Dance concert to stretch expectations

Grand Valley State University's Spring Dance Concert promises to push the boundaries of what audiences have come to expect. Three performances by the university's Dance Ensemble are planned on April 3 and 4, at 8 p.m., and April 5 at 2 p.m. in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, on the Allendale Campus.

“Any movement can be dance,” said Shawn T Bible, assistant professor of dance and an artist-faculty at Grand Valley. “We plan to cross the divide between the known and unknown with every piece providing an emotional and physical impact.” The concert includes seven pieces choreographed by Lisa Catrett-Belrose, Mary Lohman, Calin Radulescu and Bible, who joined the dance faculty last fall.

Bible prefers not to give away too many details prior to the performances but, he does share that two of the pieces will be danced to live music and three pieces are making their premiere at these concerts. A lively ballet with a French flair and fun mood begins the program. It is followed by the premiere of a wild and playful duet performed to music by Dan Becker, which has a very electronic sound.

The tempo and mood will take a turn midway through the program with a moving and thought-provoking performance with Olivier Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time,” performed live by cellist Pablo Mahave-Veglia and pianist Denise Berczynski.  Following a ballet duet to Mahler’s “Mein Himmel,” the concert concludes with all 25 members of the dance ensemble on stage for a very contemporary performance that uses every inch of the stage, and live saxophone music by Japanese composers, to explore patterns of movement in crowds of people.

The 60-minute performance will run without intermission. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for seniors, students and children 12 years and under. Tickets may be purchased with a service fee through Star Tickets Plus at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737, online at www.starticketsplus.com or any Star Tickets Plus outlet. Tickets are also available weekdays from 12-5 p.m. at the Louis Armstrong Theatre Box Office (in-person sales only/no phone orders). For more information call (616) 331-3484 or visit www.gvsu.edu/music.