Saturday, July 9, 6:30 p.m., Orcas Center
— from Susannah Weaver —
Once again the choreographers working with WWU’s Dance Theatre Ensemble have turned to diverse subjects for the dances they are performing at Orcas Center. Bring the whole family for an innovative night of dance on Center Stage Saturday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Choreography by WWU faculty, including Island Mythos an original dance made for Orcas Island, features selected dancers from the WWU Dance Program. This year most of the works are narrative in nature and fall into the genre of Dance Theater. The story lines are clear. The characters are archetypes and those looking for a story in movement will be well satisfied.
Nolan Dennett, Movement Graffiti Artistic Director, uses “island” as a metaphor for family by re-staging a work created in 1989 entitled The Kitchen Table. It is a portrait of a family in a moment of crisis and their struggle to forgive and continue to love one another—it is powerful, emotionally riveting—ultimately hopeful. Isabella Matossi has created a delightful homage to Disney’s Fantasia entiled, Fantasia Remix. It will be lots of fun for families with kids. Juan Carlos Claudio, visiting artist for the summer, is creating a new work, the one abstract work in the concert. Tara Rieter has created a charming work called Laughing Solo. The title says it all. Nolan Dennett has made a special dance inspired by ideas from Orcas Center audience members called Island Mythos. You won’t want to miss this original contemporary dance made for Orcas Island.
Tickets for WWU Dance are $17 for adults, $13 for students, $2 off for Orcas Center members.
$5 subsidized tickets available at the Box Office. Tickets may only be purchased on the Orcas Center website or by calling 376-2281 ext 1 or visiting the Orcas Center box office during box office hours which are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12-2 pm. For more information about Orcas Center 2016 season events, please visit www.orcascenter.org.
If you have yet not seen this company, you are in for a most enjoyable dance treat for children and adults that is not to be missed. If you have seen them, you know why Orcas Center is bringing them back for a third time, and now with new works for us. Note that the concert starts at the family-friendly time of 6:30.
In addition, there will be a community reception after the show to meet the company and share goodies.