Local audiences will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of dance styles in an evening of grace and beauty when the Fredonia Dance Ensemble presents its annual concert from Feb. 21 to 23 in Marvel Theatre.
Performances are planned for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Feb. 23.
This annual showcase directed by Helen Myers, director of dance at SUNY Fredonia, features pieces choreographed by faculty members and guest artists that span the realms of modern, classical, traditional and abstract dance. The Fredonia Dance Ensemble, comprised of 30 dancers from 10 different majors, is the top dance ensemble on campus.
The concert features the work of noted faculty and guest artist choreographers. The guest artists are Jon Lehrer, artistic director of LehrerDance of Buffalo; Kista Tucker, artistic director of Kista Tucker Insights of Washington, D.C.; and Cheryl Halliburton-Beatty, associate professor at Long Island University. In addition to Myers, faculty choreographers are Samantha Kenney, Paul Mockovak and Angelika Summerton.
Lehrer’s piece, “A Ritual Dynamic,” is described by Myers as “an action-packed athletic dance with jaw-dropping lifts” while Tucker’s work, “Genevieve of the Woods,” is an “emotionally charged work of dance-theatre” set to music by Angelo Badalamenti.
Halliburton-Beatty has created an Afro-modern piece influenced by the Treyvon Martin case titled, “Just Us.”
The Fredonia Dance Ensemble concert will again feature live music in Myers’ piece, “Cielo, Mar y Aire.” Pianist Paul Murphy will provide the accompaniment for this lyrical trio set to the music of the Catalan composer Frederico Mompou.
Summerton has created a hard-hitting tap piece entitled, “Injustice?” while Kenney continues to explore the work of composer Phillip Glass with, “Orion II & III.”
The Fredonia Dance Ensemble is part of the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Tickets are available through the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 and online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets. The event is part of the 2013-14 Lake Shore Savings Season at Rockefeller Arts Center.
