REVIEWS
XALT: Unraveling Distanced Chaos reveals Self-Identified Truth
XALT’s Manifold, choreographed by Penny Saunders, and The Way It Is, choreographed by Wevers, use dance to perfectly capture the loneliness of quarantine. It is strangely comforting to see the socially distanced dancers in these performances tread carefully, so as not to step into each other’s space. [Full Article]
Editorial Staff, Teen Tix, October 23, 2020
Dancers blaze through a series of curving, intricate solos, commanding the stage. The choreography is striking, first for its rich, detailed movement executed in a short amount of time, and second for its cleanliness. No step is performed in excess; dancers embody precision without the slightest hint of indulgence. [Full Article]
Meredith Pellon, Seattle Dances, January 20, 2020
Whim W’Him Celebrates A Decade of Dance with Another XCITING Program
Clearly Whim W’Him has been true to its values and vision throughout ten years of dance-making, while providing resources to choreographers of all genders, races, and styles. Their only shared traits are these: the ability to express their imaginations in dance; the ability to tap into the talents of the dancers and other artists provided; and the ability to manifest their imaginations in works that move and inspire audiences. The current choreographers in XPRESS show these traits in abundance. [Full Article]
Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Gay News, January 24, 2020
XPRESS is more than a play on words — Wevers and Whim W’Him provide an opportunity for choreographic voices to be heard and seen. As I like to say, “now more than ever” we need what art and artists bring and contribute to the world. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance, January 26, 2020
Versatility and Range at Xpress
The variety of choreography showcased how versatile the Whim W’Him dancers are; regardless of style, they are cohesive and expressive. [Full Article]
Lily Williamson, Teen Tix, February 5, 2020
Dancers Wow on a Quick Visit to Vashon
“Whim W’Him…brings a level of art and dance to VCA that our community has asked for and VCA’s beautiful stage can accommodate well” [Full Article]
Elizabeth Shepherd, Vashon Beachcomber, January 22, 2020
It is crazy to believe that Whim W’Him is now entering its 10th season as one of the elite contemporary dance companies in the world. Over the past decade, Whim W’Him has developed brilliant pieces of conceptual art that evokes intellectual and emotional responsiveness. With its 10th season premiere (and the 5th iteration of the Choreographic Shindig), Whim W’Him continues to top itself. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, Chosen Magazine, September 19, 2019
Sweat is flying! Dancers glide across the stage in duets of athletic virtuosity, sliding over one another’s bodies in glossy feats of partnering. Quick, buoyant leaps and powerful grand battements are sprinkled into the smooth movement vocabulary. [Full Article]
Meredith Pellon, Seattle Dances, September 16, 2019
Choreographic Shindig V demonstrated once again the versatility and technical prowess of the Whim W’Him dancers, their ability to not only perform diverse works but to invigorate them. I’ve said it before, but it bears frequent repetition: one of the biggest gifts Wevers has given Seattle dance fans is the opportunity to experience a range of choreographers from outside our region, even our country. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And Another Thing…, September 16, 2019
Whim W’Him’s Choreographic Shindig V
For this year’s Choreographic Shindig, the chosen choreographers are Kyra Jean Green (of Trip the Light Fantastic), Yoshito Sakuraba (of Abarukas dance) and Joshua Manculich (who has worked with multiple companies). Each has created dynamic new works specifically for the innovators in the Whim W’Him crew. [Full Article]
Brangien Davis & Misha Berson, Crosscut, September 12 2019
Choreographic Shindig V at Erickson Theater
Whim W’Him kicks off their fall season the way they have for the last four years—with a sort of opposite day where dancers choose the choreographer with whom they want to work. [Full Article]
Rich Smith, The Stranger, September 10, 2019
Whim W’Him’s Brilliant ‘This Is Not The Little Prince’
In the kind of extended ekphrasis represented by Whim W’Him’s current offering, both as a choreographer and as an artistic director, Olivier Wevers seems to have found his métier. [Full Article]
Jim Jones, Seattle Gay News, June 14, 2019
Storytelling Through Contemporary Dance
Each dancer moves their body in ways that are fluid and unbelievable. The immense amount of flexibility and intertwining of their bodies, depending on each other while they play with different levels—some dancers flew in the air, some rolled on the floor, is incredible. [Full Article]
Teen Editorial Staff, Teen Tix, June 25, 2019
Once told he’d never be a dancer, Olivier Wever’s leads one of Seattle’s most innovative dance companies
This year marks a decade since Wevers launched Whim W’Him, and in those 10 years, he has created a beloved company that readily serves as a platform for local, national and international choreographers, and is also one of the very few Seattle dance companies that offer full-time (more than 30 weeks) employment with benefits to its dancers. Wevers has also impacted the local dance scene through his innovative exploration of movement and tireless championing of the arts. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, The Seattle Times, February 13, 2019
When A Mother Outlives Her Son
For everyone, the music and dance of the production by Whim W’Him and Early Music Seattle is a captivating exploration of grief and the role of a mother. Either way one approaches it, the performance was a spellbinding capturing of this ancient narrative, and a strong representation of universal feeling between mother and son, between life and death. [Full Article]
Teen Editorial Staff, Teen Tix, March 14, 2019
Whim W’him’s annual Choreographic Shindig commissioned three new works as chosen by the company dancers. Alice Klock, Omar Román De Jesús and Brendan Duggan put both the company’s extreme technique and acting ability on display. [Full Article]
Kaitlin McCarthy, Dance International, February 19, 2019
Period Instruments Meet Modern Dance
Wevers’ style is characteristically non-linear, relying much on contrast. Some moments will focus on the narrative, others on the emotions it arouses for the dancers. [Full Article]
Thomas May, Early Music America, February 22, 2019
‘3×3’ carries on Whim W’Him’s streak of innovative, politically inflected dance
Whim W’Him’s latest offering, “3×3,” blends pure abstraction with propulsive partnering and political undertones. [Full Article]
Megan Burbank, Seattle Times, January 24, 2019
Whim W’Him Presents an Exceptional Evening of Contemporary Dance
I love abstraction in dance, such as Yin Yue’s offering of pure movement onto which I can formulate my own ideas about containment and proportion. But I also love the more literal revelations into the artists’ minds, especially when they address the major concerns of the audience and times. Wevers’ powerful moral voice empowers choreography to grapple with the war between injustice and hope. [Full Article]
Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Gay News, January 25, 2019
Set to the hauntingly beautiful score of Polish composer Henryk Górecki… Trail of Soles is a mature choreographic work that bears repeating and seeing again. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance, January 25, 2019
Searching for Grace in a World Gone Crazy
I found myself riveted by the movements. In their simple repetitions, they carried me beyond my seat in the Cornish Playhouse. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And another thing, January 28, 2019
Trail of Soles is not just a powerful dance piece; it is protest art. This is resistance. [Full Article]
Risa Nagel, Seattle Dances, January 24, 2019
The Transcendent Art of Whim W’Him
Given that Whim W’Him continues to shock and impress with every showcase, it should come as no surprise to anyone that the trajectory of this contemporary dance company is limitless. [Full Article]
Chris Heide & Alka Sareen, Chosen Magazine, January 20, 2019
Three Dance Pieces About an Increasingly Rare Thing
Like her other work, The Most Illusive Hold will push the boundaries of physicality in dance, testing the technical prowess of Whim W’Him’s company. While Scofield’s dance will feel more meditative and introverted, Yue’s will stand out for its sheer kineticism. [Full Article]
Rich Smith, The Stranger, January 16, 2019
Whim W’Him Dances in Cursive with Olivier Wevers
That’s what I think is so cool about Whim W’Him – it put Seattle on my radar as a dance community, which it wasn’t there before. [Full Article]
Jordan McHenry, Dance on Air Podcast featuring Olivier Wevers, January 19, 2019
The Bold Season Premiere of Whim W’Him
In the 4th iteration of the shindig, the brilliant dance company once again showcases brand new choreography from talented creators across the globe. That is the thing that allows Whim W’Him to stand out from the pack – they frequently push to celebrate new art, emerging artists and boundary-pushing ideas. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, Chosen Magazine, September 12, 2018
Whim W’Him’s dancer-curated ‘Choreographic Shindig’
All three selected works take full advantage of the Whim W’him dancers’ extreme technical skill and promise to push the dancers’ emotional delivery. This balance is a priority during curation. [Full Article]
Kaitlin McCarthy, City Arts, August 29, 2018
Whim Wows With Dancing and Acting
In Alice Klock’s Before After, the seven dancers of Whim W’Him treat the audience to innovative movement vocabulary, interspersed with gestures performed with creature-like curiosity. [Full Article]
Phillipa Myler, Seattle Dances, September 17, 2018
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: one of the biggest gifts Whim W’Him Artistic Director Olivier Wevers brings to Seattle dance fans is the opportunity to see new works by contemporary choreographers from around the world. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And Another Thing…, September 11, 2018
What Happens When You Give Dancers A Say?
