A variety of works will be featured in Dance 33, Hope College's annual major dance concert, which will run Thursday-Saturday, March 8-10, at 8 p.m. in the DeWitt Center main theatre.
A variety of works will be featured in Dance 33, Hope College's annual major dance concert, which will run Thursday-Saturday, March 8-10, at 8 p.m. in the DeWitt Center main theatre.
The program will present works created by Hope's dance faculty as well as guest faculty/choreographers Jon Lehrer and Dorrell Martin.
A total of 72 students auditioned for the concert, with only 49 being cast in the show. The dancers include 13 seniors.
Choreographer Linda Graham's bright and upbeat jazz piece "Snow Dogs" explores the potential of humans taking on characteristics of dogs. "In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog," Graham said. The musical selections include George Clinton as well as excerpts from other pieces.
"Vocatio," choreographed by Rosanne Barton-DeVries, rhythmically explores the discernment of call and a sense of becoming amidst the "white noise" of the world. This contemporary tap choreography highlights the intricate footwork and musical expressiveness of rhythm tap. In the tradition of the masters, four soloists work their taps as instruments "voicing" their particular response to the challenge and adventure of living.
Steven Iannacone will be presenting an original work, "The 'Carmina Burana' Project: Phase II." The piece continues a project that first appeared at last year's Dance 32. The presentation will be seen in four sections with four soloists.
This year Amanda Smith-Heynen and Ray Tadio are presenting a piece together, "Les Soeurs a la Grande Soiree." The project is loosely based on the story of Cinderella and takes a refreshing look at the two sisters and their character, minus the caricatures as which they are normally portrayed. With the absence of Cinderella, the two are shown as human, kind, playful and beautiful.
Guest choreographer Jon Lehrer has set an original piece, "The Way Within." The work is based on the Buddhist fundamental idea that to find peace and Nirvana requires looking inside oneself; that the way within is the path to enlightenment. The piece is loosely based on Herman-Hesse's novel "Siddhartha," the theme of which is the search for truth.
Dorrell Martin's work, "That Strange Coconut Groove," lightheartedly explores human communication and relationships. The piece is done in four sections which include music from Delight and Dean Martin. The first three sections take place on a red carpet and explore body language, gestures and limited movements. The fourth section is more about exploring space and shedding skin.
Tickets for Dance 33 are available at the ticket office in the front lobby of the DeVos Fieldhouse, and cost $7 for regular admission and $5 for senior citizens, students, and members of the Hope College faculty and staff. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at (616) 395-7890. On performance nights the theatre lobby ticket office in the DeWitt Center will be open shortly before the curtain rises.
The DeVos Fieldhouse is located facing Fairbanks Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets. The DeWitt Center is located at 141 E. 12th St. on the corner of Columbia Avenue.