Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Perform's Aszure Barton's "BUSK" at LA's Dance Center

BUSK is not a new work by Canadian choreographer, Aszure Barton.  First performed in 2011, it's reflective of Barton's dark comedy milieu utilizing dance as its art form.  Her body of work continues to dazzle for its pro creativity and originality is anything but mundane.  Busk means a street performer who entertains in public for donations.  One does not consider a mendicant with a sign besieging hard cash as  amusing.  In fact, many of us (myself included) will do our utmost to turn away or feign nonchalance for the homeless.  Barton who has choreographed for the Canadian Nat'l Ballet, ABT, Nederlander Dance Theater and individual artists such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Misty Copeland has been bestowed many awards in the arts including Canada's Arts and Letters, is anything but subtle.  BUSK taunts you to look away from the androgynous dancers sheathed in what appears to be Grim Reaper's hooded capes.  The smoky, dark setting with sport lighting morphs the dancers' faces to appear macabre and nightmarish.  The dancers move frenetically while coming together in groups with rippling waves.  The music is ironically and idealistically operetic enhancing a beseeching quality.  The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater is comprised of the most elite and versatile dancers in the world.  Thankfully, there are solos in which the dancers shed their body covering robes and the graceful athleticism of the dancers can be admired.  Having seen BUSK several times prior, I'm still very engaged by the combative relationship between the dancers and the audience.  Barton's brilliant piece "Busk" is provocative.  The audience is not afforded the luxury of turning away.