Although these pieces were about wildly different topics, they all explored two ends of a spectrum. Because of the choreographer’s use of the dancers’ input during the creation process, the company was clearly invested in every piece. [Full Article]
Anya S., Teen Tix, October 3, 2018
When the muse is mental illness, moves are brisk, dreamy
Choreographer Omar Román De Jesús embodies bipolar disorder with dance. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, Crosscut, September 5, 2018
From Lynchian Discomfort to Anti-Fascist Ballet, Whim W’Him Delivers A Strong Season Closer
If you don’t have a high tolerance for contemporary dance, Whim W’Him’s repertoire might seem abstract and forbidding, but the effort you put into watching it is richly rewarded — such is the reciprocal joy of challenging art. [Full Article]
Megan Burbank, The Seattle Times, June 11, 2018
Peil is an amazingly gifted dancer and performer whose mercurial ability to switch from light to serious and for whom no level of technical demand seems too much, will be sorely missed. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance, June 8, 2018
Artistic Director Wevers has taken great care over Whim W’Him’s eight years to recruit technically excellent dancers. It’s a small company; there are no official stars, but during her tenure he’s called on Peil to portray everything from humor to emotional disintegration, to twist her long body into knots and to soar across the stage. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And Another Thing…, June 12, 2018
The Epic Season Finale of Whim W’Him
Whim W’Him has grown from a promising upstart of innovative dancers to a masterful dance company that is successfully redefining the meaning of contemporary dance. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, Chosen Magazine, June 14, 2018
Whim W’Him’s ‘Transfigurate’ A Brilliant Evening of Contemporary Dance
This is the best of contemporary dance – with three brilliant choreographers and seven dancers who are the seven wonders of the world. [Full Article]
Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Gay News, June 15, 2018
Vulnerability Leads in Transfigurate
All together the night was well curated and danced to perfection. The audience follow the gradual evolution of the Whim dancers as they move from the stark primal abstraction of Touzeau’s work to the satire realness of Agami’s, finishing with the imaginative reflection in Wevers. [Full Article]
Liz Houlton, Seattle Dances, June 18, 2018
Ten Contemporary Ballet Companies You Should Be Obsessed With
Wevers hires dancers with diverse backgrounds, creating a melting pot of a company. That’s something second-year dancer Liane Aung is grateful for: “Our differences give company members such varied perspectives,” she says.[Full Article]
Jenny Ouellette, Dance Spirit Magazine, March 7, 2018
Whim W’Him continues to emblazon the dance community with works that engage, unsettle, cause discourse, and happily, as this program shows, uplift. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance, January 25, 2018
Whim W’Him Configures a Pleasant Evening of Dance
As with every Whim W’Him performance Wevers is committed to a total theatrical experience through careful attention to sound, costumes and lighting. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, Seattle Pi, January 23, 2018
I should say that all seven of the Whim W’Him company members are talented and well-trained. They dedicate themselves to the material at hand and always deliver excellent performances. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, January 23, 2018
Krina Turner Steps Up As Executive Director of Whim W’Him
Rather than being constrained by the canons of ballet or jazz, for Turner, contemporary dance blows the possibilities for storytelling wide open while still pulling freely from the vocabularies of more established forms. [Full Article]
Rich Smith, The Stranger, November 29, 2017
Whim W’Him’s Choreographic Shindig III a brilliant evening of contemporary dance
Whim W’Him is going from strength to strength and providing a forum for emerging choreographers to work with immensely talented dancers in creating unforgettable new works. [Full Article]
Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Gay News, October 3, 2017
Whim W’Him’s dancers are a cadre of professional dance artists who always bring their “A-game” and who infuse each dance with just the right amount of technique, savvy, tone, and poetic expression. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance, September 22, 2017
In its third iteration of Choreographic Shindig, the season opening fete, Whim W’Him demonstrates its precise ability to attract top-tier, global talent. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, Chosen Magazine, September 12, 2017
Whim W’Him: A New Season Begins
And with his third iteration of Choreographic Shindig, artistic director Olivier Wevers brings three promising new choreographers to town to put a new spin on Seattle contemporary dance performance. [Full Article]
Melody Datz Hansen, City Arts, September 12, 2017
Whim W’Him’s Latest Shindig Shines
For the past seven years, Olivier Wevers’ dance troupe has been consistently strong, presenting new and thought provoking dances. With “Choreographic Shindig III,” Whim W’Him has reached new heights. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, September 11, 2017
Whim W’Him raises the bar with ‘Choreographic Shindig’
For the 2018 edition of “Shindig, three choreographers from Chicago, Puerto Rico and Spain have already been selected from 150 applicants. Those fierce odds make plain how exacting the standards for “Shindig” now are. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times, September 11, 2017
Whim W’Him’s Approaching Ecstasy: A Feast for the Senses
Their entire Senses season was absolutely wonderful, and I’m extremely excited to see what the next season holds! [Full Article]
Michele Solano, Thus Spoke Lady M, June 11, 2017
It is a work of timely and timeless beauty, and a very great artistic accomplishment for everyone involved in its development and presentation. This is a work that should be widely seen, not only for its mastery of so many art forms, but for its profound insight into the sad burden of injustice suffered by gay people past and present. [Full Article]
Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Gay News, June 9, 2017
The Delicate Balance of Beauty and Pain
This powerfully dark but ultimately uplifting multi-media performance […] closed among “wows,””ohs”, and whispered “goddamn” from the opening night audience last weekend at Cornish Playhouse. [Full Article]
Melody Datz Hansen, City Arts, June 6, 2017
Jim Kent Finds His Dream Company in Whim W’Him
Because I get to work with so many choreographers from near and far every year, I truly consider this company to be a continuing part of my education as a dancer and a human. This is the company I dreamed about when I was in college. [Full Article]
Jim Kent, Cornish College of the Arts, May 21, 2017
By strength of its longevity on the dance scene and of its contribution to it, Whim W’Him represents artistically one aspect of the new order among dance creations of today. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance, January 27, 2017
Overall, the whole evening is a tour-de-force of contemporary dance. It is easy to see that Whim W’Him is currently at the top of their game. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, Chosen Magazine, January 25, 2017
GROUP DYNAMICS IN WHIM’S SENSATION
Once again, Whim W’Him’s dancers’ gorgeous and limitless execution elevated the choreography to its world-class status. [Full Article]
Philippa Myler, Seattle Dances, January 24, 2017
Whim W’Him taps the wisdom of crowds in ‘Sensation’
The whole evening is Whim W’Him at its very best. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times, January 21, 2017
WHIM W’HIM GAVE ME LIFE WITH SENSATION
People, people, people, this show, I can honestly say is breathtakingly moving. Aptly named, it created Sensations within me that were wonderful, dynamic, and powerful. [Full Article]
Michele Solano, Thus Spoke Lady M, January 23, 2017
Whim W’Him Explores Relationships in Latest Outing
Each of the seven performers has unique qualities and a personality that shines through their steps but under Olivier’s tutelage they blend seamlessly together into a coherent troupe that keeps getting better and better. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, Seattle Pi, January 22, 2017
The Top 15 Things to Do This Week
Choreographer Penny Saunders returns to make a new work that’s all about making work. Play by Play follows an idea (played by Justin Reiter) as he’s dogged or encouraged by the rest of the company. […] See it with your New Year’s resolution in hand. [Full Article]
Sandi Kurtz, Seattle Weekly, January 18, 2017
Who’s who and what’s what in dance this month
