Contact Information (press inquiries only) The New York Public Library Public Relations Office 188 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 phone: 212.592.7700 fax: 212.592.7729 
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Martha Graham Dancers to Perform Lamentation in Windows of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Overlooking Lincoln Center Plaza, April 18 to 21 Viewers May See Landmark Graham Solo On Lunch Break The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is joining the celebration marking the Martha Graham Dance Company's 80th anniversary with four days of live lunch-time performances of Graham's iconic solo Lamentation. The program series, Lamentation at the Library, will be performed three times in the windows above the Library's entrance on Lincoln Center Plaza between noon and 1:00 p.m. from Tuesday, April 18, through Friday, April 21. Performances will begin at 12:00 p.m., 12:25 p.m., and 12:50 p.m. Viewers may see a masterpiece on their lunch break for free in front of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza. For further information, telephone 212.870.1630 or go to the Library's website at www.nypl.org. "The Martha Graham Dance Company is one of America's national treasures and, as the nation's premiere repository for performing arts archives, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is proud to salute the great achievements of this company and to be part of its 80th anniversary celebrations," remarked Jacqueline Z. Davis, the Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director of the Library. "A silent, color film from 1930 of Martha Graham dancing Lamentation is one of the assets of the Dance Division of the Library and was instrumental in the Graham company's reconstruction of this solo in 1974." Three Graham dancers will share the performances: April 18 and April 20, Lamentation will be danced by Elizabeth Auclair; on April 19, the solo will be danced by Katherine Crockett; and on April 21, Heidi Stoeckley Godoy will be the dancer. Lamentation, choreographed in 1930, is considered Martha Graham's most famous solo, both emotionally and physically capturing the essence of Graham's inimitable contribution to dance. Although only 4 minutes in length, the image of a lone figure on a bench wrapped in her own grief has become a modern dance icon. In a strictly physical sense, the dance springs from Graham's unique technical vocabulary, with the deep inner workings of the torso creating a sculptural exterior of powerful emotional images. Through Lamentation, Graham first achieved what would be her lifelong mission as an artist: to create "the thing itself." Rather than representing a woman grieving, she became grief. Graham herself used the Library for the Performing Arts's film of Lamentations when she recreated the solo for Janet Eilber, now the artistic director of the company. The Martha Graham Dance Company, America's oldest dance troupe, is observing its 80th anniversary with a weeklong celebration of performances, special guests, symposiums, and a gala. The festivities kick off Tuesday, April 18th, exactly 80 years after the company's debut performance in 1926 at the 46th Street Theater (now the Richard Rodgers Theater). Besides Lamentation at the Library at midday, the Graham company's opening day includes a Gala Performance on April 18 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. This launches an 18-month celebration that will continue through the fall of 2007. For more information and for Gala tickets, telephone the Martha Graham Company at 212.521.3667 or visit www.marthagrahamdance.org ### Contact: Rima Corben 212.704.8600
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