Festivus of Dance

December 23, 2010 So what if Art Basel has blown out to sea? The Florida Dance Festival Winterfest is docking, and bringing a slew of artists, dancers, and choreographers to ring in the new year with modern dance. The first public performance is a retrospective of choreographer Gerri Houlihan on Thursday at 8 p.m. at New World School of the Arts. Houlihan, who directed the Houlihan & Dancers company in Miami in the ’90s, holds a special place in the hearts of local dance fans. For this performance, old and new admirers reinterpret her work. Guest artists include Paul Matteson from Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and former Houlihan company dancer Jennifer Nugent. Also in the Winterfest lineup: a showcase by Miami-Dade County Choreography Fellowship winners; performances by the Arch Dance hip-hop company and Kate Weare Company; and the 11th annual danceAble event, coproduced with Tigertail Productions. The Florida Dance Festival, which runs through January 29, also includes a bevy of dance workshops. Thu., Dec. 30, 8 p.m., 2010 Originally published in the Miami New Times in December 2010.