In hope-for-the-future news, Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance presents SENSATION, Jan. 20-28, at the Cornish Playhouse in Seattle, premiering new creations by the artistic director of New York-based Keigwin + Company, Larry Keigwin, as well as a new work from Penny Saunders, a dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Whim W’Him artistic director, Olivier Wevers. [Full Article]
Rachael Carnes, Eugene Weekly, January 12, 2017
CANON IN P: BRILLIANT CREATIVITY BY PENNY SAUNDERS ON WHIM W’HIM
I won’t tell you which feelings I felt…but trust me, people, you want to see this! You need to see this! … Please start your 2017 off right by indulging in your senses in this show. [Full Article]
Michele Solano, Thus Spoke Lady M, December 26, 2016
It was a terrific evening of exciting work, worthy of a company that is growing, thriving, and using the deep traditions of dance to forge new pathways. [Full Article]
Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Gay News, September 16, 2016
Whim W’Him Choreographic Shindig
Seven years into its tenure and Whim W’Him just keeps getting better. While most contemporary companies tend to hit a slump, Whim W’Him continues to shatter expectations while broaching new, uncharted territories of dance. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, Chosen Magazine, September 19, 2016
Whim W’Him’s Choreographic Shindig: A Different Kind Of Dance
Whim W’Him continues to delight us with its contemporary choreography, giving us a different kind of dance shindig indeed. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance, September 10, 2016
Whim W’Him This Weekend at the Erickson Theatre Off Broadway
I just looked at tickets and the rest of the performances are sold out. But go anyway…The show is worth lining up for, it’s worth trying to get in, sold out or not. [Full Article]
Dan Savage, The Stranger, September 16, 2016
A Breath Of Fresh Air At Whim W’Him’s Shindig
…[they] managed to, once again, emphasize Whim W’Him’s rising importance in the region. Especially in Seattle’s smaller and more tight-knit dance scene…these doses of new artistic ideas are a satisfying breath of fresh air. [Full Article]
Imana Gunawan, SeattleDances, September, 16, 2016
Excellent ‘Shindig’ for Whim W’Him
It’s often said that second efforts are never good as firsts (sophomore albums, second novels), but year two of Choreographic Shindig blew year one out of the water. I’m already anticipating next year’s choices. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts, September 13, 2016
Whim W’Him Inspires With New Choreography
All in all, Whim W’Him’s 2016 Choreographic Shindig is a must see…the dancers are dynamite, and it’s an opportunity to experience ambitious new work from fresh voices in the contemporary dance world. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, September 12, 2016
Whim W’Him’s “Choreographic Shindig” was introduced by artistic director Olivier Wevers in 2015 with the aim of giving company members a chance to choose the choreographers they wanted to work with. As Wever’s, a former principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, remarks: “When I was still dancing, I always wished for an opportunity to help select programming.” [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, September 10, 2016
A Tasty Buffet of New Dance Works from Whim W’Him
As “Shindig” demonstrates, Wevers continues to build Whim W’Him artistically, financially, and administratively…as Wevers attracts even more attention for his own choreography and this little gem of a company we can call our own. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 10, 2016
40 Stranger (Than Usual) Things To Do In Seattle This Week
Celebrate emerging talents in dance and choreography with the annual Whim W’Him Choreographic Shindig – where performers get to choose their choreographer. [Full Article]
The Stranger, September 7, 2016
Tools of the Trade: MADBOOTS’ Blue Rose Petals
Campbell and Diaz were drawn to the imagery of the rose petals for a variety of reasons. They serve as nods to classicism, iconic ballet imagery, nostalgia, and the natural world. “We liked that kind of conflict of these very soft, elegant, beautiful things creating such a mess,” says Campbell. “That something so soft that could just make so much chaos, we loved that.” [Full Article]
Seth Sommerfield, Seattle Met Magazine, September 8, 2016
Go “Behind the Curtain” with Your Favorite Artists
“Behind the Curtain” follows one dancer throughout their day each episode. Dive into the lifestyles of your favorite artists, from coffee to company class, afternoon Pilates to performance. Stay tuned for new episodes.” [Full Article]
Dance Magazine, September 1, 2016
Six Reasons to Love Olivier Wevers
Olivier is a man with a mission – and a serious love of dance…While we’d long admired Wevers’ choreography, getting up close and personal gave us a whole new respect for the man [Full Article]
Jennifer Stahl, Dance Magazine, September 2, 2016
But my favorite – and I think the crowd’s favorite – was Olivier Wevers’ Undercurrents. Four young men from the PNB School danced around Alexander Calder’s Eagle, throwing each other around and giving each other balletic swirlies. Among the most impressive feats of hyperbolic boyishness involved three dancers holding the other dancer in the air while he did push-ups on their hands. All were laughing and shouting at each other, marching around the sculpture like toy soldiers. As they were dancing, a school of sailboats bobbed like swans on Puget Sound. It was as if their dance was transforming the world into a playground. [Full Article]
Rich Smith, Stranger, August 17, 2016
Emotions Manifest in Whim’s OUT-spoken
This kind of piece showcases Whim W’him’s dancers at their best, tearing into jaw-dropping choreography whose unexpected twists delight at each turn. [Full Article]
Phillippa Myler, SeattleDances, June 23, 2016
6 Things to do in Seattle this weekend
The small and exceptional local contemporary dance company consistently premieres new work from some of the best choreographers anywhere and this time, to use a baseball metaphor, they’ve knocked it out of the park. [Full Article]
Florangela Davila, Crosscut, June 9, 2016
The Top 20 Things to Do This Week
Whim W’Him director Olivier Wevers shops for his repertory as well as making work from scratch, commissioning new works for his company and creating new choreography. Wevers’ newest, a dystopian view of Romeo and Juliet, is joined by a highly articulated duet by James Gregg and a witty commentary on Pulp Fiction by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, returning for her fourth time with the company. Whim W’Him is closing their season with a bang, literally. [Full Article]
Sandi Kurtz, Seattle Weekly, June 8, 2016
Three choreographers, three wildly different dances at Whim W’Him
Hateful heartbreak, tentative connection– and buggy gangsters? ‘OUT-spoken,’ the new mixed rep from Seattle contemporary dance company Whim W’Him, hits some wildly divergent notes as it shows off the talents of three choreographers. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times, June 4, 2016
Whim W’Him to Present OUT-spoken at the Seattle Center in June
Seattle’s must-see contemporary dance company presents an evening of all new works from fan favorites and a fresh face this weekend and next. Don’t miss this emotional and beautiful show. [Full Article]
Broadway World, June 3, 2016
One chance brought a woman into male-dominated choreography
Fast-forwarding to the present, Lopez Ochoa, who is about to present an original piece in Seattle, is one of a few female independent choreographers creating new work for major classical companies. She’s broken through the glass ceiling. In fact, she’s one of two women selected to create a premiere for New York City Ballet’s opening gala and upcoming season. [Full Article]
Leslie Holleran, Crosscut, June 2, 2016
A Trio of Works at Whim W’Him’s ‘OUT-spoken’
The show opens with Wevers’ emotional work—a relationship between two dancers is violently disrupted, their life choices changing the landscape of their interactions. [Full Article no longer available]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts Magazine, June 2, 2016
Whim W’Him OUT-spoken, June 3-11
Whim W’Him’s fusion of ballet and contemporary dance movement at its outset has made it well-suited to experimentation with various choreographers, whose work with the company is often fast-paced and experimental.
T.s. Flock, Vanguard Seattle, June 1, 2016
Here They Are: The Top 20 Most Talented People in Seattle
In January, we asked our readers to nominate a talented Seattle-area individual– in any profession or medium– who they thought should make our inaugural list of the Top 20 Most Talented People in Seattle. What one reader had to say: Incredible artistry as a dancer and choreographer. And as an artistic director of Whim W’Him!
