DanceAbility brings eclectic dance to Florence
“Don’t Leave Me” is an enthralling modern dance
performance that celebrates creativity and the potential that
is only possible when people with and without disabilities
work together as equals. This is the fi rst professional
mixed-abilities performance to ever be shown in Florence.
It is also the fi rst time that DanceAbility International will
perform in Florence.
“Don’t Leave Me” is being presented by
the DanceAbility international dance company,
in collaboration with the University of Oregon
School of Architecture, which designed the
set structures. The show explores how we are
all dependent on each other and how space
determines action and vice versa. The dancers
use the ever-changing set design as apparel,
as furniture and as architecture. The human
and architectural bodies act as a symbiotic
community.
This cross-discipline collaboration of dance
and architecture takes risks with frames and
bodies. During a rehearsal, one of the dancers
was high up on the designed structure and felt it
start to shake. She immediately called out to the
dancers below her “don’t leave me!”
This became the title of the piece.
It speaks to our interdependence and also the
DanceAbility method belief that nobody should be left out
or left behind.
This performance will open audience’s hearts and
minds. It shows the unlimited potential of people when
disabilities are not viewed as something inferior. The
dancers with and without disabilities create and express
together as equals.
DanceAbility International performances surprise and
delight, as they dissolve labels and barriers.
This project is made possible in part by Western Lane
Community Foundation, Plum Creek Foundation, and Lane
County Cultural Coalition, with operating support from
Lane Arts Council and Oregon Arts Commission.
“Don’t Leave Me” will be performed at the Florence
Events Center June 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22.
For tickets, visit www.eventcenter.org or call 541-997-
1994.
FEC offering artists many exhibit opportunities ahead
The Florence Events Center will have several opportunities for artists to display their
talents in galleries One and Five during the fall and winter of 2016, and continuing in 2017.
The FEC Gallery Committee, as part of Friends of the FEC, is giving artists advance notice
of upcoming exhibits, as well as offering new and creative challenges to artists.
The fi rst special exhibit will take place in October and November. This will be the
second annual Artistic Visions Award Show. Artists can display up to three pieces of artwork,
including 2-D, photography and 3-D.
Cash awards will be given to winners in each category, as well as honorable mention
ribbons. Qualifi ed jurors from outside the Florence area will judge this show.
In December 2016, the FEC will offer a new exhibit encouraging people to “Give Art this
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Christmas.” Artists will be asked to submit works that are $100 or less, and a fun reception
will be planned with live music, refreshments and photos with Santa.
January and February 2017 will be third annual “For the Love of Animals” exhibit,
with a reception held to benefi t the Florence Area Humane Society. Pet photos are always a
fun part of this event. March and April will be a patriotic themed exhibit, with a reception
benefi ting DAV and the Military Heritage Museum.
Florence and the surrounding regions have many talented artists who are encourage to
share their works at the FEC.
Publicity and details on each of the upcoming exhibits will be available the month prior,
and applications will also be available at that time at www.eventcenter.org.
The Florence Events Center website: www.eventcenter.org