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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2004)
BRAVO! EW'S GUIDE TO THE WINTER/SPRING 2004 PERFORMING ARTS SEASON EBC presents Cinderella Feb. 28-29. Kickin’ It DANCE WILL NOT DISAPPOINT THIS WINTER AND SPRING. BY JACQUELYN LEWIS Eugene is always an excellent place to find exciting dance performances, from local favorites to exotic imports. It is doubtful that many people following the city’s performing arts scene in the past few years have been disappointed. Each season has had its own flavor, and the coming months should prove to be no exception. We will see several big-name produc- tions pass through, sprinkled with an equally appealing smattering of smaller scale shows — all sure to get our hearts pounding and our blood pumping. Let’s take a look at what’s in store. T he Hult Center, always one of Eugene’s best places to see dance, will kick off 2004 when it hosts the musical Fame on Jan.16 and Jan. 17. The production tells the story of young hopefuls at New York’s famous High School for the Performing Arts. Though the musical is not strictly a dance performance, Fame is a must- see for dancers, aspiring dancers and dance fans. The show boasts stellar dancers, awe- inspiring moves and an inspirational story. February will usher in this season’s most exciting dance highlight when the worldly, immensely talented Dance Theatre of Harlem visits Eugene. The company, founded in 1969 and predicted by The New York Times to be “one of ballet’s most excit- ing undertakings,” has grown into an inter- nationally acclaimed cultural institution and powerhouse neoclassical ballet compa- ny, deriving its works from Balanchine to the African Diaspora. The company has appeared all over the world and set box office records everywhere. Mark your cal- endars, because Feb. 4 will be Eugene’s only chance to see these bold, decadent dancers, and it’s an event not to be missed! Also on the Hult Center’s February agenda, local youth performance group The Edge will celebrate its 10th anniver- sary with a high-energy performance encompassing a wide variety of dance styles, including tumbling and break danc- ing. Catch this show Feb. 20. Next, Eugene Ballet Company will add the perfect finishing touch to an already dance-packed month with its staging of Cinderella on Feb. 28-29. Artistic Director Toni Pimble and company are adept at con- cocting the perfect mixture of modern and classic, and Cinderella will include Pimble’s original signature choreography paired with the timeless Prokoviev score. In addition, the company will treat us to its lively Jitterbug, Jive & Jazz — a break from classical ballet, focusing instead on swing dance, with music from OFAM’s Emerald City Jazz Kings. Lindy Hop to the Hult Center April 17-18 to see and hear this lively show. For tickets and information on these events, call the Hult Center Box Office at 685-5000. The UO and LCC dance departments will also offer up a satisfying smattering of dance opportunities in the next few months. The UO dance department’s all-student produced Winter Student Dance Concert is scheduled for Feb. 12 through Feb. 14. Year after year, this proves to be an innovative evening, filled with fresh works by students, featuring their fellow students. On March 6, Dance Africa will present its African Community Night in the Dougherty Dance Theatre. Student dancers from the compa- ny will perform, along with Zimbabwean guest artist Lucky Moyo, brought to the UO with the help of the Kutsinhira Cultural Arts Center. This per- formance will be a definite stand-out for the season, provid- ing a night of both entertainment and education. Paul Taylor 2 , an offshoot of the renowned Paul Taylor modern dance group, will visit the UO April 26 and April 27, providing Eugene audiences with yet another opportunity to see world-class talent without leaving home. The UO dance department also has its annual Faculty Dance Concert , the MFA Project Concert , Dance Quarterly , Loft Series and Open Showing planned for later. Contact the department at 346-5678 for ticket information and a full schedule. LCC also offers its own student dance concert, “The Works,” April 22 to April 24. The dance department will celebrate National Dance Week May 20-May 22 with a cornucopia of events, including work- shops, demonstrations and performance. For more information on LCC dance hap- penings, call 463-5202. Lastly, dance students from various stu- dios will also perform around Eugene this season. One stand-out show will be Musical Feet’s 26th Annual student con- cert, “Hats Off: A Tribute to Gregory Hines.” The tap dancers will appear at the Hult Center in June. The date for this per- formance hasn’t been set, so call 485-2938 for details. The space here is too small to detail or even mention every notable upcoming dance event, so check EW each week for additional coverage. I’ll do my best to keep you updated on what’s shaping up to be a great season. ew EBC & OFAM present Jitterbug, Jive & Jazz April 17-18. JANUARY 8, 2004 23
