Dance NOW! Program III

Dance NOW! Miami Presents Program III, featuring “Love-less: Dance of the last Moho braccatus,” a world premiere from Co-Artistic Director Hannah Baumgarten. This contemporary ballet is based on the story of the small black-and-yellow Hawaiian songbird, facing extinction due to habitat destruction and climate change. “Love-less” is a contemporary dance depicting a real story of paradise lost, of true love, extinction and ultimately of the frailty of our world, with an original score based on the bird’s calls by Italian composer Federico Bonacossa.

Ornithologists followed the plight of this endangered species as it careened toward extinction--but were hopeful as a pair of the birds resisted; therein remained a chance that the species would continue. The distinctive mating song of the last pair of these birds was recorded, with its call and response. In a tragic turn of events, a hurricane killed the female of the pair, the male unaware of her fate. The distinctive bell-like call was last heard and recorded in 1987 as the male partner called out for his mate, unable to understand why she did not respond.

The evening will also include audience favorites from the 26th season of dance.