Dance Theatre to present “The Decent Women of Calle 58”

On Oct. 18 and 19 the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (ACDT), along with the White Dog Dance Project International, will present “The Decent Women of Calle 58” at the BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce Street in downtown Asheville. The production is based on the true stories of Mexican prostitutes and on an exhibit created by social anthropologist Christian Ramussen.

ACDT Artistic Director Susan Collard focuses on the humanity of the women’s stories by staging the dances in intimate and familiar settings such as the kitchen, bedroom, patio, etc. Each piece explores different aspects of what matters to these women, such as aspiring to make a better life for themselves and for their children, seeking protection, or developing a sense of camaraderie.

Rasmussen’s exhibit is predicated on 22 interviews with sex workers. Mental images of eroticism and sensuality are shattered by the reality of these women’s personal and poignant stories. In order to survive, to provide for their children and for their families, each of them made the difficult choice to work in the sex industry.

Eleven ACDT dancers, along with local actresses, will perform vignettes of these women’s remarkable stories. The dance is set to an original score composed by Alejandro Basulto, along with contemporary and classical music.

NB: Because of the nature of this material, the concert is open to mature audiences only.