The Modern A La Modern

Do you know Twyla? You may not think so, but you probably do. Even if you've only seen Robin Williams' imitation of Twyla Tharp in The Birdcage, the 67-year-old dance legend continues to make an impact in the dance world via movie, musical and stage choreography. One of her main...

By Merritt Martin

July 24, 2008

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Do you know Twyla? You may not think so, but you probably do. Even if you've only seen Robin Williams' imitation of Twyla Tharp in The Birdcage, the 67-year-old dance legend continues to make an impact in the dance world via movie, musical and stage choreography. One of her main goals was to produce works in unexpected places--trading conventional auditoriums and theaters for gyms and sidewalks...and museums. At noon, 2 and 4 p.m. this Saturday, Contemporary Dance Fort Worth honors Tharp inside The Modern Museum of Fort Worth by scattering 100 dancers throughout the venue to perform 11-second "answers" to performance/dance questions. Together, they comprise Tharp's The One Hundreds. CD/FW and the Modern will also screen the film Twyla on Twyla at 1 and 3 p.m. These free events are the last of the fifth annual Modern Dance Festival at the Modern, a can't-miss for dance lovers and newbies alike that aims "to make modern dance more accessible to our community"--a mission that would make Lady Twyla very proud indeed. Visit cdfw.org for more info.
Sat., July 26, noon, 2008

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Merritt Martin has written for the Dallas Observer for over two decades. She has also contributed to Eater, DMN and USA Today. In addition to arts and culture writing, she spends entirely too much time extolling the virtues of pears, black clothing, and her cat Kenneth.

Contact: Merritt Martin

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