Dance Out East: Works & Process at the Guggenheim in Collaboration with The Church, Guild Hall, and The Watermill Center

As the New Year unfolds, dance enthusiasts and art lovers can kick off 2025 with a dynamic showcase of new performances in the heart of the Hamptons. The inaugural Dance Out East, presented in collaboration with Works & Process, invites audiences to experience three groundbreaking works commissioned by the renowned performing arts organization. The event offers an intimate look at the creative process behind new choreographed pieces, culminating in week-long residencies at The Church in Sag Harbor, Guild Hall in East Hampton, and The Watermill Center. These performances serve as a precursor to the Works & Process Underground Uptown Dance Festival at the Guggenheim Museum, providing a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of these innovative projects.

Dance Out East: The Scattering by Emily Coates

The Church in Sag Harbor with Works & Process at the Guggenheim
Thursday, January 9, 6:00 pm

Dancer and choreographer Emily Coates premieres The Scattering, a captivating new work that explores the legacy of George Balanchine and his impact on dance beyond the metropolis. Drawing on Coates’ extensive background as a former member of the New York City Ballet, The Scattering reflects on Balanchine’s journey to America in 1933 and the ways in which a choreographer’s spirit lives on in unexpected places. The work weaves together archival traces of Balanchine’s legacy, blending dance, music, and storytelling in an innovative collage.

Coates collaborates with Ain Gordon (direction and dramaturgy), Derek Lucci (performer), Charles Burnham (musician-composer), and Melvin Chen (pianist) to create a piece that resonates deeply with the historic significance of Sag Harbor, home to Balanchine’s grave. The Church in Sag Harbor, itself a site of artistic and cultural significance, features a likeness of Balanchine in the “Saints of Sag Harbor” series, etched into the building’s windows by artist Eric Fischl.

Commissioned by Works & Process, The Scattering is part of an ongoing residency at The Church, continuing through Works & Process LaunchPAD residencies at the Catskill Mountain Foundation in Hunter, New York. Additional support is provided by institutions including Jacob’s Pillow, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, and the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University.

Dance Out East: Music From The Sole’s House Is Open, Going Dark (working title)

Guild Hall of East Hampton with Works & Process at the Guggenheim
Friday, January 10, 7:00 pm

Blurring the boundaries between dance, concert, and music performance, Music From The Sole brings a fresh and electrifying blend of tap dance and live music that celebrates the deep roots of tap in the African diaspora. Co-founders Gregory Richardson, a bassist and composer, and Brazilian tap dancer and choreographer Leonardo Sandoval fuse Afro-Brazilian, jazz, soul, house, rock, and Afro-Cuban styles in their latest work, House Is Open, Going Dark.

This innovative piece, developed during multiple residencies at Guild Hall, explores the intersection of music, rhythm, and movement. It promises to be a high-energy preview of their new work, which culminates a technical residency at Guild Hall’s Hillarie and Mitchell Morgan Theater.

Co-commissioned by Works & Process, House Is Open, Going Dark has also received support through the Works & Process LaunchPAD residency at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park and the Guild Hall William P. Rayner Artist-in-Residence program. The work is further supported by the National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund, and other esteemed organizations including Jacob’s Pillow and The Yard.

Dance Out East: Djapo by Marie Basse Wiles and Omari Wiles

The Watermill Center with Works & Process at the Guggenheim
Saturday, January 11, 2:00 pm

In Djapo, West African dance icon Marie Basse-Wiles and her son, ballroom sensation Omari Wiles, merge their distinct dance traditions to create a dynamic new work that bridges cultures and generations. Featuring dancers from the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance (MKSAD) and Les Ballet Afrik, Djapo celebrates the rich history of African diaspora dance, infused with Omari Wiles’ contemporary interpretations that blend Afro Club Culture, Vogue, and West African dance.

For over three decades, Marie Basse-Wiles has been a trailblazer in the African dance community, training generations of dancers and leading MKSAD’s annual conferences across West Africa. Her son, Omari Wiles, continues this legacy while also shaping his own innovative voice in the dance world. Djapo is an exciting new chapter in their shared journey, providing a thrilling preview of a work that continues to honor and expand upon the African dance tradition.

Commissioned by Works & Process, Djapo has received significant support through the Works & Process LaunchPAD residency at The Watermill Center and the Bethany Arts Community. The work is also supported by the New York State Council on the Arts.