Dream State - Denver Aerial Dance Collective

The Denver Aerial Dance Collective rarely spoke, only at the beginning and at the end of the show, but every movement and choice during their 45-50 minute continuous performance spoke volumes. With a title like “Dream State”, there is a certain expectation that what the audience will witness will likely seem vague or odd, and in the wrong hands, it may be poorly defined and shapeless. But that was not the case with the capable members of the DADC who embraced the subject of the dream state in choreography, music, lighting, and overall ambiance in a spectacular and mystifying show.

Scored by the music of Son Lux, each piece was accompanied by synthetic orchestrations, unnerving basses, and singers and choirs that could either be ethereal and heavenly or distorted and demonic. The dynamic score portrayed the calming comfort of dreams versus the ever-morphing discomfort of nightmares. Likewise, the lighting reflected dreamlike states: a cooling, peaceful blue for dream segments, and red/amber lighting for the darker and sensual pieces. The low lighting gave the impression of moments before you wake, when you’re still on the verge of consciousness but cannot quite open your eyes. At certain times it created the effect of ghost trails or afterimages of the acrobats, increasing the oneiric imagery of the show.

Performing pieces that blend aerial, ballet, and modern dance, the performance seamlessly flows in and out of surreal moments. Where many dance shows require the ensemble to stay in synch with each other, these performers mirrored movements to highlight the eerie and unnatural nature of copying another perfectly. The use of aerial silks and hammocks transformed with each song: sometimes allowing an aerialist to become cocoon-like or embryonic, a Mayfair pole, an undefined nightmarish creature, two people entwined in a spiderweb, and constantly evolving spinning into something new.

As with any dream, it could be both beautiful and uplifting, but also a bit moody or unsettled. The audience enjoyed the show immensely at the performance I attended. I will note there were a couple of small children in the audience that seemed to be a little uncomfortable with the darker moments. While there are no graphic images, language, or mature subject matter, the show has the capability of eliciting strong emotions that may not be appropriate for younger audiences. But I encourage anyone who likes to experience less non-narrative performances, with a talented set of aerialists, to come see this show at the City Stage at Union Station.