Have You Spotted the Spank?

Spank Dance Company is conducting a social experiment on you. Have you noticed?

Were you wandering around outside of the Convention Center during SXSW only to see four red clad dancers (and one whimsical ring leader) spontaneously break into dance? Maybe you were enjoying the epic day we had this past Thursday at Republic Square Park and caught a glimpse of them. According to Spank Dance Company's director and choreographer, Ellen Bartel, if you haven't seen them perform their latest modern dance piece 4Red Lines, you just haven't been paying attention. Only further, says Bartel, you are not alone.

4Red Lines is a series of non-traditional performances set in public places. The abstract dance is both art and experiment. It's created for your enjoyment, and to enlighten you to your surroundings.

Bartel's purpose in life is to bring dance to the masses – time and money notwithstanding. Her vision is that the crowd opens its collective mind and observes the confines often created between performer and audience. Bartel's hope is that the dancers make a connection to the viewing audience through thoughtful social contemplation. The intrigue of the abstract dance is only further enhanced by the fact that it is performed sans music. Dancers Ellen Bartel, Dawnerin Larrimore, Janine Ploetz, and Maggie Wilhite and Mari Akita move to the sounds of the environment.

Austinist loved the idea of this so much that we partnered with Spank Dance Company to be the outlet in which they advertise these mysterious performances. Prior to all of Spank's 4Red Line performances, we will post a clue as to where they will conduct their next performance.

Your clue for Spank Dance Company's next performance of 4Red Lines is: Four-legged friends and fans of junior senators from Illinois gather here.

Spank Dance Company's 4Red Lines
Monday, April 9
Location: Guess!
5:30pm
Free

4Red Lines is funded in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and sponsored by Salvage Vanguard Theater.