Monica Bill Barnes & Company June 2, 2011

Fresh off the overwhelming success of last summer’s presentation of four female choreographers, Gotham Arts Exchange presents the Gotham Dance Festival, returning to The Joyce Theater with expanded programming and a newly branded festival. Gotham Dance Festival presents six programs featuring ten choreographers from June 1-12, 2011 at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, NYC. The festival will also present six talented emerging artists in Summer Sampler Matinees. Tickets start at $10 and are available at 212-242-0800 or www.joyce.org.

Monica Bill Barnes & Company will present "Everything is getting better all the time (in 3 Acts)", an outrageous and whimsical evening of dance borrowing from the glamour of rock concerts, the goodwill of a little league game, and the enthusiasm of a high school marching band. This work blends explosive movement and familiar gestures to create distinct characters with a lot of heart and a touch of grit. "Act 1" (World Premiere) explores the potential that exists at the beginning of a show. "Act 2" (World Premiere) explores the charged relationship between performers sharing the stage. "Act 3: mostly fanfare" (New York premiere) is an examination of the struggles and obligations of showmanship inspired by vaudeville, silent film, and the need to perform. Dubbed by The New York Times as “the master of the dance equivalent of a sly guffaw,” Monica Bill Barnes returns to The Joyce after sold-out performances last August.

Thursday, June 2 at 8pm (Opening Night); Saturday, June 4 at 8pm