Top 10 (+ 1) Dances With Big Heart in 2011

Jérôme Bel in Cédric Andrieux

Photo courtesy of Herman Sorgeloos

2011 ARTS TOP 10S

• Shaken, Not Deterred

  Despite the many upheavals in 2011, Austin's arts scene perseveres

  BY ROBERT FAIRES

• Top 10 Arts Events of 2011 in No Particular Order

  How festival goodness and powerful art exhibits made 2011 a year to remember

  BY WAYNE ALAN BRENNER

• Top 10 Notable Theatrics of 2011

  Recalling how scoundrels, amphibians, and grace brightened Austin stages in 2011

  BY ADAM ROBERTS

• Top 10 Theatrical Delights of the Latter Half of 2011

  Recapping the fightin', spoonin', boppin' stage sensations of 2011's summer and fall

  BY JILLIAN OWENS

• > Top 10 (+ 1) Dances With Big Heart in 2011

• Top 10 Classical Music Treasures of 2011

  Ancient voices, singing strings, and lots of Bach made 2011 a fine year for ears

  BY ROBERT FAIRES

• Top 10 Theatrical Wonders of 2011

  Remembering a theatrical year with superheroes, The Tempest, and a mash-up of the two

  BY ROBERT FAIRES

1) 'CÉDRIC ANDRIEUX' (Jérôme Bel at Fusebox Festival) Bel's performance portraits of dancers smudge the performer-audience and performer-character distinctions: The dancers address the audience with autobiographical details; they hum, dance, and change costumes to illustrate roles and styles they favor and detest. Cédric Andrieux is the tale of Andrieux's life as a dancer, tightly edited by Bel and refiltered through Andrieux. Personal triumphs and setbacks appear both precious and matter-of-fact; the mortality of the piece, with its subject-performer, contributes to its drama.

2) 'SOLO SOLO' (READY|SET|GO!)

3) PROGRAM C: BUTOH (Big Range Dance Festival)

4) 'POET'S LOVE' (READY|SET|GO!)

5) 'PARAMPARA PART II' (Austin Dance India)

6) 'JOURNEY NO. 5' (Sharon Marroquín at Ballet East Dance Company)

7) AARA KRUMPE AS THE SYLPH IN 'LA SYLPHIDE' (Ballet Austin)

8) 'APHRODITE DANCES: CHOCOLATE' (Voice Dance Company/American Repertory Ensemble)

9) 'WOLFTANZT' (Ballet Austin)

10) 'THE TRASH PROJECT' (Forklift Dance­works)

11) 'FLASHDANCE, BUT FLASHIER: 30 MORE DANCES IN 60 MINUTES' (Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company)