Tonight kicked off the Dance Under the Influence series at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in Columbus Circle, an  intimate monthly performance of trios of choreographers (curated by Valerie Gladstone). This was my first time at MAD, and certainly, dance concerts at museums are nothing new. However, I found out during intermission that the lecture hall's stage was only about six feet deep, and not an intentional artistic choice by the choreographers to stage everything on the apron! However, the challenging space afforded the companies to focus on solos and duets, while highlighting the artistic intersections that influence their work.

Tonight's performance included several small music-driven vignettes by Jennifer Muller, a playful duet from Ballet Hispanico featuring music by Titi Puente, and an excerpt from Heidi Latsky's GIMP, an examination of dance and disability.

Jennifer Muller/The Works:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KvOLICvVyc]

The GIMP Project

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRctuuwgifE]

Check out the rest of the lineup, which includes Ben Munisteri, Sean Curran, Michele Wiles, Andrea Miller, and David Parker. Dance Under the Influence runs through May 2011.