Artwork by Zeeland elementary students and an international collaboration including dancers from Haiti and area schools will be among the highlights of live dance events for children being presented by Hope College dance affiliate StrikeTime Dance Theatre on Friday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
All of the works on the program, “Dancing Through Pop Art,” have been inspired by pop art. Dances presented will include “POP! POW! What’s Your Story?” choreographed by director Nicki Flinn of the Hope dance faculty; “Groovin Daily,” choreographed by Flinn and 2018 Hope graduate Emma Fowler; and “Leave Your Footprint,” choreographed by Nicki Flinn.
“Groovin Daily” inspired by the work of artist, Keith Haring, is linked to a collaboration with children from the Holland/Zeeland community and a group of dancers, Our Generation, from Mole St. Nicolas, Haiti. Flinn and Fowler have created a piece a that provides an opportunity for intergenerational, cultural and global exchange. Between all three groups, 45 dancers will share dance through the use of live performance and technology.
“Leave Your Footprint” is linked to a special outreach effort between StrikeTime Dance and the Zeeland elementary art program, in which third graders learned about Andy Warhol through art experiences. Inspired by Warhol’s work, the students explored their own creativity through artistic processes. Their artwork will be displayed during the performances. The students will also attend a special matinee performance on Friday, Jan. 11. Support for the outreach experience was provided by the Hope College Patrons for the Arts and the Maxine DeBruyn Endowment.
The StrikeTime Dance Theatre’s work and mission will be featured in a morning seminar during the college’s Winter Happening on Saturday, Jan. 26, with the company also performing during the event’s luncheon. More information about Winter Happening is available online at hope.edu/winterhappening.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St.