Farewell tour: Sounddance was one highlight of Merce Cunningham Dancers' final performance in Berkeley

PHOTO BY TONY DOUGHERTY

In this context, the sweet Sounddance felt like a farewell. Robert Swinston, the ensemble's rehearsal director and a company member since 1980, stepped into the Cunningham role. As heavy baroque curtains seemed to spit out the dancers one by one, he tried to keep an eye on the multiple actions — four men manipulating Andrea Weber; evanescent couples and line dancing; Rashaun Mitchell enclosing everyone in a magic circle. In the end, the dancers and Swinston/Cunningham disappeared back into the curtains. It seemed very final.