February 23, 2006

Danceworks begins Feb. 24

“Danceworks 2006,” an annual showcase of the finest choreography of Northwestern’s Dance Program faculty, will feature eight performances in a diverse program of new dances by six faculty choreographers and a reconstructed work from the internationally-renowned MOMIX dance company.

“Danceworks 2006” performances will be held at either 8 p.m. Feb. 24-25, 2 p.m. Feb. 26, 8 p.m. March 1-4 and 2 p.m. March 5 at the Josephine Louis Theatre.

In conjunction with “Danceworks 2006,” youngsters aged 4 and older and their families are invited to a special 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 “Children’s Introduction to the Dance” program that also will be held at the Louis Theatre.

Dance Program Director Joseph Mills will direct this year’s program.

Images of mermaid lore predominate in Mills’ new work “Sweetly the Waves Call: Urging, Insisting.” Its six dancers explore a fluid sensuality in their movement that later transforms into more intensely physical movement with tumbling, spinning and leaping. It is choreographed to traditional Scottish and Irish tunes performed by cellist Barry Phillips.

Molly Shanahan’s ensemble piece, “The New Hungry,” investigates movement. It explores the body in alternating states of restriction or pent up energy, juxtaposing confrontation and tenderness, to convey feminine strength and anger.

Laura Wade’s contemporary ballet “Encuentros” will be performed to Bolivian folk music.

Jeff Hancock’s character-driven dance, “Ain’t Necessarily So,” takes a wacky look at relationships in an urban environment.

Alexis Leonard’s work, “As it Was,” will be danced to music by the Goth-inspired Arkansas rock band Evanescence and vocalist and alumna Rachael Yamagata.

Glenn Leslie’s classic tap dance, “Out of a Rut and Into a Groove,” will be executed in the relaxed Jump Rhythm Jazz style that features complex polyrhythmic movements and a blend of rhythm tap and show styles.

Mills has reconstructed a piece by MOMIX, an internationally known company of dance illusionists, titled “Spawning.” Moses Pendleton, Cynthia Quinn, Lisa Giobbi and Diane Howarth originally choreographed the piece in 1986.

The Feb. 25 “Children’s Introduction to the Dance” program will feature excerpts from most of the dances in this year’s program.

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Tickets are $20 for the general public; $18 for senior citizens and faculty and staff; and $10 for students. All tickets for “Children’s Introduction to the Dance” are $5.

Order tickets at (847) 491-7282 or go to www.tic.northwestern.edu/tickets.html for more information.