Seattle Magazine Staff, Seattle Magazine, February 24, 2016
Seattle’s premiere contemporary ballet company has done it again. Since its inception 6 years ago, Whim W’Him has grown into a pinnacle of artistic achievement within its short lifespan. Artistic Director, Olivier Wevers, has become synonymous with creative ingenuity. Every one of his repertoires has shown a clarity of vision and a commitment to creative, unique movement. Whim W’Him’s latest showcase, INSPIRED, is quite possibly its most cohesive presentation yet. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, Chosen Magazine – February 04, 2016
IN-spired to Success: Whim W’Him at Cornish Playhouse
Wevers too is calling more and more upon his dancers’ prodigious technique, allowing it to show and shine. Brahms and Tights is a “keeper” and the dancers deserve this treatment to, not just dance to, but more importantly, in which to respond. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance – January 23, 2016
GET IN-SPIRED: WHIM CONTINUES TO STUN
Those who did not enter the Cornish Playhouse considering themselves Whimmers likely changed their perspective by the close of the show, thanks to a spectacular trio of new works. The evening featured creations from Wevers, Mark Haim, and Dominic Walsh, all showcasing a stellar group of dancers. [Full Article]
Megan Stevenson, SeattleDances – January 28, 2016
This dance company’s first rep of 2016 is titled IN-spired, and features three works by three choreographers. That includes Olivier Wevers, the founder and artistic director of the Whim W’Him dance company (one of the jewels of Seattle’s dance scene). Wevers has set his contemporary piece to a piece of music he loves: Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major. Explains Wevers: “I wanted to peel back all the decorum and go for pure dance bliss, explore new formations and vocabulary, as well as create surprise, energy and an innovative way of moving people on stage.” [Full Article]
Florangela Davila, Crosscut – January 28, 2016
Whim W’Him Wows With Three New Works
Last year he put his dancers on a season-long contract; this year he’s extending the season to three programs, for which he’s commissioned new works from artists at the front of their profession…. [T]his, the second of those programs, shows that Whim W’Him may have a fanciful name, but is accomplishing some substantial work. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The The Seattle Weekly – January 27, 2016
Fresh dance piece ‘IN-spired’ features flex-and-ripple wonders
This is the world of Dominic Walsh’s “The Ghost Behind Me.” It’s the highlight of Whim W’Him’s “IN-spired,” and another example of company founder-director Olivier Wevers introducing a dandy new choreographic talent to the Seattle scene. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – January 25, 2016
Whim W’Him Warms Up A Winter Night
When Artistic Director Olivier Wevers formed the company in 2009, most of Whim W’Him’s repertoire was Wevers’ own work. Early on, though, Wevers added dances by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to his programs. Now “Whimmers” have come to expect a smorgasbord of work by different choreographers. This January’s production fit the bill to a tee. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And another thing… – January 25, 2016
GENIUS IN TRIPLICATE: IN-SPIRED AT WHIM W’HIM
Three dances, completely varied in concept, design, and intension, united together to create a labyrinth so perfectly intricate, even Jareth would be envious of its brilliance. (Rest in Peace, Mr. Bowie). [Full Article]
Michele Solano, Thus Spoke Lady M – January 24, 2016
Top Things to Do This Weekend: January 21–24
Whim W’Him artistic director Olivier Wevers gets more abstract in his company’s latest show In-Spired. While his dances normally feature narratives, his newest creation instead focuses on the bliss of dancing, to Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 77. Works by Seattle’s own Mark Haim and Houston standout Dominic Walsh round out the bill. [Full Article]
Seattle Met Magazine – January 21, 2016
The Picklist: The Week’s Recommended Events
Olivier Wevers has been cultivating a sense of play with his Whim W’Him company, and if you’re looking for a bubbly evening in the theater, you’ll certainly find it with them. But there’s much more going on than surface-level sparkle—Wevers has been methodically hiring dancers whose skill set extends from the heightened physicality of ballet to the expressive power of modern dance, then commissioning or creating works that put all those strengths into play. This program includes new works by Mark Haim, who connects postmodern dance with his classical-music background; the award-winning Dominic Walsh in collaboration with Two Star Symphony from Texas; and Wevers himself. All fun, yes, and much more. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – January 21, 2016
Woo Hoo! A New Year, More New Dance!
Whim W’Him presents “IN-spired,” an evening of three new works; Whim W’Him founder Olivier Wevers has been back in the studio. The company also presents commissions by award-winning Seattle choreography Mark Haim, and by Texas-based Dominic Walsh, a former principal dancer with Houston Ballet. Really excited to see all three dances. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And another thing… – January 20, 2016
A witty, enchanting ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Grand Rapids Ballet
Choreographer Olivier Wevers is known for his great wit, and in his sprightly take on Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” he gives it free rein. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Times – October 08, 2015
WHIM W’HIM BLOSSOMS WITH CHOREOGRAPHIC INVITATIONAL
Choreographic Shindig provided an incredible opportunity to see Whim W’Him dancers perform works by a diverse range of choreographers that showcased their adaptability and manifold technique. With over 95 applicants to choose from, the selection of Peugh, Kerr, and Rustem demonstrated that the dancers’ taste is as notable as their technique. [Full Article]
Miranda Chantelois, SeattleDances – September 16, 2015
Whim W’Him’s ‘Choreographic Shindig’
The dancers’ abilities to seamlessly move from one piece to the next is a testament to the impressive elasticity of their skill sets. It also proves accessible for all audiences. If you posses a strong knowledge of dance and dance technique, this dexterity is striking. If you’re new to the genre, you get a wonderfully mixed plate of choreography performed at the highest levels. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts Magazine – September 16, 2015
Whim W’him’s Choreographic Shindig
It’s hard to believe that Olivier Wevers’ platform for choreography, Whim W’Him, has passed its five-year mark and is growing and going strongly in 2015-16, with a second year of dancers under contract – a consistent roster of dancers, so important to artistic and organizational growth – and a couple of rotating performance homes. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, Critical Dance – September 14, 2015
Lyrical and physically demanding at the same time, this short gem has it all: strong performances by the entire company, inventive choreography, a touch of humor, but most of all, “The Road to Here” has an emotional resonance that sits with you long after the lights come up and the audience files out. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And Another Thing… – September 13, 2015
A THREE COURSE FEAST FOR ALL THE SENSES
Mr. Wevers said in the Q&A after the show that his goal for Whim W’Him was to create a company where artists can flourish and grow, and I’d say the 2015 Choreographic Shindig proves that his goal has been beautifully and exquisitely achieved. With selfless vision like that, Whim W’Him has a very bright future ahead. [Full Article]
Michele Solano, Thus Spoke Lady M Blog – September 13, 2015
Whim W’Him makes some new moves with ‘Choreographic Shindig’
The dancers were invited to select three choreographers (out of nearly 100 who applied) to set work on them. They chose brilliantly. “Choreographic Shindig” is as varied and vital as can be. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – September 12, 2015
A Shining “Shindig” from Whim W’Him
One mark of a first-rate artist is the capacity to constantly change and grow, to push boundaries and limits. In this latest outing from Whim W’Him, artistic director Olivier Wevers demonstrates that he can do this even when he’s not choreographing. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer – September 12, 2015
Modern dance with a twist, 1-minute movies, and designing for equity: your Weekend List
This unique process should generate something equally unique on stage at what is arguably this town’s best venue to see dance: the intimate and comfortable Erickson Theatre on Capitol Hill. [Full Article]
Florangela Davila, Crosscut – September 10, 2015
The Pick List: This Week’s Recommended Events
Maurya Kerr, Joshua Peugh, and Ihsan Rustem are all new to Seattle audiences, but they share some of the fluid virtuosity that is Wevers’ calling card. This should be a sinuous evening in the theater. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – September 08, 2015
WHIM W’HIM PRESENTS X-POSED IN SEATTLE, WA
It was emotional, it was raw, it was honest, and it was brilliant all the way around. [Full Article]
Michele Solano, Thus Spoke Lady M Blog – June 08, 2015
Whim W’Him does deliver intellectual depth in the pieces it commissions, but it is the caliber of the dancers that makes the company a treasure of Seattle dance. [Full Article]
Ciara McCormack, Seattle Dances – June 04, 2015
Whim W’Him Artistic Director Olivier Wevers has made it standard practice to include other choreographers on his programs. Manuel Vignoulle’s work was new for me, and a welcome chance to revel in his artistic vision. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And another thing… – June 03, 2015
A Fitting Season Closer for Whim W’Him
It’s very exciting to watch a young dance company grow in skill and sophistication and that’s precisely what’s happening with Whim W’Him. The company’s latest outing, a program called X-Posed, is the troupe’s most polished to date, offering three works that are completely different in look and feel. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer – May 31, 2015
Whim W’Him dancers master many styles
Under Wevers’ guidance, the company has become a canvas on which a growing number of choreographers can sketch a versatile array of stage visions. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – May 30, 2015
The Must List: Whim W’Him’s X-Posed
Former PNB dancer Olivier Wevers directs his recently formed company in X-Posed, featuring three new pieces: one by Seattle’s edgy Kate Wallich; one by French choreographer Manuel Vignoulle; and one by Wevers himself, exploring what’s unfiltered, raw and real. [Full Article]
The Seattle Magazine – May 29, 2015
Don’t Miss Whim W’Him’s Dark, Dreamy, Damn Near Impossible Dance Show X-POSED This Weekend Only!
Whim W’Him is the 2009 creation of former Pacific Northwest Ballet prinicipal dancer Olivier Wevers, and for its short time in the Seattle dance scene it’s made quite an impression on local arts culture. [Full Article]
Melody Datz Hansen, The Stranger – May 29, 2015
Exposing black hearts, sins, and ripple effects
[The show] has three very unique voices,” Wevers said. “We want to support local choreographers, that’s why we’ve asked Kate, but we also look on the national level and the international level and that’s how I found Manuel. [Full Article]
Imana Gunawan, UW’s Daily – May 29, 2015
Seattle Weekly’s Pick List
Choreographer Olivier Wevers has recognized from the beginning that one way to insure variety for his Whim W’Him company is to share the stage—he’s never wanted it to be a one-choreographer show. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – May 27, 2015
Seeing the three [choreographer’s work] together gave a glimpse at the company’s range: Wevers’ choreography provided Whim W’Him’s core aesthetic, while Landon and Saunders’ works showed the breadth of the performers’ talents. [Full Article]
Anna Waller, SeattleDances – January 22, 2015
In Whim W’Him’s ‘Threefold,’ a diverse look at relationships
Artistic Director Olivier Wevers and two guest choreographers take on the subject in different ways and different styles, creating a diverse, cohesive evening of dance. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Times – January 17, 2015
“[This program] is three different ways of working, using bodies, thinking about the movement, or thinking about the body,” said Wevers. [Full Article]
Imana Gunawan, UW’s Daily – January 16, 2015
The Weekend List: Seattle’s arts and culture guide
2015 is a big year for Whim W’Him: For the first time the company will be adding a third rep. For the dancers, that means 31 weeks of work. For the public, that means an opportunity to see nine new works by eight choreographers from all over the world (including local Kate Wallich).
