Dance Film Peeks Behind Curtain
The attractive short film Peter G. Kalivas, Body as Phenomenon by Barbarella Fokos and David Fokos follows the creative process of choreographer Peter Kalivas and his PGK Dance Project.
With wine and beer in hand, a small audience enjoyed a duet performed live and watched the film Tuesday at 57 Degrees (Fifty Seven Degrees) The film features clips from the Sept. 2015 concert “The First Time” and rare and rewarding peeks behind the curtain.
The result is insightful and well-edited storytelling that explains and entertains.
We become a fly on the studio wall when Kalivas instructs sweaty dancers in rehearsals. He describes how he makes artistic choices. He’s a singer and started out studying architecture. He also trained with Alvin Ailey Company and has toured in Europe.
He is especially proud of a work from the Sept. concert showcasing the sounds of flamenco, tap, and Indian dances.
The image of Kalivas with his hand held to his face and critiquing his creation from the wings is telling.
“The film captures his furious and demanding style, said San Diego dancer Desiree KC Fejeran. “I’ve learned so much from Peter, and I try to take that wisdom and discipline wherever I dance.”
If you missed the screening, visit The Artist Odyssey www.theartistodyssey.com and find more documentaries about leading artists and educators.
Kris Eitland covers dance and theater for Sandiegostory.com and freelances for other publications, including the Union Tribune and Dance Teacher Magazine. She grew up performing many dance styles and continued intensive modern dance and choreography at the Univ. of Minnesota, Duluth, and San Diego State Univ. She also holds a journalism degree from SDSU. Her career includes stints in commercial and public radio news production.
Eitland has won numerous Excellence in Journalism awards for criticism and reporting from the San Diego Press Club. She has served on the Press Club board since 2011 and is a past president. She is a co-founder of Sandiegostory.com. She has a passion for the arts, throwing parties with dancing and singing, and cruising the Pacific in her family’s vintage trawler. She trains dogs, skis, and loves seasonal trips to her home state of Minnesota.