NAME: Al Falak, Hassan

BIRTH DATE/LOCATION:
Not available.

  • identification & bio
  • key contact
  • human repositories
  • video documentation
  • photographic documentation
    		•
  • movement notation
  • production materials
  • oral history
  • personal papers
  • immediate needs
    		•
  • other relevant information
  • overview of works
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    IDENTIFICATION AND BIO:
    In 1991, choreographer Hassan al Falak created a tribute to his one-time dance teacher Ed Mock, who died from AIDS-related causes in 1986. Titled Hoodoo Spell #1 (For Male Ancestors), the piece featured playful and dueling relationships between a dancing al Falak and musicians Jeremy Robinson Topp (drum set) and Chip Dabney (saxophone and piano). Making references to Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Alvin Ailey, and Mock, al Falak improvised the kinetic tribute while displaying his own swirling, elegant movement vocabulary.

    Al Falak arrived in the Bay Area in 1980 where he immediately began to study with Ed Mock and eventually danced with Mock’s company. While in San Francisco, al Falak also danced with the San Francisco Opera Ballet and choreographers such as Ellen Bromberg, Joe Goode, and Anna Sokolow. He moved to Tucson, Arizona, in the early 90s where he received an Arizona Artists Fellowship Award in 1994.

    KEY CONTACT PERSON(S)/EXECUTOR OF ESTATE:
    Hassan Al Falak has not been found using internet searches.

    HUMAN REPOSITORIES OF THE WORK
    (name and contact info, relationship to the artist and the work, assessment):
    None identified.

    VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
    (location, format, condition, assessment):
    None listed in the catalog of the San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum.

    PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
    (location, format, condition, assessment):
    The San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum (SFPALM) has two folders for Al Falak with at least one photograph by Bonnie Kamin (8x10, Black and White). Additional photographs are possibly located in files for Caravan/Movement and Sound Collection and Falcon Dance Theater Collection.

    MOVEMENT NOTATION
    (location, type [including notes taken by dancers], assessment):
    None identified.

    PRODUCTION MATERIALS
    (scores, sound recordings, set/costume designs):
    None identified.

    ORAL HISTORY:
    None identified.

    PERSONAL PAPERS
    (location of newspaper clippings, printed programs, press releases, notes, files, diaries; assessment):
    SFPALM has two folders for Al Falak with programs, press releases, and at least one photograph. Additional materials are possibly located in files for Caravan/Movement and Sound Collection and Falcon Dance Theater Collection.

    IMMEDIATE NEEDS
    (archival assistance? storage? other?):
    Locate Hassan al Falak, last known to be living in Arizona as of 1998.

    OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
    None.

    OVERVIEW OF WORKS PERTAINING TO HIV/AIDS
    (title, premiere date, music, production notes, performers):

    Hoodoo Spell #1 (For Male Ancestors) (1991)—solo improvisation for al Falak; musicians: Chip Dabney and Jeremy Robinson Topp; Bay Area Dance Series, Laney Theater, Oakland, Calif.

    BIBLIOGRAPHY:

    • Gere, David. 1991. "Paying Homage in a Holy Light: Independent Choreographers Unveil Inspirational Works." Oakland Tribune (4 March).
         		 
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