Florangela Davila, Crosscut.com – January 15, 2015
The Top Things to Do This Weekend: January 15–18
Contemporary dance company Whim W’Him opens 2015 with three fresh blasts of dance. Acclaimed young choreographers Loni Landon (New York City) and Penny Saunders (Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance) make their Seattle debuts alongside a piece from Whim W’Him artistic director Olivier Wevers. [Full Article]
Seattle Metropolitan Magazine – January 15, 2015
WHIM W’HIM Presents “THREEFOLD”: JANUARY 16 – 18
Contemporary dance troupe Whim W’Him continues to serve new choreography to Seattle audiences with a increasingly wide aesthetic range. Founder and artistic director Olivier Wevers founded the company with a fusion of ballet and contemporary movement in mind, and in this style he has created a diverse body of work ranging from witty, saucy satire to grittier pieces on the subject of violence and justice. [Full Article]
T.S. Flock, Vanguard Seattle – January 13, 2015
The Pick List: This Week’s Recommended Events
Whim W’Him’s artistic director has made a number of intriguing dances since he founded his company in 2009, but he’s also been a smart shopper, commissioning new works and staging existing ones by a variety of contemporary choreographers. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – January 13, 2015
Whim W’Him expands beyond its pickup company roots.
As a growing number of dance companies turn to project-based models, Seattle-based Whim W’Him is taking a leap in the opposite direction. [Full Article]
Anna Waller, Dance Magazine – August 01, 2014
Whim W’Him: #UNPROTECTED at Erickson Theatre
Whim W’Him’s core concept—classical modes reinvigorated by their fusion with contemporary movement and a multidiscplinary approach to all aspects of production—has been proved to be more than viable by Wevers and his collaborators, and in #UNPROTECTED one sees just how much variety in vision and style is yet to be explored. [Full Article]
T.S. Flock, Vanguard Seattle – May 22, 2014
Opening Nights: #UNPROTECTED
Choreographer Olivier Wevers has made a series of smart moves since he launched his company Whim W’Him in 2010, both onstage and off. With this latest program—his longest performance series to date—and dancers now on contract, he’s looking to create a permanent company rather than work with a constantly shifting pick-up group. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – May 20, 2014
Whim W’Him: The Courage Of Conviction
Choreographer Olivier Wevers has spent more than five years propelled by the courage not only to make dances, but to forge a dance company in the worst economic climate since the Great Depression. His company Whim W’Him is in the midst of its spring program at Seattle’s Erickson Theater. #unprotected is an evening of three new works by Wevers and two guest choreographers. They’re a manifestation of not only Wevers’ artistic vision; they’re also the fruit of his courage and perseverance. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And another thing… – May 19, 2014
Whim W’Him constantly challenges social norms in unique and pivotal ways, as demonstrated in their last series ‘Instantly Bound.’ We can’t wait to see what they have next in store. [Full Article]
Juliana Pera, Vanguard – May 18, 2014
Whim W’Him offers a compelling trio of premieres
In “#unprotected,” Whim W’Him’s artistic director Olivier Wevers has done the nearly impossible, offering us a beautifully balanced mixed-bill program of three world premieres that are all equally compelling. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Times – May 16, 2014
Whim W’Him dance company comes to Capitol Hill with #unprotected
In its fifth year of performing, innovative Seattle dance company Whim W’Him is performing its first full-length evening of works on Capitol Hill with eight performances at the Erickson Theatre. [Full Article]
Miryam Gordon, Capitol Hill Seattle Blog – May 15, 2014
The Weekend List
Whim W’Him shows are always fresh, physical and visual. And rarely have I missed one of the reps or not touted them to some dance-seeking friend. [Full Article]
Florangela Davila, Crosscut – May 15, 2014
Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is an engaging journey of astonishing originality
Grand Rapids Ballet last week premiered an entirely new production by Olivier Wevers that’s an engaging journey full of choreography that sometimes is astonishing in its originality and inventiveness. [Full Article]
Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Michigan Live – May 14, 2014
The Pick List: The Week’s Recommended Events
Olivier Wevers continues to experiment with movement so slippery you need rubber gloves to catch it. This fifth-anniversary year, Wevers is putting the company dancers on contract and adding another week to its usual run—two more big steps for a group that excels at fancy footwork. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – May 14, 2014
A Fiendish Conversation with Whim W’Him’s Olivier Wevers
“…The style of the works, the moods of the works—that’s important to me to keep the evening flowing with different speeds, different moods. I’m also excited about being in the Erickson and not having any wings. We’re using the black walls around the theatre. There’s no front curtain, there’s no wings, there’s no place to hide. It’s exciting. It’s a little bit scary, but exciting.” [Full Article]
Seth Sommerfeld, Seattle Metropolitan – May 14, 2014
Whim W’Him takes step toward being full-time dance company
Whim W’Him has a new executive director and contracts signed for a 24-week season in 2014-15. These developments are part of a long-term strategy to place Whim W’Him as a high-profile player in Seattle’s dance scene and a steady presence on the touring circuit in the U.S. and beyond. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – May 11, 2014
Andrew Bartee emerges as an experimental choreographer. This month he’s unveiling a world premiere as one of three pieces in Whim W’Him’s #unprotected. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts Magazine – April 28, 2014
2014 Auditions Guide: Forget the Cattle Calls
“I want a group where dancers can blossom with artistic freedom,” says Olivier Wevers. [Full Article]
Jenny Dalzell, Dance Magazine – February 01, 2014
INSTANTLY BOUND: WHIM W’HIM AT THE CORNISH PLAYHOUSE
The three dances presented over the course of the night were diverse, but there was a cohesion and a strategy to the sequencing, moving from the darkest, dourest material to a moment of levity. [Full Article]
Sarah Brink, Vanguard – January 29, 2014
Bonding- Instantly Bound – Seattle’s Whim W’Him
It will be a pleasure to see how this strong core of talented dancers build together Whim W’Him’s future presentations. [Full Article]
Dan Speer, CriticalDance – January 23, 2014
Whim W’Him Primed for Primetime
For three nights, Seattle Center’s Cornish Playhouse (formerly Intiman Theatre) filled with “whimmers”– artistic director Olivier Wevers’ term for fans of his contemporary dance company Whim W’Him–come to watch Instantly Bound, the initial offering of the company’s fifth season. [Full Article]
Charlotte Hart, Seattle Dances – January 21, 2014
Olivier Wevers: The Benefits Of Baggage
You can take the boy out of the ballet company, but you can’t remove years of immersion in ballet culture from the boy’s psyche. In the case of choreographer Olivier Wevers, that’s a great thing. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, And another thing… – January 21, 2014
A Dazzling Step Forward for Whim W’Him
With its latest program this weekend at the Cornish Playhouse, Whim W’Him has truly come of age as a professional contemporary dance company. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer on January 18, 2014
Whim W’Him’s ‘Instantly Bound’ is a study in dance contrasts
Whim W’Him’s “Instantly Bound,” featuring two works by director Olivier Wevers and one by guest choreographer Juanjo Arques, offers wild contrasts of mood, ranging from a meditation on gun violence to a sex-crazed dinner party. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – January 18, 2014
Olivier Wevers: Making Dance On A Whim
Wevers has always been interested in creating dances. In 2010, Wevers took the plunge and formed Whim W’Him. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, KUOW – January 16, 2014
Olivier Wevers’ latest: A shot in the dark
“These incidents bind us together,” he says, “and make us all think about our mortality. I wanted to capture that — not just the sadness, but also the way that people create something together after an incident.” [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, Crosscut – January 16, 2014
Beverly Hills 90210 with Pointe Shoes
Arques’ choreography sensual and raw, focusing on human interaction, especially in the duets with Tory Piel and Kyle Johnson, where they play off each other’s movements with a moody energy and strong emotional pull. They’re tender, angry, violent and loving towards each other, embodying a sympathetic relationship. Everyone can relate. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts Magazine – January 13, 2014
BEST NEW CHOREOGRAPHY (world premieres or New York premieres.)
