Aerial Dance Theater, an affiliate of Hope College, will present its Annual Fall Dance Concert on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28, at 8 p.m. with guest company Eisenhower Dance Ensemble at the Knickerbocker Theater. Each company will present multiple works.

Aerial Dance Theater, under the direction of
Steven Iannacone and Linda Graham, will be premiering
Iannacone's work titled "Bolero," set to music of the same
name by Ravel. Just as Ravel felt that his composition was
his strongest piece of non-music, Iannacone made his work a
sort of "non-dance dance."

"Bolero," subtitled "in the grip of an obsession,"
explores the progression of a gentle fascination to an
unrelenting fixation that crushes the senses. Dancing in
the piece is Iannacone with company members Brianne Fry,
Jodi Kurtze, Christine Lutz, Dan Patterson, Emily Poel and
Amy Vertalka.

Aerial will be performing "Just Dust (When Hell
Doesn't Want You and Heaven is Full)," choreographed by
Graham. The three-part work, set to music by Tom Waits,
incorporates a bare theater, a broken down Harley, and
theatrical technology to take the audience on a gritty, raw
journey to a dark destination.

"Beyond Existence," a solo choreographed by
company member Jodi Kurtze, will also performed by Vertalka.
Danced to the music of Andrea Boccelli, "Beyond Existence"
captures the human struggle to break free from a monotonous,
predictable existence and reach a level of passionate,
spontaneous living. The piece physicalizes the dynamic,
textural and emotional qualities of Boccelli's voice.

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, a professional
repertory company based in metropolitan Detroit, will be
performing as a guest in the fall concert.

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble will be performing
excerpts from an audience favorite, "Sweet Ella Suite,"
which is choreographed by assistant director Gregory
Patterson, and set to a collection of classic tunes by the
great Ella Fitzgerald.

The company will present two works by artistic
director Laurie Eisenhower: "Catharsis" and "Mosaics."
Both works display the company's two particular strengths:
innate musicality and ensemble clarity.

In addition to the evening performances, Aerial
will be presenting a "Family Affair" matinee on Saturday,
Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. Dancers will showcase "Red Wolf," recent
winner of the Maggie Allesee New Choreography Award. Set to
rhythmic Algerian music, the work captures the spirit of
tribal ritual as the women dancers explore their
aggressiveness. Also during the matinee there will be a
short commentary including excerpts from "Just Dust" and a
time for children's involvement, questions and answers.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. performances are $6 for
adults and $4 for students and seniors. Tickets for the
Saturday matinee are $3. Children 12 years and under attend
free at all performances. The Knickerbocker Theatre is
located at 86 E. 8th St., and tickets will be available at
the door.

Additional information may be obtained by calling
(616) 395-4950.