“Women of Calle 58” dance performance to take stage at Spartanburg Methodist College

Returning to the stage after rave reviews, the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (ACDT), along with the White Dog Dance Project International, will present “The Decent Women of Calle 58” on Monday, October 21st in the Gibbs Auditorium at Spartanburg Methodist College at 7 p.m.

The production, for mature audiences only, is based on true stories of Mexican prostitutes and on an exhibit created by social anthropologist Christian Ramussen.

In this powerful and moving performance, ACDT artistic director Susan Collard focuses on the humanity of these women’s stories by staging the dances in intimate and familiar settings such as the kitchen, bedroom, patio, etc. Each piece explores what is important to these women, such as aspirations as wanting to make a better life for themselves and for their children, seeking protection for themselves, and developing a sense of camaraderie.

Rasmussen’s exhibit is predicated on his twenty-two interviews of sex servers. In it, mental images of eroticism and sensuality are shattered by the reality of these women’s personal and poignant stories. In order to survive, in order to provide for their children and for their families, each of these women made the incredibly difficult choice to become a sex server.

Eleven ACDT dancers, along with local actresses, will perform vignettes of these women’s incredible stories to contemporary and classical music as well as music composed by Alejandro Basulto. ACDT, a small, successful dance theatre, perform over 50 shows yearly throughout the southeast and abroad. Since its founding in 1979, as Western Carolina’s first contemporary dance company, ACDT’s mission has been to integrate human and artistic connections between all cultures, both local and global.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for the community to come together and build awareness and a movement towards safe and healthy relationships for all individuals and families. Domestic violence touches every person in our community and society as a whole; and violates a person’s dignity, safety, and basic human rights. SMC asks you to stand up as a champion for survivors and join the movement for a safer and healthier community.

Make plans to experience The Decent Women of Calle 58 for yourself on Monday, October 21st at 7 p.m. in the Gibbs Auditorium at Spartanburg Methodist College. The public is invited and admission is free of charge. For more information, please contact Yvonne Harper, harpery@smcsc.edu or 864-587-4278.