It happened Sunday evening on Governors Island at the start of “duel c,” a movement piece by Andros Zins-Browne. Along with several other audience members, I was standing inside “Moving Chains,” a large kinetic sculpture by Charles Gaines that is shaped like a ship open at both ends. The subject of “Moving Chains” is weighty: no less than slavery. “Duel c” wrestled with burdensome themes, but in a playful tone. This light approach to heavy subjects proved consistent across the two other dance performances I saw last week as part of River to River, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s free summer arts festival.

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Persons: Andros Zins, Browne, Charles Gaines, Maribel Alonso, —, Molly Lieber, Eleanor Smith, ”, Antonio Ramos, Clemente Soto Vélez Organizations: Education Center Locations: of, Manhattan, Lower