IU faculty presents dance show

Six IU faculty members will present "An Evening of Contemporary Dance" at 8 p.m. Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.\nThe show will feature a diverse range of dances choreographed by IU faculty and performed by IU students.\nFaculty choreographers include Liz Shea, Laura Poole and Gwen Hamm, from the kinesiology department, George Pinney, from the department of theater and drama, and Iris Rosa, of African-American and African Diaspora studies. Diane Buzzell, artistic director of the Indiana Dance Theater also choreographed a piece.\nAll dances are performed by a group of 25 to 30 student dancers that auditioned in the fall. \nThe evening will feature a wide range of dance styles. \n"The show is very diverse and eclectic," Shea said. "There are different kinds of things."\nThe music for the dances is a mix of commissioned and existing pieces, and the show will feature both live and pre-recorded music.\nPoole's piece, which is based on a painting by IU professor Bill Itter, features a modern dance interpretation of "Fugue in Red and Grey." IU composer Jim Holt provided the music.\n"The painting had a terrific sense of space," Poole explained, "And the colors are riveting. There are points of yellow light (in the painting) that suggest free space behind it."\nThe painting will also provide the backdrop for the "Fugue" segment of the show. Scenic artist Mark Smith designed the backdrop.\nGwen Hamm will present a dance to "Invention," a new-age jazz composition by Flim and the BB's. \n"The song really utilizes rhythmic structure," Hamm said. "There is a melody that plays throughout but by different instruments."\nTwo pieces choreographed by Shea are also on the program. One, entitled "These Hands," is a solo piece inspired by the work women do. Caitlin Burke, a graduate student in the music school, will provide a cappella vocalization.\n"(The dance) is one woman's story of the various difficulties in the travels of life," Burke said. "But it ends triumphantly."\nShea's other piece is called "Passing Through," and will feature the music of Edgar Meyer and Mark O'Conner. \n"It's the exploration of (how) as we go through life, we're touched by many people," Shea explained. "It's a celebration."\nFaculty members are excited about presenting the show.\n"It's very exciting for me," Hamm said. "We used to do stuff like this when there was a dance major … now we're going back to that."\nThere is something for everyone at "An Evening of Contemporary Dance," according to the choreographers. \n"There's a variety of styles. Some pieces are just movement for the joy of movement," Poole said. "Others have more serious themes." \nTickets are $12 for adults and $7 for students, senior citizens, and children 12 and under. Students will be able to obtain $5 tickets with an student ID Thursday. For box office information, visit the Sunrise Box Office at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 114 E. Kirkwood, or call (812) 339-6741.\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.