Dance NOW new year, new elements
The dance and choreography department’s Dance NOW concert will feature performances choreographed by faculty and guest artists this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dance NOW is aimed at spotlighting the faculty’s choreographing skills.
Of the five performances put on by the dance and choreography department annually, Dance NOW is the only one to feature faculty-choreographed work.
The dance and choreography department’s Dance NOW concert will feature performances choreographed by faculty and guest artists this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dance NOW is aimed at spotlighting the faculty’s choreographing skills.
Of the five performances put on by the dance and choreography department annually, Dance NOW is the only one to feature faculty-choreographed work. There are also two senior projects each year, featuring work choreographed by senior dance and choreography majors. In addition to Dance NOW and the senior projects, there is a student-choreographed performance and an event titled, The Salon, an informal showing.
“The majority of our shows are choreographed by students, but this one is for faculty,” said junior dance and choreography major Corrine Bates.
“We have a season program. It’s always part of that,” said junior dance and choreography major Melodie Fais.
Dance NOW encompasses eight pieces, with a larger-than-normal inclusion of male performers than previous dance concerts.
“My piece . has four guys dancing in it,” said sophomore dance and choreography major Beau Dobson.
Dobson will be performing in faculty member Robbie Kinter’s piece. Fais described Kinter’s performance as “not a traditional dance piece.”
Bates said this year’s typically lady-laden event comprises a larger-than-normal male presence.
“It’s a male-dominating show,” Bates said.
Faculty member Christian Von Howard’s piece will be “upbeat, fun and colorful” with a soundtrack featuring Aretha Franklin. The dancers will wear non-traditional dance outfits.
“I think anyone who comes to see it and hasn’t been exposed to dance will like Christian’s piece,” Bates said.
All of the proceeds of the event go to pay for the dance and choreography department’s musical accompaniment. The department features live musicians, including Kinter, in both their modern and ballet classes.
The show’s featured guest artist is Gerri Houlihan. The event runs Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. It will be held at the Grace Street Theatre, 934 W. Grace St. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $5 for students with a valid VCU I.D. Tickets may be reserved beginning Feb. 16 by calling the Grace Street Theatre Box Office at 828-2020.
