Kyle Abraham’s New York-based company A.I.M. makes its Cal Performances debut at Zellerbach Hall this weekend, rolling into town with three recent works set to live music. The program pairs Abraham’s athletic, tightly structured choreography with jazz-inflected scores, and includes the Bay Area premiere of a new piece. Slotted into A.I.M.’s 20th-anniversary season, the run leans into both political charge and quieter, more intimate moments.
Event details
Cal Performances lists shows on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall. Tickets range from $38 to $86, with more information available from Cal Performances.
Abraham’s approach
Lou Fancher writes for the Bay Area Reporter that Abraham’s dances are multilayered with solidity, architecture, harmonious expression and surprising contrasts, a description that lines up neatly with this program’s mix of formal clarity and emotional sweep. Local audiences can expect choreography that treats the score as a full creative partner instead of simple background music.
What’s on the bill
The evening brings three Abraham works to Berkeley: The Gettin’ (2014), If We Were a Love Song (2021) and 2x4 (2025), with 2x4 receiving its Bay Area premiere, according to a Cal Performances press release. That release notes that the program features live vocalists Crystal Monee Hall and Charenée Wade, a rhythm section and two saxophonists, while spotlighting Robert Glasper’s arrangements for The Gettin’ and an original score by composer and saxophonist Shelley Washington for 2x4. The staging of 2x4 places two baritone saxophones onstage with four dancers, a setup that underscores dialogue, counterpoint and stillness in equal measure.
Why this run matters
“What’s charging me right now is trying to persevere and push myself,” Abraham told Harper’s Bazaar, language that helps explain the program’s blend of urgency and tenderness. For Bay Area audiences, the Cal Performances engagement offers a tight snapshot of how Abraham matches a rigorously trained company with live improvisers and contemporary jazz aesthetics.
Practical notes
Cal Performances has stated that live audio descriptions will be available at the Sunday matinee and that headsets may be reserved through the ticket office. UC Berkeley student discounts and other accessibility information are handled through the Zellerbach Hall box office and the Cal Performances website.