Olivier Wevers’ Monster for his company Whim W’Him. In this series of three very different duets, the dancers slide into each other’s space, meeting with either intimacy or contained violence. A highlight of the new Ballet v6.0 series at the Joyce. [Full Article no longer available]
Wendy Perron, Dance Magazine – December 29, 2013
A Third-Degree Slow Burn, at Whim W’Him
It’s full of wry humor and deprecating touches, but undeniably also suffused with sadness and dislocation. [Full Article]
Michael van Baker, The Sunbreak – May 20, 2013
Artist Exposed in ‘Third Degree’
The subject matter may be new, but the choreography is beautifully, classically Whim W’Him. Wevers took a risk by exposing himself so fully, and it paid off as one of the best pieces he’s created in the past year. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts Magazine – May 20, 2013
Whim W’Him’s Vibrant, Arresting Visions of 21st Century Ballet
Seattle is lucky to have Whim W’Him not just as an extraordinary performing ensemble, but as a group that fosters new work and further develops a new mode of making ballet. [Full Article]
Anna Waller, Seattle Dances – May 20, 2013
Whim W’Him show lets PNB’s Andrew Bartee shine
In Whim W’Him’s latest show, “Third Degree,” Bartee is most spectacular in “L’Effleure,” choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, whose work Wevers has championed in Seattle. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – May 18, 2013
Wevers is startling in many ways. His work is robust both in the abundance of his works and in his majestic sense of the balletic vocabulary, like a constantly rotating display case of prismatic gems in which their seemingly changing colors can’t quite be identified. [Full Article]
Christin Call, Seattle Dances – January 23, 2013
A Prodigal…Returns and Serves
Whim W’Him continues to attract and grow audience. Plans are for deserved expansion and a debut at the Joyce Theatre in New York later this year. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, CriticalDance – January 20, 2013
Whim W’Him’s ‘Crave More’: stellar dancers and dance
Stellar dancers, and a mostly stellar lineup of dance works, make Whim W’Him’s “Crave More” a must-see for dance lovers this weekend. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – January 19, 2013
Bold New Dances by Catherine Cabeen, Annabelle Ochoa & Olivier Wevers
The Sofa, set to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9, has an unusual guest artist: a beautiful purple sofa that gets carted around, turned over, hidden underneath, and even strung up. [Full Article]
Michael van Baker, The Sunbreak – January 19, 2013
The Top Things to Do This Long Weekend: Jan 17–21
Olivier Wevers’s modern dance troupe returns with four short works—including local premieres ofThe Sofa and More by Wevers and Before/After by guest choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa—plus the debut of new company dancers and a guest appearance by Lucien Postlewaite, on a quick vacation from Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. [Full Article]
Seattle Metropolitan magazine – January 17, 2013
Get to Know a Creative: Choreographer Olivier Wevers
Since founding the contemporary dance company Whim W’Him in 2009, Artistic Director Olivier Wevers has delighted audiences and critics alike with his mixture of humor, drama and inventive dance movement.
Alice Kaderlan, Crosscut – January 15, 2013
Four hours photographing choreographer Olivier Wevers
at his private home in Seattle made for a fantastic and creative afternoon. [Full Article]
LaRae Lobdell, Photo Sister – July 02, 2012
Flower Festival reveals Wevers’ wit, as well as his ballet experience. Only that knowledge could allow him to subvert the original dance so wonderfully. It also demonstrates Wevers’ gift for the pas de deux. He creates moments of true intimacy for two dancers. Even in ThrOwn, a work for five dancers, the duets stand out. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, Dance International – June 25, 2012
‘Spotlight on Seattle’: performers go to town in dance city
Wevers’ emphasis was on athleticism, theatricality and frisky humor in dance — not always in the same package, but recurring in one combination or another often enough to give you a good notion of his tastes. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – June 07, 2012
2012 Mayor’s Arts Awards winners announced
As Mayor Mike McGinn notes, “This year’s award recipients reflect the diversity of arts and culture in our city and together demonstrate a commitment to access for all to enjoy and participate in the arts.” [Full Article]
Lynn Jacobson, The Seattle Times – June 05, 2012
Utterly Memorable: Approaching Ecstasy
The eerie scenic design, the underplayed overhead lighting, the gut wrenching music expertly played by the St Helens String Quartet (led by the magnificent Michael Jinsoo Lim) – all were utterly remarkable. At the premiere, the music and chorus were beautifully amped and the dance was understated, striking. [Full Article]
Gigi Berardi, 4dancers.org – June 02, 2012
Whim W’Him, The Esoterics, and St. Helens String Quartet’s Exquisite “Approaching Ecstasy” Blends Genres, Bodies
Like so much of the evening, it was inventive and fluid. The mood is playful, experimental. Each poem and dance introduce us to a new scenario [Full Article]
Susanna DW, The Sunbreak – May 22, 2012
[Full Article no longer available online]
Approaching Ecstasy is one of the all-too-rare collaborations where the contributions of each partner are evenly presented. Neither overshadows the other, but, rather, they augment each other. Eric Banks’ delicate music was a lovely mate to Wevers’ delicate choreography. The staging, by Wevers, was restrained but powerful. As the singers walked through the portal, in affectionate pairs, at the end of the piece, leaving only the instrumentalists and conductor Banks onstage in the shafts of soft light, the audience was left, sighing, in a state of grace. What a gift! [Full Article no longer available online]
Marcie Sillman, ARTDISH – May 22, 2012
Visual Metaphors Abound in Whim W’Him’s ‘Approaching Ecstasy’
Approaching Ecstasy proves that Wevers is never stagnant in his work. Constantly developing new choreography is a strength for this Artistic Director. Even with each new work he retains a look that is decidedly “Whim-esque.” Dancers seem to always be moving from the torso, stretching their bodies and limbs as far as they can possibly go, only to take them even farther, creating this magical essence of floating beyond defined limits. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts magazine – May 21, 2012
Romanticism of Ballet in Approaching Ecstasy
What is heartening is that Wevers shows no tendency towards a macho Ballet Boyz superstar aesthetic, and he is genuinely interested in working on artistic problems, especially to the inclusion of other artists. Approaching enlists an intriguing combination of Seattle artists; Wevers adds in his own whimsical way, something meat-y to the dialogue. [Full Article]
Christin Call, Seattle Dances – May 20, 2012
Whim W’Him, Esoterics bring fine dance, fine music for fine evening
Fine visuals, fine dance, fine score — “Approaching Ecstasy” has it all. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – May 19, 2012
Preview: Whim W’Him’s Approaching Ecstasy
Known for its ever inventive and deftly performed works of contemporary ballet, Whim W’Him is once again tackling an ambitious program with its upcoming show, Approaching Ecstasy. [Full Article]
Mariko Nagashima, Seattle Dances – May 16, 2012
Everett native dances into local hearts
“It’s fantastic to be part of this project,” Bartee said. “I love collaborations because it changes the dynamic by incorporating different artistic voices.” [Full Article]
Deanna Duff, The Weekly Herald – May 16, 2012
Approaching Ecstasy Pours Cavafy’s Poetry into Liquid Bones in Suits
When I mentioned this last part to Wevers, he got excited about what he called “liquid bones”: ”In classical ballet, it’s often about all these poses that you do,” he said. “With the great choreographers, you don’t see transitions really, every movement leads to another movement.” [Full Article]
Michael van Baker, The Sunbreak – May 16, 2012
Cavafy’s languid, hothouse verse, overtly homoerotic as few poets before him had dared to be, reveals the emotional life of a gay man in his closeted time, from carnal longing to fear and the burdens of secrecy. [Full Article]
Gavin Borchert, The Seattle Weekly – May 16, 2012
‘Approaching Ecstasy’: a dance-choral excursion with Whim W’Him and guests
To see Andrew Bartee and Lucien Postlewaite balance, float and pivot their way through an intricate duet in rehearsal is akin to watching human slipknots forming and dissolving in rapid, sensual sequence. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – May 13, 2012
Culture Dose: Whim W’Him presents the premiere of “Approaching Ecstasy”
Exciting things are on the horizon for dance company Whim W’Him, which performs alongside live singers for the first time during its May 18-20 performance of “Approaching Ecstasy” at the Intiman Theatre. [Full Article]
Corinne Whiting, The Seattleite – May 02, 2012
The artistic director of Whim W’Him has been in West Michigan, serving as artist-in-residence to help Grand Rapids Ballet Company mount two shows of new choreography, pushing classical ballet into contemporary directions with elements of modern dance. [Full Article]
Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, MLive – April 02, 2012
Wevers’ work is abstract, occasionally unfathomable. But the Belgian-born choreographer’s work also is riveting. [Full Article]
Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, MLive – March 23, 2012
A Shepherd On The Rock
