Switzerland-based American dancer Trajal Harrell returns to New Haven for a rare U.S. appearance — his first at Yale since graduating from the university in 1990—with two tender, personal and emotionally charged performances, a moderated talk, and a public workshop led by a member of Trajal’s dance company. The first performance, held at the Schwarzman Center, presents Harrell’s interpretation of Keith Jarrett’s best-selling, gospel-infused jazz piano performance, The Köln Concert. Music of Joni Mitchell sets the stage before The Köln Concert as Harrell and seven dancers showcase a way for people to meet despite different languages, world views, life stations and identities. The second performance, held at the Yale School of Art’s 32 Edgewood Gallery, is Made-to-Measure, a series of works that examines a conversation between two very different kinds of dance both with roots in 1960s New York. A talk at the Yale University Art Gallery moderated by Curator Mark Mitchell explores Trajal’s career and inspirations as a dancer and choreographer. The appearance closes with a workshop, “The choreographic world of Trajal Harrel,” which introduces participants to the artist’s choreographic and performative practice as part of the Schwarzman Center’s EveryBody Dances masterclass series. Each performance showcases Harrell’s masterful storytelling, eclectic range and influence—from voguing and post-modern to ancient Greek mythology and Japanese butoh dance—earning him the acclaim as “the next Martha Graham.”

Doors open at 7:00 PM and a conversation will follow the performance at 8:25 PM.