Four elements come alive in dance

Havana-based Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba returns to the Arden Theatre by popular demand after two sizzling sold out performances in 2008.

The flamboyant company’s all-female dancers are a runaway success worldwide, and the award-winning choreographer Lizt Alfonso is set to rivet audiences again on Thursday, March 25 with a spirited, all-encompassing performance.

In the fantasy-filled Elementos (the elements) earth, air, fire and water take on a vibrant human form that at the end unites with humankind. Vividly theatrical, it displays the troupe’s fiery fusion of ballet, flamenco and Afro-Cuban styles, interpreted by 17 dancers and seven musicians.

In a recent interview, Alfonso said the adroitly blended Elementos was first performed two years ago in Cuba, and was inspired by observations made during the company’s worldwide tours. In the past few years, the full 34-member company, often split into two touring groups, has travelled to Germany, Netherlands, Egypt, Canada, Mexico and Columbia.

“The whole world is worried about the future. Every day we see tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes. My concern comes from everybody.”

She believes everything around us from the wind, earth, water and fire keeps a finely tuned balance on the planet. And we humans are about to upset the apple cart with our greed.

“We want more and more and we don’t have a limit. We need a limit and now is the moment. Nature says be careful. If not it will be destroyed, and so will humanity.”

Alfonso describes Elementos as a song to nature, one that reaffirms continuing life. “It’s trying to help people understand we need everything around us to survive. It’s a magic, lyrical show.”

And each of the elements commands its own personality: fire blends rumba with Egyptian motifs; water is a valse masquerade; wind carries the calm elegance of breezes and earth is a shattering flamenco, Afro-Cuban jazz.

And in the end, mankind is born of these elements — germinating in the earth, pushing through to the air, forging with fire and receiving nourishment from water.

“Everybody needs to have an open mind to see the show, and an open mind and an open heart to receive the message.”