HPER celebrates 60 years of growth, movement, change

You won't find any tutus or pointe shoes at the IU Contemporary Dance Program's fall concert "Grow/Move/Change," which will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. \nDancers who wear wireless lights on their bodies will dance to a piece that "examines issues of self-identity and truth revealed by light," according to a press release from the IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The piece was choreographed by IU theater and drama professor George Pinney. \nOne piece, choreographed by IU Contemporary Dance faculty member Gwen Hamm, uses live music to focus on revolutionary leaders and their impact on society, according to the press release for the event.\nFor the dancers and faculty involved, this concert isn't just a chance to showcase the work that began in late August, when the dancers auditioned for each of the pieces. It's an opportunity to celebrate the return of the dance major, which hasn't been offered to students interested in modern dance since the early 1990s.\n It's also an opportunity to honor the 60th anniversary of the HPER, which houses the contemporary dance program within the Department of Kinesiology.\nTo do that, the dance department decided to present a program that focuses on the HPER's goals of bringing growth, movement and change to the arts.\nTo open the show, guest artist Bill Evans will present a piece titled "Rite of Summer." Evans once served as chair of the IU Contemporary Dance Program and is an internationally renowned dancer and choreographer. The next dance will be "Muse of Fire," choreographed by guest artist Ben Munisteri, a New York-based choreographer who completed a three-week residency at IU. Closing the first half will be Pinney's piece. \nThe second half of the show will be dedicated to the anniversary of the HPER and will feature works that "demonstrate a commitment to the diversity and expression that the school stands for," said Liz Shea, the coordinator for the IU Contemporary Dance Program.\nShe said all the full-time dance faculty members collaborated to produce individual pieces that express what diversity and artistic expression means to them. \n"Because all of the dances within the concert are eclectic and not even remotely like the other pieces," Shea said, "it really will be a stimulating night of dance."\nTickets are $16 for adults and $13 for students. Rush tickets will be available 30 minutes before the show to students with valid University IDs. Tickets can be purchased at the IU Auditorium box office or online at www.ticketmaster.com.