Anna Sokolow and the Roots of Anti-Fascist Modern Dance

Dancer/Choreographer Anna Sokolow and Composer Alex North connected as young artists in the midst of the 1930’s Great Depression. Both came from Russian Jewish immigrant families and were committed to the social justice issues of the time, including workers rights and anti-fascism. Their art focused on lifting the spirit of the masses and improving the life of working people. While their careers took off within the atmosphere of the New York City modernist movement, they also traveled to Russia and to Mexico expanding both their artistic education and influence. In 1937, Sokolow premiered Slaughter of the Innocents, her 1937 lament for Basque women suffering under Nazi aerial bombing set to an original score by Alex North.

Samantha Géracht, Artistic Director of the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble will take the audience through the reconstruction process of this dance, which included a set of photographic proofs and the discovery of the lost North score, while outlining the history of anti-fascist modern dance. Slaughter of the Innocents will be performed by members of the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble to the original music showcasing the creative collaboration of Anna Sokolow (1910-2000) and Alex North (1910-1991). This piece remains fresh, compelling, and relevant for today’s audiences.