Grupo Corpo

Brazil’s riveting Grupo Corpo visits in its Cal Performances debut, with two works that showcase the company’s distinctive style, rooted in classical ballet but enriched by folk and popular dance. Co-led by brothers Paulo and Rodrigo Pederneiras, the troupe’s dancers are celebrated for their athleticism, versatility, and deep respect for the connections between music and movement. The choreography in 21 is derived from the rhythmic sequences in the score by Marco Antônio Guimarães and Brazilian instrumental group Uakti. Gira (“SPIN”) is inspired by the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda and features music by São Paulo band Metá Metá that combines ritual chanting with animal cries, bird calls, and searing saxophone. “Their…dancers are masters of a scintillating eclecticism of style, able to whip a languorous Latin shimmy into a sharp pirouette, to flip from samba to jazz to ballet in a single phrase” (The Guardian).

Please note: this performance contains nudity.

This event is part of Cal Performances’ Illuminations: “Fractured History” programming for the 2024–25 season.