The Hope College Great Performance Series opens its 2001-02 season on Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 18-20, with Grosso Modo, an acclaimed contemporary dance group from Holland's sister city of Queretaro, Mexico.

The Hope College Great Performance Series opens its 2001-02 season on Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 18-20, with Grosso Modo, an acclaimed contemporary dance group from Holland's sister city of Queretaro, Mexico.

The troupe will perform two-full length shows on Thursday-Friday, Oct. 18-19, at 8 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theatre. On Saturday, Oct. 20, the company will perform a 50-minute children's show at 2 p.m. at the same location.

Just three years old, the dance company has already performed independent recitals and at dance festivals throughout Mexico. Growing from the Contemporary Dance workshop at the Autonomous University of Queretaro, the company's members interact with creators of other artistic areas, including musicians, painters, actors and composers, as they create and perform their dances.

The company is under the direction of dancer/choreographer Ana Cristina Medellin, who is a member of the faculty in Queretaro as well.

The performances on Thursday-Friday, Oct. 18-19, are full dance performances, with a reception following the Friday, Oct. 19, performance. Hope College and city officials will give a special introduction for the group on Friday, Oct. 19.

The Saturday, Oct. 20, performance is a 50-minute performance aimed at families, and especially young children. Titled "...Rag Feet," the dance-theatre tale aims to introduce children to the joys of dance. The story emphasizes solidarity, tolerance and unconditional friendship.

Holland and Hope College's friendship with Querteraro is well established, and Grosso Modo's visit is part of the first performing arts cultural exchange between the two cities. Aerial Dance Theatre, a professional dance affiliate of the Hope College, visited Querteraro in May of this year.

The exchange is already bearing fruit as Grosso Modo comes to Holland with one piece that includes choreography given to the group by Aerial Dance during its visit. "Tras la existencia (Chasing Existence)" was created by Jodi Kurtze, and will be performed by Grosso Modo member Eva Pardave.

The main concerts will also feature six other works, with choreography by five different creators, set to music ranging from Handel to Miguel Munoz.

Tickets for the Thursday-Friday, Oct. 18-19, performances are $14 for regular adult admission, $12 for senior citizens, and $5 for Hope College students and children under 18. Great Performance Series subscribers may reserve their seats on Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 10-11. Tickets for the general public will be on sale on Friday- Saturday, Oct. 12-13, and Monday-Saturday, Oct. 15-20, at the theatre lobby ticket office in the DeWitt Center. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door. Seating is reserved.

Tickets for the Saturday, Oct. 20, children's show are free, but those planning to attend are encouraged to pick up tickets in advance on the previously named box office dates.

The ticket office is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., and may be called at (616) 395-7890 for reservations. The DeWitt Center is located on Columbia Avenue at 12th Street.

The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 East 8th Street.