Reunited and it feels so good: 'U' alumni dance back to A2

The Dance School alumni are coming to town and they're bringing dance numbers with them that were created in different parts of the country.

From New York's Artichoke Dance Company's "Full Speed Ahead," an exploration of speed and momentum involving video projection to "Beggar," a frustrated and angry rampage danced by Marsha Pabalis, a world performer who has performed in Hong Kong and the Far East, this concert will be as diversified as all of its participants and their influencing environments.

They share, however, the common threads of a parallel University of Michigan training and will reunite to celebrate talent, dance and friendship for two 8 p.m. concerts Oct. 3rd and 4th at the Betty Pease Studio Theater, located inside the CCRB.

Maureen Janson strikes a unique pose.

The University of Michigan Guest Artist Series, directed by Jessica Fogel, usually brings in modern dance free-lance artists and smaller scale companies. This year features the Alumni Dance Concert, including 16 alumni, most of which she has worked with, and she put it, "it's great to see them come back." Five years ago a concert like this one was given and it yielded great satisfaction to both performers and viewers so the goal is to repeat such success.

Many of the alumni have worked with leading modern dance companies such as the Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Dance Company, the Bella Lewitsky Dance Company and some other West coast companies. Many are free-lance dancers and choreographers and yet others work as faculty members at distinguished colleges and universities.

The program includes solos, duets, trios and a quintet, some funny and some serious and intense. Many pieces include interesting effects such as the incorporation of video and slide projections and live acoustic music. Whitley Setrakian wrote the text and plays the guitar for his number, as well as doing the choreography. Stephanie Kosarin also composed the music for her humorous and cabaretesque dance duet with Jodie Colone.

PREVIEW
	Alumni Dance Concert Tonight and Saturday Betty Pease Dance Studio Tickets $8, $5 for students

"Silenzio" is a male duet by another Ann Arbor-based artist, William Crowley. It is heavy and introspective, but without music. The interactive high-tech duet by Patricia Plasko involves people manipulating props and sounds on stage to create interesting soundwork and effects.

There are 17 numbers with the programs from the two shows combined, each day offering new things to see. The music is very varied and presents songs from Depeche Mode, Mendelssohn, Bach and much more.

Most dances have specific and involved themes (as involved as can be for a 5-10 min average length of the dances) such as Barbara Boothe's trio danced by University of Michigan dance majors Missy Bischoff, Felesha Simpson and Erika Atwood. "Many Voices, Many Rooms" is about stark loneliness. Even more dramatic may be Nancy Lanier and Henry Van Kuiken's "The Beloved," which is a drama-packed, ominous piece about a man who bludgeoned his wife because he suspected her of being unfaithful.

Anything can happen with such great room for creative freedom as is present in such a concert and such great amounts of skill that the performers have to work with. Especially with such a welcoming and intimate atmosphere as is sure to be present at this event, one can not imagine leaving it without having been heavily entertained and enlightened.

The program begins Thursday evening with practice, followed by master classes with alumni during the day on Friday, a reception following the Saturday night show as well as a brunch on Sunday.

The shows will be rather intimate because the performance hall holds only about 100 people. Tickets may be purchased early at the Michigan League Ticket Office (764-0450) or at the door after 7 p.m.. They are $8 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. For more information call (763-5461).

Anything can happen with such great room for creative freedom as is present in such a concert and such great amounts of skill that the performers have to work with. Especially with such a welcoming and intimate atmosphere as is sure to be present at this event, one can not imagine leaving it without having been heavily entertained and enlightened.

10-03-97