The Hope College dance affiliate StrikeTime Dance Theatre will present a live dance event for children, “Moving Art,” on Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland.
The public is invited. Admission is free and no tickets are required.
All of the works on the program, “Moving Art,” have been inspired by visual artists, including M.C. Escher, Pablo Picasso, Rene Magritte and Joan Miro. Nicole Flinn, artistic director, and Maribeth VanHecke, assistant director, worked collaboratively with choreographers, students and visual arts teachers to develop a performance that shares the connections between dance and visual art.
The program will include “Mathematical Tapestry,” sharing the design, optical illusions, and symmetrical play of M.C. Escher. Choreography of two Hope alumni, VanHecke ’16 and Molly Vass ’13 shares Pablo Picasso’s “Old Guitarist” and “Three Musicians.” Work of a guest choreographer, Richard Rivera, provides a journey through Rene Magritte’s use of surrealism. “The Magic Side of Things” is linked to a special outreach effort between StrikeTime Dance and a group of junior dancers from the community. This piece shaped and designed by Flinn and VanHecke will bring to life the art work of Joan Miro and share his creative process through movement.
The students are exploring their own creativity and artistic process inspired by these artists in several art classes. This learning experience will be brought to life through a collaboration with StrikeTime Dance Theatre. All Zeeland Public School third-grade students will be attending a live performance at the Knickerbocker in conjunction with learning about the artists in school. Student artwork will be on display in the theater during performances.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St., between College and Columbia avenues.