Inbal Pinto Dance Company October 11, 2008

8 pm Saturday, Oct. 11 and 2 pm Sunday, Oct. 12

Israel's acclaimed Inbal Pinto Dance Company creates an eerily beautiful world within a snowglobe with its evening-length work "Shaker," presented by San Francisco Performances.

With "Shaker," Co-Artistic Directors Inbal Pinto and Avshalom Pollak have created a new dance-theater work that is reminiscent of their previous acclaimed productions -- "Oyster," "Boobies" and "What Good Would The Moon Be" -- yet completely unique. To a soundtrack of music by Purcell, Chopin and Gavin Bryars, as well as Japanese songs and Swedish folk music, the work mixes a variety of dance styles with polished theatrical production values.

In addition to two full-length performances (8 p.m. Saturday October 11 and 2 p.m. Sunday October 12) the Company will also present an hour-long Family Matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 11, also at Novellus Theater at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Part of a new generation of Israeli choreographers, Pinto and Pollak formed Inbal Pinto Dance Company in 1992. They are known for weaving fantasy, drama and comedy into their work, which they create from start to finish including soundtracks, set designs, costumes and makeup.

Born in Israel, Inbal Pinto began as a dancer with the renowned Batsheva Dance Company. In 1990, she moved to dance-making and was invited to the American Dance Festival to take part in its International Choreographers Program. In 2000, she won a Bessie, the New York Dance and Performance Award, for her creation "Wrapped."

Also born in Israel, Avshalom Pollak is the son of well-known Israeli actor Yossi Pollak. Trained as a classical actor, he has appeared in many films and television programs, as well as theater productions. Roles have included Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" and Cassio in "Othello."

$39/$27.

Official Website: http://www.performances.org