Limón Dance Company Performed Historic Mazurkas
The troupe presented the full choreography of Mazurkas for the first time since 1964 at Salt Lake Citys Kingsbury Hall.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Dance
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The Limón Dance Company kicked off the Kingsbury Hall season with a performance featuring the full choreography of Mazurkas. This marked the first time the piece has been presented in its entirety since 1964.
Why it matters
The performance provided a rare look at the work created by José Limón in 1958 to honor the spirit of the Polish people after World War II. It also showcased modern reinterpretations alongside legacy pieces from the companys long history.
The production of Mazurkas featured 13 distinct dances performed by a group of seven dancers. José Limón choreographed 74 works throughout his career, with Mazurkas first created in 1958.
The players
Limón Dance Company
Founded in 1946, this modern dance ensemble preserves and performs the works of choreographer José Limón.
José Limón
A pioneering choreographer who created 74 works during his lifetime and shaped the direction of American modern dance.
Aszure Barton
A contemporary choreographer who created the piece Join for the company in 2025.
University of Utah School of Dance
An academic institution whose students performed an excerpt of Psalm during the showcase.
The details
The show at Kingsbury Hall included a diverse range of solo, duet, trio, and quartet dances. University of Utah School of Dance students also participated by performing an excerpt from Limóns 1967 piece, Psalm, while the new 2025 work Join by Aszure Barton was reimagined from a lost piece titled Orestes.
Timeline
The Limón Dance Company was founded in 1946.
The choreography for Mazurkas was created in 1958.
The last full performance of Mazurkas occurred in 1964.
Psalm was originally choreographed in 1967.
The piece Join was created in 2025.
Industry Dynamics
The return of the full 1964 choreography of Mazurkas marks a significant archival milestone for the dance world. This revival highlights how established companies are increasingly balancing legacy repertory preservation with modern artistic commissions.
The performance served as the season opener for Kingsbury Hall, providing Salt Lake City residents with access to professional repertory dance. Audience members were able to witness both historical choreography and contemporary works during the same program.
The takeaway
Reviving complex historical works like Mazurkas requires extensive archival research and artistic dedication to maintain the original intent of the choreography. Audiences can gain a deeper appreciation for modern dance by seeing how contemporary creations, like Barton's Join, interact with legacy pieces.
Further reading
For more information on the local arts scene, visit the Dance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Utah Chronicle.
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