Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre Premieres Here. Now. – A Bold Multicultural Performance Blending Dance, Music, and Identity

Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre picture credit: Steve Rogers Photography

Austin, Tx ~ This spring, the George Washington Carver Cultural Center’s Boyd Vance Theater will come alive with rhythm, emotion, and transformative storytelling as Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre (AADT) presents the world premiere of Here. Now. — a powerful new work of dance theatre accompanied by live music. The production runs May 1–3, 2025 at 8PM and marks the company’s celebratory 35th season.

Choreographed by AADT’s Founding Artistic and Producing Director Andrea Ariel, Here. Now. brings together a stellar group of multicultural artists for a deeply collaborative exploration of identity, memory, and transformation. The performance invites audiences on a dynamic journey — from childhood innocence to independence, through crisis and healing, toward a more complex and integrated sense of self.

Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre picture credit: Steve Rogers Photography

At the heart of Here. Now. lies a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and personal stories. The project features newly created works by artistic partners Anuradha Naimpally (Austin Dance India), Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez (Proyecto Teatro), Jun “Sunny” Shen (Shen Jun Movement Effect), and Ciceley Fullylove, an acclaimed independent dancer, choreographer, and singer. Each collaborator contributes their unique voice to a seamless and expressive whole, tied together by Ariel’s choreography and vision.

Complementing the dance theatre is a live music ensemble as diverse and dynamic as the movement on stage.

Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre picture credit: Steve Rogers Photography

The original score brings together sounds from Latin, Colombian cumbia, Mexican bolero, Brazilian, Americana, blues, funk, soul, reggae, lounge, hip hop, and experimental genres — performed by a stellar group of musicians including Frederico Geib (Frederico 7 y Los Primes), Claude McCan (Claude9), Bruno Vinezof, Andres Acevedo, and Rey Arteaga (Son y No Son).

“This work is about being present — in our lives, our bodies, our stories,” says Andrea Ariel. “It’s about what we carry with us, what we shed, and how we transform through our experiences and cultural identities. Here. Now. celebrates the multiplicity within us and honors the threads that connect us.”

The production is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department, continuing a legacy of public support for Ariel’s pioneering work in Austin’s performing arts community. AADT has long been known for its cross-disciplinary, inclusive, and thought-provoking works. Previous acclaimed productions include Borderless, Reimagine, The Bowie Project, and Locked-In.

Tickets for Here. Now. start at $25 and are available for purchase at https://shor.by/672C.Location: Boyd Vance Theater at the George Washington Carver Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St., Austin, TXDates: May 1–3, 2025 | Showtime: 8:00 PM each night

For more information about the performance and Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre, visit arieldance.org or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/AndreaArielDanceTheatre.

Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of movement, music, and multicultural artistry — a performance that brings us fully into the moment: Here. Now.