New York dance luminaries take the stage

West Michigan audiences have to travel no farther than Allendale, Mich., this fall to see some of the best dancers from New York City and Broadway as Grand Valley State University's Department of Music presents 'Dance Stars of the New Millennium II' on Saturday, October 25.

'Dance Stars' brings together renowned dancers including Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner from American Ballet Theatre, William Ward from the New York City Opera Ballet, and Amanda Edge, soloist with the New York City Ballet. Soloists also include GVSU dance faculty member Lisa Catrett-Belrose, principal dancer of the Peter Sparling Dance Company. Returning to the dance gala is Ramon Flowers, lead dancer in Broadway's 'The Lion King.'

'This is an opportunity for West Michigan to come to Grand Valley and see the best in dance that New York has to offer,' said Jefferson Baum, GVSU dance director.

The program also features Grand Valley's own student Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Baum.

The collection of dances presents a wide array of styles from classical to modern to jazz, and features dances ranging from 'Swan Lake' to 'Moulin Rouge' to George Balanchine's 'Stars and Stripes.' Baum noted that Grand Valley is one of only a handful of universities nationwide to obtain permission from the Balanchine Trust to stage the ballet master's work.

Due to the popularity of last year's sold-out show, two performances will be presented this year. Performances are at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on October 25 in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20. To purchase, call TicketsPLUS at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737.