Evanston Dance Ensemble Presents: "The Music Moves" A Collaboration of Live Music & Dance

For the first time in its 18-year history, the Evanston Dance Ensemble (EDE) - in collaboration with The Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago, The Evanston Township High School Bazao A Cappella Choral Ensemble, and the Steve Rashid Quintet - will present a full evening of dance paired with live music performances.   Opening Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m., “The Music Moves” includes six pieces from five professional choreographers set to live jazz, classical and rhythmic body percussion.  “The Music Moves” continues through the weekend on Saturday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m., and on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Northwestern University’s Josephine Louis Theatre (20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston).  Tickets are priced at $16.00 for children under 18, students and seniors, and $24.00 for adults.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Northwestern Box Office at 847.491.7282 or by going online at www.tic.northwestern.edu starting January 24.

Under the co-artistic direction of EDE founder Bea Rashid and choreographer Christina Ernst, the Evanston Dance Ensemble continues to present innovative, exciting productions for audiences of all ages, and “The Music Moves” continues that tradition.  The artistic directors consistently strive to expose their company members to the professional world of dance through the choreographers, set and lighting designers, and professional guest dancers with whom EDE has collaborated.  For the first time, however, the dancers will share the stage throughout the production with musicians.

“The idea of collaboration between artists of different disciplines has captivated me,” explains Ernst.  “In bringing these artistic communities together, our dancers are seeing the achievement level of another performing artist who has committed years to training on an instrument or training their voices versus the training of their bodies.”

“The Music Moves” opens with Bea Rashid’s “Piano Suites” set to award-winning composer Steve Rashid’s “song of Songs” and featuring guest dancers Megan Walsh and Joseph Caruana of Elements Contemporary Ballet.  Next on the program, Stephanie Paul, co-founder and artistic director of Be the Groove, has choreographed a piece set to rhythmic body percussion.  Award-winning choreographer and co-artistic director of LEVELdance, Eddy Ocampo closes the first act with contemporary choreography set to jazz music from the Steve Rashid Quintet, with singer Typhanie Monique.

For the second act, “The Music Moves” takes the audience into the classical realm of music and movement.  Mike Gosney, founder and artistic director of Elements Contemporary Ballet, pairs his dancers with musicians from The Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago performing Brahms Piano Trio.  The ETHS Bazao A Cappella Choral Ensemble, under the direction of Mary Theresa Reed, will sing to choreography from Monique Haley, a freelance choreographer/performer and teacher.  The production concludes with Ravel’s String Quartet performed by The Music Institute of Chicago String Quartet paired with choreography by EDE’s Christina Ernst.

The Evanston Dance Ensemble is in residence at Dance Center Evanston and performs several productions each year.  For more information on EDE, go to the company’s website at www.evanstondanceensemble.org or call 847.328.6683.

EDE PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Glavin