SSU Unveils Spring Dance Concert

Sonoma State University Dept. of Theatre & Dance event "Spring Dance Concert 2013." presented April 12 to April 20, 2013, is part of yearlong campus "Water Works" theme

SSU dance students experienced special programs for annual dance performance

Sonoma State University dance students were able to participate in rare and significant programs on campus including residencies with the prestigious Dance Exchange and Alvin Ailey American Legacy Residency.
 
The special programs were organized by Sonoma State University's Dance Program Director  Kristen Daley and Emeritus Professor of Dance, Nancy Lyons for the enrichment of dance students' development and creativity. 
 
"We had the world-renowned dance company, Dance Exchange work on a collaborative, ensemble based dance with twenty of our students which explored the shoreline as a place of memory and healing for our spring dance concert," said Kristen Daley, who also serves as Dept. Chair of the SSU Dept. of Theatre Arts & Dance.
 
SSU students dancers worked with Dance Exchange Artistic Director, Cassie Meador and Resident Artist, Matthew Cumbie on the new dance piece entitled "Where I Will Turn," which will be performed for the first time at the 2013 Spring Dance Concert.  
 
Liz Lerman (who founded Dance Exchange in 1976) also visited Sonoma State University for three days in February, teaching dancers and actors her method for providing positive and effective feedback to performing artists and sharing her tools for creative research to inspiring choreographers.
 
The Alvin Ailey Legacy Residency on campus included a series of dance classes open to students taught by Ana Marie Forsythe, former director of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program, and lectures given by Sylvia Waters, former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
 
The Spring Dance Concert, presented on the main stage at Evert B. Person Theater, will include dance pieces tapping into the SSU yearlong "Water Works" theme and will also feature new works from professional guest choreographers including San Francisco's Christine Cali and Scott Wells.

IF YOU GO:

"Spring Dance Concert 2013"
  
Always exhilarating, unexpected, professional and thoroughly entertaining - the annual Sonoma State University Spring Dance Concert features SSU dancers performing new, cutting edge dance works each with a different aesthetic sensibility.

The Spring Dance Concert 2013 taps into the SSU yearlong "Water Works" theme with new inspiration from the Dance Exchange, the renowned national dance company from Washington, D.C.  Dance Exchange's artistic director Cassie Meador and resident artist Matthew Cumbie came to the SSU campus during the 2013 spring semester to create work on the dances ("Where I will turn").

The concert program includes new original music; a collaborative dance piece choreographed by SSU students with Dance Exchange; and new works from professional guest choreographers including San Francisco's Christine Cali and Scott Wells, and SSU Professor Emeritus of Dance Nancy Lyons.
 
Directed by Kristen Daley
 
SSU Spring Dance Concert 2013 Program:
 
S.T.O.R.M.
Choreography by Christine Cali in collaboration with the dancers. Original Music by Matt Langlois AKA The Welcome Matt. "S.T.O.R.M." questions our inner nature and personal upheaval in relation to our outer nature and the devastating effects of climate change.
 
Where I will turn
Choreography by Cassie Meador and Matthew Cumbie in collaboration with the performers. Original Music by Jesse Olsen Bay. Using text, song, movement, and a few mason jars, “Where I will turn” explores the shoreline as a place of memory and healing in collaboration with Dance Exchange artists and sound designer Jesse Olsen Bay.
 
blue ice on the rocks
Choreography by Nancy Lyons in collaboration with the dancers. Original Music: Jesse Olsen Bay with "Allesandra: Brilla nell’alma," by Handel. The dance, "blue ice on the rocks," examines water through the metaphor and mirror of bottled water. 
 
The 65% Solution
Choreography by Scott Wells. This dance is an ode to the four elements earth (rock), water (effortlessness), air (levity) and fire (intense desire) which collectively express that the earth abides.
 
WHEN:     April 12 to April 20, 2013
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12; Saturday, April 13 (followed by post show discussion); Tuesday, April 16; Friday, April 19; and Saturday, April 20
2 p.m. Sunday, April 14
6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18 (Faculty/Staff Night)
 
LOCATION:  Evert B. Person Theatre
Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Evert B. Person Theatre is accessed through the main entrance to Sonoma State University. Tickets also sold at the door one hour prior to curtain.
 
PARKING: After entering the main entrance of Sonoma State University, turn right. Use Parking Lot E or Parking Lot F. Parking permits are required at all times. Permits may be purchased from the vending machines located at the entrance to parking lots. The fee is $5. Use ramp to the left of Parking Lot E to access the main entrance of Evert B. Person Theatre.
 
COST / TICKET PRICE: $10 to $17
Sonoma State University students admitted free. Tickets also sold at the door one hour prior to curtain. Pre-order or reserve tickets through the box office at 707-664-2353 or online at http://www.sonoma.edu/tix
 
ORDER TICKETS: Pre-order or reserve tickets through the box office at 707-664-2353 or online at http://www.sonoma.edu/tix
 
BOX OFFICE:  707-664-2353
School of Performing Arts Box Office. Hours: Monday thru Friday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ives Hall on SSU Campus.
 
WEB SITE:   http://www.sonoma.edu/waterworks
 
PROMO VIDEO: http://animoto.com/play/CfIExMOggTyRGiB7bPYQfg

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