Department of Dance presents annual Winter Gala concert
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University’s Department of Dance will present its annual Winter Gala dance concert Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 25-27, in the Shaw Theatre at the Gilmore Theatre Complex. Performances are at 8 p.m. on all dates with a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday, Feb. 27.
This year’s program will include two Great Works dances, two additional guest artist pieces, three faculty works and one dance by a pair of student choreographers.
About the concert
Great Works Dance Project
Under the auspices of WMU’s Great Works Dance Project, Rennie Harris, artistic director of Rennie Harris Puremovement Dance Co., brings his piece, “Continuum,” to the stage. “Continuum” is a hip-hop performance in which a cypher is formed around dancers to make room for them to freestyle and show their personalities.
Harris has received numerous awards for his theatrical hip-hop dance performances. He is known for a host of innovative repertory works, which have broken many stereotypes and expectations of hip-hop dance.
The Great Works Dance Project will also present "Con Amore" by Lew Christensen. Set to three Rossini overtures, "Con Amore" is a comedic and bubbling adventure.
Choreographed in 1953, this was Christensen's first major ballet after becoming artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet and was the first of over fifty ballets Christensen would create to fill the company's repertory. "Con Amore" is Christensen's most popular and widely performed ballet.
Guest choreography
Guest artist James Gregg, a Montreal-based choreographer, has created a new work titled "Out of the Dark." Gregg is interested in creating movement from the inside out and exploring different paths and routes through which the body can move.
Most recently, Gregg was the recipient of the 2015 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Award. He was also the winner for Ballet Austin's 2014 New American talent choreographic competition, and in 2011 he was named the winner of the International Choreographic Competition at Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur.
WMU’s touring ensemble, Western Dance Project, will perform the work “Rekenen” by guest artist Liv Schaffer.
Schaffer is a member of DanceWorks Chicago and a graduate of Alonzo King's Lines Ballet. She has toured Central American countries such as Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua as a dance and choreographer with the Juntos Collective.
Faculty choreography
Adding to the depth of works in the program are three new works created by dance department faculty. Carolyn Pavlik is creating a new work, "The illusion has been just a dream…." Inspired by Charles Manson and his followers, this piece delves into ideas of manipulation, retribution and regret.
"Ahyem," choreographed by Professor David Curwen, features the driving score of Bryce Dressner and is placed within a visual environment adapted from the artwork of Peter Demetz. The current migration of refugees from Syria into Europe provides a powerful undercurrent to "Aheym," the Yiddish word for homeward.
"Let It Move You," molded by faculty member Monique Haley, shares with the audience the gratitude this year’s incoming class of dancers feel to move their bodies and celebrate the art form they love as a fierce, driven, unified group.
Student choreography
Two student choreographers, graduating senior Jordan Colovos and junior Sinclair Davis, will round out the concert with their duet, "In A Sentimental Mood." The duet explores both sides of a relationship and the many layers that compose the complex rapport between both parties.
Tickets
Seating is reserved and ticket prices are $20 for general audiences; $14 for members of Partners in Dance, seniors, and WMU faculty and staff; and $8 for students. To purchase tickets, contact the Gilmore Ticket Office at (269) 387-6222.
For more information, contact WMU's Department of Dance at (269) 387-5830.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.