The conclusion of “ThrOwn” was strong, with four of the characters each dumping a small pile of “stones” on the victim, who is then lifted up. Again, this lighter and not exactly literal treatment of his subject matter actually makes a deeper impact – poetic. [Full Article]
Dean Speer, CriticalDance – February 01, 2012
[Full Article no longer available]
Flower Festival reveals Wevers’ wit, as well as his ballet experience. Only that knowledge could could allow him to subvert it so wonderfully. Flower Festival also demonstrates Wevers’ gift for the pas de deux. He creates moments of true intimacy for two dancers. Even in ThrOwn, a work for five dancers, the duets stand out. [Full Article no longer available]
Marci Sillman, ARTDISH – January 26, 2012
Wit Wins in Olivier Wevers’ “Cast the First Rock in Twenty Twelve”
“thrOwn” was a work full of contrasts—male vs. female, society vs. the individual, religion vs. reason—and so was the night as a whole. Wevers purposefully chose to pair the piece with the two comedic works, a move that galvanized the two sections completely. And while the first two were cleaner and more clear-cut, Wevers took a bold, mostly successful risk with “thrOwn,” tossing his own rock out of the circle of playing it safe. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts Magazine – January 23, 2012
From Whim W’Him, Sex Kittens and Sex Kills
Some of Wevers’ most striking choreography comes from the ambivalence with which he freights a romantic pas de deux, and from the willingness of his dancers to act that out—Postlewaite and Eames twine limbs as if their bones were pickled. [Full Article]
Michael van Baker, The Sunbreak – January 23, 2012
Whim W’Him Not All Whimsy with Cast the First Rock in Twenty Twelve
There are moments of exquisite beauty nestled throughout the work, though most revolve around Eames: a tender duet with Postelwaite as her lover, a contorted and a heart-wrenching solo where she both pleads for help and resigns herself to her fate. [Full Article]
Mariko Nagashima, Seattle Dances – January 22, 2012
At Whim W’Him, comedy steals the show
Indignity and grace get inextricably tangled together with a swagger and silliness that’s seamless. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – January 21, 2012
Olivier Wevers’ wit shines in new Whim W’Him choreography
Rather than end “Flower Festival” with a pose,Wevers has the lights go down as Bartee and Postlewaite are still struggling, turning each other by an outstretched leg in an endless circle of one chasing the other. It’s a clever and appropriate conclusion to a delightful romp that had the audience on its feet almost before the stage went to black. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, Crosscut – January 21, 2012
The Weekly Wire: This Week’s Recommended Events
thrOwn is about “righteous cruelty” and retribution, with images of punishment—flogging, electrocution, and stoning—rendered with the articulate virtuosity that is becoming Wevers’ kinetic signature. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – January 18, 2012
For Whim W’Him’s Olivier Wevers, A New Dance is Life or Death
thrOwn is not political, Wevers is careful to say, in the sense of tsking at Islamic theocracies from an elevated moral plane. He wants instead to explore the continuum of judgment that leads from personal disapproval to condemnation at the hands of society. [Full Article]
Michael van Baker, The Sunbreak – January 17, 2012
APAP Showcases at Peridance – Program A
Olivier Wevers’ Flower Festival was performed by Seattle based Whim W’Him, a company who is completely new to me and who absolutely knocked me out with an amazing comic performance. [Full Article]
Karen Shapiro, Body Wrappers/Angelo Luzio – January 17, 2012
Seattle’s Whim W’Him is troupe of the moment
With Wevers and his company going from strength to strength, Seattle dance fans will naturally want to check in with them. They’ll get their chance next weekend when three new Wevers dances — two of them playful, one intense and sobering — are premiered at “Cast the First Rock in Twenty Twelve.” [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – January 15, 2012
Whim W’Him stopped the show with a truly witty duet entitled FLOWER FESTIVAL, set to the familiar music of the Flower Festival at Genzano pas de deux. Danced with spectacular dead-pan comic flair by PNB dancers Andrew Bartee and the inimitable Lucien Postlewaite, FLOWER FESTIVAL is one of the most amusing danceworks ever. [Full Article]
Oberon’s Grove – January 09, 2012
Seattle Royalty: Interviews with Three Princess Grace Award Winners
By receiving national and international recognition, Wevers is enjoying his role in helping to establish Seattle as a prime locale for dance, grateful for the support of a community that values the arts. [Full Article]
Steve Ha and Mariko Nagashima, SeattleDances – November 26, 2011
‘Monster’ Tackles Gay Bullying Through Dance
Seattle-based choreographer Olivier Wevers takes aim at gay bullying through an emotion-filled dance “Monster,” which can be seen as part of the upcoming Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival this month. [Full Article]
Jessica E. Davis, The Palm Desert Patch – November 03, 2011
Supporting the area’s new dance company
Under Mr. Wevers leadership, Whim is quickly becoming recognized as the leader in our community for creating contemporary new works that are mesmerizing to audiences. [Full Article]
Rose Dennis, The Bellevue Reporter – October 20, 2011
Built for Man of the Month: Olivier Wevers
This month, we salute Olivier Wevers, Choreographer and Artistic Director at Seattle dance company Whim W’Him. As an artist and an innovator, Olivier uses hiscreative fervor for dance to infuse originality into a medium that has been practiced since the beginning of time. [Full Article]
M. Humphrey, Built For Man – October 15, 2011
Seattle choreographer – Olivier Wevers – awarded prestigious fellowship
Seattle choreographer Olivier Wevers, Artistic Director of Whim W’Him, has been awarded a prestigious 2011 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, Crosscut – August 18, 2011
Whim W’Him was voted best Arts Organization by Seattle Weekly’s readers. [Full Article]
The Seattle Weekly – August 01, 2011
Olivier Wevers & Whim W’Him: Dances to a Different Drummer
In late June, Wevers and his company assembled again at Intiman Theatre for reSet, an evening of dance both tempered by reflection, and driven to new heights by a young choreographer’s desire to better translate his vision to the stage. [Full Article]
Michael van Baker, The SunBreak – July 08, 2011
A day of celebration of Olivier Wevers
It was the perfect evening to celebrate the talents of this fabulous dancer, who is someone to continue to watch as he emerges into the Seattle dance arena. We all wish him continued success with his new career as an artistic director and choreographer. [Full Article]
Rose Dennis, The Bellevue Reporter – June 30, 2011
Whim W’Him’s reSet: A New Direction, A Higher Aim
This is a company that is rapidly finding its voice. All that remains is for the voice to have something to tell. Since that has never been a problem for the ensemble, their next work promises something truly unique. One can hardly wait to see what it will be. [Full Article]
Omar Willey, The Seattlest – June 28, 2011
Whim W’Him’s ‘reSet’ makes good second impression
If you want to make a strong impression, it doesn’t hurt to say something twice. With “reSet,” Seattle choreographer Olivier Wevers and his company Whim W’Him offered dance lovers a chance to see two Wevers pieces a second time, as if to reiterate just how good they are. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – June 27, 2011
One of the marks of a mature artist is discipline – the ability to pick and choose among one’s creative ideas and put only those that “fit” into a particular work. Based on Friday night’s performance by Whim W’Him, there’s no question Olivier Wevers is a mature talent who deserves recognition not just in Seattle but in New York and other dance capitals. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer – June 25, 2011
Whim W’Him choreography: a new twist for veteran ballet dancers
Wevers knows his choreography places great technical demands on his dancers, most of whom come from strict ballet backgrounds, and “It’s Not About the Money” is no exception. The music, by the hip New York group Billband, is uptempo and Wevers’ movements require rapid changes in direction. The three dancers dart every which way and when a break comes, they take full advantage to catch their breath from this energetic, abstract work. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, Crosscut – June 22, 2011
Whim W’Him stages three works by Olivier Wevers
There’s a nickname, “Whimmers,” for fans of Whim W’Him, the dazzling new dance troupe helmed by Seattle choreographer Olivier Wevers (newly retired from Pacific Northwest Ballet). There’s also an opportunity this weekend for Whimmers and Whim W’Him novices alike to savor this company’s talents and accomplishments. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – June 22, 2011
Whim W’Him Get Busy Online and On Stage
Only in their second year, Whim W’Him have received extraordinary accolades from sources all around the country including Dance magazine, won a grand prize at the Dance Under The Stars competition for their piece Fragments, announced a five-year residency with the Intiman Theatre and made their international debut at the 4th Annual Choreography Festival in Copenhagen, the first American group to be invited to compete in their finals. [Full Article]
Omar Willey, The Seattlest – June 19, 2011
Whim W’Him Premieres Second Season at Intiman, Has Something to Say About It
Maybe Whim W’Him is Wevers’ chance to cast off the treachery of image and expectation in his own life, helping us to help him emerge as a fresh new face in the Seattle dance community – maybe in a way that no one, not even himself, expects. [Full Article]
