Young men and women in tights may be the mainstay of classical dance concerts, yet there are more than a few surprises in store during the Grand Valley State University Spring Dance Concert performances Friday April 22, at 8 p.m. and Saturday April 23 at 2 and 8 p.m. Please note there will be no Sunday performance.
"We have put together a very eclectic program this year with six pieces ranging from classical to jazz," said Jefferson Baum, associate professor and director of Grand Valley's Dance program. "Our enrollment has increased considerably since last year, making it possible for the first time to include the large dance ensemble required in our opening piece, Act II of Swan Lake."
In fact, the number of dancers in the dance ensemble has increased from 19 last year to 32 this year, while the number of students choosing to major or minor in Dance has doubled, and the number of dual-enrolled high school students has tripled.
Live music is another feature in this year's Dance Concert program. The principal timpanist of the Grand Rapids Symphony since 1982, David Gross, is head of the percussion program at Grand Valley. He'll perform on stage in the second piece, the world premiere of Into the Precipice, as both a percussionist and dancer.
During an early rehearsal Gross commented that he'd never done anything like this before. He meant the dancing portion, but even performing music on a stage surrounded by dancers is a new experience.
"While I was practicing my music at home," said Gross, "I asked my wife to keep moving around the room so I'd get used to playing with constant motion around me."
Another world premiere is Tango Ballet, choreographed by visiting professor/ballet master Calin Radulescu, who was formerly with Grand Rapids Ballet. It includes upbeat music by the Argentinean tango master, Astor Piazzolla. This is also Calin's first ballet for the Grand Valley dance ensemble.
Fiesta, won Janet Clayton-Reid first place in the Michigan Dance Council's Choreographer's Competition last fall. Baum, a judge at the event, was very impressed with the piece and invited her to come and stage it with Grand Valley's dance ensemble. Baum and Clayton-Reid have known each other for about 25 years, having first met as students at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Clayton-Reid has taught at Blue Lake during the past eight years.
A very modern piece, In the name of*, choreographed by visiting professor Sherrie Barr, will be performed barefoot. This is professor Barr's first choreographed piece at Grand Valley.
The finale Car Wash is a surprising combination of tap and jazz with some dancers donning roller skates. Choreographer Lisa Catrett-Belrose uses the Shark Tale mix of this popular 70s music.
All performances are in the Louis Armstrong Theatre on Grand Valley's Allendale Campus. Tickets from $5 for children to $10 for adults may be purchased by calling Star Tickets PLUS at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737 or online at www.starticketsplus.com. Tickets can also be purchased on campus at the Louis Armstrong Theatre Box Office from Noon to 5 p.m. weekdays. For more information call the Grand Valley Dance Department at (616) 331-3484.
