Here. Now.

From May 1-3 we proudly presented the premiere of Here. Now. at the George Washington Carver Cultural Center – Boyd Vance Theater. For this highly collaborative project for our 35th Season, AADT’s critically-acclaimed Founding Artistic and Producing Director Andrea Ariel brought together diverse multicultural artists to present an exhilarating evening of dance theatre and live music focused on the many facets of identity.

Audiences experienced powerful explorations of memory and transformation tracing the arc of self-discovery, from childhood innocence to independence, crisis, and healing; delving into the dualities shaped by culture—balancing harmony and conflict, tradition and change, belonging and solitude; and the eclectic influences of music, fashion, and cinema shaping artistic evolution and self-expression. Each of the artistic partners have created new works exploring these themes that are woven together through choreography by Andrea Ariel.

“Led by the visionary Andrea Ariel, the evening unfolds like a journey through memory and meaning. The production’s strength lied not only in its dance and choreography but in its unflinching authenticity, embracing the multiplicity of identities and histories each performer brought.” Foundations TV Review

What audience members wrote:

“Absolutely breathtaking! Visceral reactions to the amazing performers! Was an absolute treat! I’m looking forward to future performances!”

“Tears, Joy, Love AND AMAZEMENT! BEST SO FAR! THANK YOU!”

“I’m excited! ❤️ Amazing and so inspiring to see movement used for a deeper purpose!”

“Positive. Uplifting. Inspiring.”

The artistic partners featured in the project include Anuradha Naimpally (Austin Dance India), Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez (Proyecto Teatro), Jun “Sunny” Shen (Shen Jun Movement Effect), and Ciceley Fullylove (Independent dancer, choreographer and singer).

Live music was created by Frederico Geib (Frederico 7 y Los Primes), Claude McCan (Claude9), Bruno Vinezof, Andres Acevedo and Rey Arteaga (Son y No Son) whose experiences brought together a vast array of music genres including Latin, Columbian cumbia, Mexican bolero, Brazilian, Americana, Blues, Funk, Soul, Reggae, Lounge Music, HipHop and Experimental.

Reviews of Here. Now.:

The Foundations.TV, Review by Gauri Chandna
“Here. Now.” – A Luminous Fusion of Culture, Movement, and Memory

Featured YouTube channel video review:

“Led by the visionary Andrea Ariel, the evening unfolds like a journey through memory and meaning. The production’s strength lied not only in its dance and choreography but in its unflinching authenticity, embracing the multiplicity of identities and histories each performer brought.”

CTX Live Theatre review by David Glen Robinson:
“Here. Now. by Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre”

“Here. Now. was a patchwork quilt of diversity, teaching the lesson of the common search for identity, purpose, and meaning across every culture. The quest is very much a current issue, in several guises. AADT shines the light of fine art on most if not all of them.”

Here. Now. Digital Program

This project was supported by the City of Austin Economic Development Department, business sponsorships and individual contributors.