Amy Mikel , The Seattlest – January 19, 2011
Whim W’Him at Intiman
Shadows, Monsters and Raincoats establishes Olivier Wevers and Whim W’Him as a vital presence in Seattle’s contemporary dance landscape. Now, especially with Monster, Wevers demonstrates a maturity and confidence in his own choreographic voice. Let’s hope it won’t be another twelve months before the next performance. [Full Article]
Marcie Sillman, Artdish – January 19, 2011
Whim W’Him’s “Shadows, Raincoats & Monster”
This piece throbbed with such intense pain and aching tenderness. This exquisite ‘Monster’ –limping and wounded with the scars of fear—did what nothing else could. It opened my eyes to see the love behind the mask for the first timeÉand it was beautiful. [Full Article]
Denise Opper, Class Act Tutu & Dancewear Blog – January 18, 2011
Here there be monsters – of vital interest to dance fans, thanks to Whim W’Him
Monsters, a new triptych of duets by choreographer Olivier Wevers, was premiered on Friday by Wevers’ dance troupe Whim W’Him — and it’s a tightly knit stunner. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – January 15, 2011
Whim W’Him Brings Shadows, Raincoats and Monsters to the Stage
To capture in a photograph – or even a series of photographs – the amount of focus and control put forth by a ballet dancer is nearly impossible. The raw emotion and energy that is felt by being in their presence is extremely difficult to convey through one single image. I was lucky enough have the chance to attempt it with a behind-the-scenes glimpse of local dance group, Whim W’Him [Full Article]
Nate Watters, City Arts Magazine – January 13, 2011
Q&A: Ballerina Melody Herrera reflects on Shadows, Raincoats & Monsters
They are all amazingly gifted artists and very giving and genuine and honest, and very down to earth. Everyone has an ego I’m sure, but you just don’t feel like that’s an obstacle here. Everyone is bringing their best work ethic and the best of themselves every day and I am completely blessed to be a part of it. [Full Article]
Rachel Gallaher, City Arts Magazine – January 12, 2011
The Weekly Wire: The Week’s Recommended Events
The inaugural show for Olivier Wevers’ Whim W’Him company at On the Boards last year created a big ruckus with the audience. In the lobby following the show, “Needs to be more radical” argued with “Not enough like ballet.” The debate continued on blogs and in the online comments to reviews. Both factions, and everyone in between, should come see the next episode in this young Belgian choreographer’s development. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – January 12, 2011
Whim W’Him ready to revolutionize the world of dance
Undoubtedly, “Shadows, Raincoats and Monsters” will be a tremendous success and catapult Whim W’Him into the realm of greatness, as Wevers is definitely one to watch. [Full Article]
Chris Heide, The Seattle Gay Scene – January 11, 2011
[Full Article no longer available online]
Whim W’Him is more than the name of Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Olivier Wevers’ new dance company. It is an invitation. Whim refers to being whimsical, which means spontaneous. W’Him means ‘with him.’ The name means ‘be spontaneous with him.’ It has a musical rhythm, it’s catchy, easy to remember, and it doesn’t attach any name to it. [Full Article no longer available online]
Elizabeth Griffin, The Journal Media Group – January 03, 2011
These riveting dancers—and Wevers, who also dances in Shadows—are master storytellers. Together with Wevers’ newest pieces, this work proves that Whim W’Him has much to offer. No doubt the next stage in the company’s evolution will be a multi-program season, in part made possible with its new resident status at the Intiman. [Full Article]
Gigi Berardi, Dance Magazine – January 01, 2011
Countdown to 2011: Amy’s 11 Performance Artists to Watch in 2011
I first saw some of Oliver Wevers’ work, Ultimatum, at the 2008 Men in Dance recital. I loved it – that man knows how to make men dance. [Full Article]
Amy Mikel, The Seattlest – December 19, 2010
In the Works: Whim W’Him Rehearsals
In particular, a duet performed by PNB principal Lucien Postlewaite and Houston Ballet principal Melody Herrera mixes incredible formal flourishes, perfect diagonals and lifts. Yet another remarkable layer takes it beyond form and into an interpretation of a scene in your life I am positive you will recognize if you’ve experienced death or grief. [Full Article]
Bond Huberman, City Arts Magazine – December 01, 2010
Every so often a dance work comes along that sears itself into one’s eye and soul. Olivier Wevers’ excerpt from his work-in-progress Monster (which will premiere in its entirety in January) is such a piece. The clear runaway hit of the first weekend of the Men In Dance festival, this excerpt explores the “monster” of prejudice, and worse, that homosexuals confront every day of their lives. [Full Article]
Alice Kaderlan, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer – November 17, 2010
Whim W’Him wins top spot at choreography festival
Whim W’Him was one of 12 finalists, out of 107 choreographic works, to perform in at the festival in front of an audience and an expert panel of 5 judges. The non-profit dance company earned grand prize honors, along with a $5,000 award. [Full Article]
Queen Anne View – November 16, 2010
A little wow, more monotony in Northwest Dance Project’s season opener
Olivier Wevers’s occasionally witty “This Is Not a Raincoat,” inspired by the paintings of his fellow Belgian Rene Magritte, raised the curtain and showed the most craft. [Full Article]
Martha Ullman West, Oregon Live – October 02, 2010
[Full Article no longer available online]
3Seasons is Wevers’ best yet — one of the most intriguing dances I’ve seen in a while and the reason that I, for one, will be getting my tickets for his next program well in advance. [Full Article no longer available online]
Mary Murfin Bayley, City Arts Magazine – January 26, 2010
Whim W’Him
The highlight of the evening was the premier of Wevers’ new dance, 3Seasons. Wevers’ meditation on our consumerist society, 3Seasons is set to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with a twist.
Marcie Sillman, Artdish – January 19, 2010
Never have I seen such a decisive take on our modern world that fused together the elements of style, wit, humor and hope so beautifully. In fact, I have a feeling that this piece will serve as the springboard by which all other collaborative efforts will be judged, and provide Whim W’Him with a prominent position in the annals of dance history. [Full Article]
Denise Opper, Vala Dancewear Blog – January 18, 2010
Whim W’Him, On the Boards, Seattle
In September, when Olivier Wevers announced the details of his new company Whim W’Him, he lit a fuse of excitement that has burned steadily in the Seattle dance community ever since. Why the furore? This Belgian has been a favourite principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet for 12 years. His choreography often ranks among the best in local dance festivals. [Full Article]
Rosie Gaynor, The Financial Times – January 18, 2010
Whim W’Him’s full-length debut is a breathtaking evening of dance
I would say do anything you can — cash in your life insurance, pawn your children, whatever it takes — to grab a ticket to “3Seasons,” the first full-length evening of work by Olivier Wevers and his new dance company, Whim W’Him. [Full Article]
Michael Upchurch, The Seattle Times – January 16, 2010
Whim W’Him and the Politics of Dancing
If Wevers’ interests as choreographer extend beyond the boundaries of dance for art’s sake, and into environmental and social issues, he’s also establishing himself as a gesamtkunstwerk creative director, taking into consideration the possibilities of the theatrical experience. [Full Article]
Michael van Baker, The Sunbreak – January 15, 2010
Whim W’Him
Wevers says for him, the name Whim W’Him conveys his whimsical approach to making dance, and some of the whimsy he hopes audiences will take away from the performance.
Marcie Sillman, KUOW – January 13, 2010
The choreographic style he’s developed in the past few years is also virtuosic and quirky, a highly physical, musical, and detailed approach. Seeing him right now may be similar to what it was like to see Twyla Tharp or Jirí Kylián early in their careers. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – January 13, 2010
Dissolving Ballet (and disappearing tickets)
Besides being a superstar performer, Belgian-born Wevers has true choreographic talent — his phrases are never arbitrary; always probing at matters physical or psychological; there’s something mesmerizing about the gooey, sticky way his phrases come together. [Full Article]
Jean Lenihan, The breathlesspace – January 09, 2010
…this month, the 38–year–old will strike out on his own, debuting his new dance company Whim W’Him with a performance of the ensemble piece Three Seasons. It’s a playful, provocative piece showcasing familiar Seattle dancers in new contexts—swapping gender roles, breaking classical ballet lines, and donning neo–tutus. [Full Article]
Jean Lenihan, Seattle Metropolitan – January 01, 2010
Olivier Wevers is the embodiment of a classically trained artist. As a Principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Olivier has left his own indelible mark of perfection upon each role he’s portrayed. He is not only a seasoned artist, but a prolific and highly acclaimed choreographer, receiving numerous awards and accolades for his impressive work and unique style. [Full Article]
Denise Opper, Vala Dancewear Blog – December 08, 2009
Best Innovator in Tights
Right now, Wevers’ choreographic life is on a roll, fueled by curiosity and enthusiasm. [Full Article]
Sandra Kurtz, The Seattle Weekly – June 08, 2008