University Dancers to Perform Spring Concert Feb. 26-29 at University of Richmond
January 28, 2004
The University of Richmond's University Dancers will present their annual spring concert, "Dance in the Moment," Feb. 26-29 in the Alice Jepson Theatre of the Modlin Center for the Arts.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 and 28 and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 29. Reservations for all performances are recommended and can be made by calling the Modlin Center Box Office at (804) 289-8980.
Dancers will explore universal themes united by the common idea that "dance is in the moment and for the moment" and that dance is "a timeless art form with emotional expression that spans the ages," said Myra Steinberg Daleng, director of dance.
The company will perform a repertoire that blends ballet, jazz, tap, hip/hop and modern.
Daleng and Anne Norman Van Gelder, assistant director of dance, co-choreographed "Spectral Serenade," a new work to the music of Dvorak. Daleng also choreographed "Harlem Nocturne," a jazz piece for three senior dancers.
Daleng and Tracy Crouch, artistic director of Regency Dance Academy, will perform a classic soft-shoe routine, originally performed by the duo Honi Coles and Cholly Atkins, to the standard, "Taking a Chance on Love." The music will be performed live by a jazz trio made up of Laura Candler White on piano, Kelli Strawbridge on drums and Ryan Hughitt on upright bass.
Cynthia Reynolds, former performer with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, hasrestaged one of Hawkins' most famous pieces, "Classic Kite Tails," which will be performed by five University Dancers and guest performers Todd Rosenlieb and Rod Ruffo. They will be accompanied by an intercollegiate string orchestra composed of University of Richmond and VCU students and directed by James Wilson, an original member of the Shanghai Quartet.
Rosenlieb, also a former member of the Hawkins Company, has created a modern work, "One Line, Two Sides," for eight dancers to the music of Debussy with White at the piano. Nancy Allen, director of costume at the university, has created Rosenlieb's costume.
Kaye Weinstein Gary of KDance and adjunct faculty member at the university, has restaged "Liquid Sky" to music by Eurobass Express. Ben Wolf, a sophomore dance major from Ohio State University, has created a hip/hop modern piece for the concert.
Student works include a tap quartet, a modern piece to the music of Sting and a contemporary jazz trio. Members of University Dancers collaborated on choreography for "Passages," the closing piece for all 19 dancers to Aerosmith music.
Lighting and special effects will be by Reed West, associate professor of theatre and technical director. Student Julie Dauber will stage-manage.
For more information on the concert, contact Daleng at (804) 289-8314 or mdaleng@richmond.edu.