us. Pay attention, world! Mother Earth has birthed a new life: aboriginal contemporary dance.

The mainstay of Red Rhythms Dance Showcase was the amazing Rulan Tangen, who today represents the best of the professional and humanistic aspirations of the emerging contemporary aboriginal dancer/choreographers. Ms. Tangen has gone the route of so many dancers—ballet corps dancer, modern dancer, teacher of young children, solo dancer and choreographer...Rulan danced beautifully in an opening solo, ‘The Naming’.˝(Credit: Rosalie Jones (Daystar) for “Scene 4”)

 “Dancing Earth was a refreshing performance.  Rulan Tangen has managed to embrace modernity in her performance while still honoring and respecting her sacred traditions.  It fused traditional form and content with modern dance, Afro-Brazilian music and dance, and Latin American influences as well.  Musician/Dancer Quetzal Guerrero gave his own hybrid flavor to the work with his original compositions and dancing….Rulan and her company are elegant, professional, creative and inspiring.  I hope to see more of their work in the future.”( Laurelann Porter, Artistic Director, Sopa Americana Festival of Solo Performance of the Americas)

 “I found it to be interesting both in content and context, a fascinating exploration of living traditions. Awesome.”(Ilona Dougherty, Choreographer, ilona@actionthroughart.com)

 “MAGNIFICA!”(Susanna Baca, UNESCO’s Living National Treasure of Peru, after the DANCING EARTH performance at Teatro Nunes, Brasil)

“The evening of dance, music, visual and sound scape was truly inspiring about the humanity and potential of all people.  The energy between the dancers, musicians, and audience was dynamic and explosive, leaving us all breathless, dancing, invited to participate in The Dream of us all—vibrant life. Memories are alive in our veins!” (Credit:  Jennifer Foerster, IAIA graduate)

"The performance was IMPRESSIVE" –Jesus Hernandez, director NPTV channel

"I received many positive comments from members and perspective members on the beauty of the performance and effectiveness of the event."
–Carmen Guerrero, Alliance of Latino Arts and Culture Membership Chair

"Your passion to connect with our community was clear, thank you again."
–Erlinda Torres, President, ALAC Board of Directors

"Thank you for this and your wonderful presentation!"
–Naomi Jackson, Ph D.  Instructor of Global Dance History Class at Herberger College of Art and Design ASU

"The performance today was brilliant-I was profoundly moved as well as uplifted. You bring beauty and strength to our community."
–Joe Baker, Director of Community Engagement

"Thoroughly enjoyed today's performance.  The choreography was beautiful and your dancing was sublime"
–Professor David Martinez, American Indian Studies ASU