This year’s concert is called “Between Floor and Flight,” and as usual, it features dances choreographed and performed by HSU students, faculty and members of the community. Faculty choreographers also include Jandy Bergmann and Middle Eastern dance artist Shoshana.
Inspiration for these dances came from many sources, including poems by Joy Harjo and North Coast poet Jerry Martien, an opera, and a painting by the choreographer’s father.
New to choreographing for the HSU dance concert as a faculty member this year is Jaese Lecuyer, well known locally as a singer who conducts the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir. He brings the Choir along for “Finding Flight,” the dance he choreographed with local dance artist Athena Clune, and with Sharon Butcher, head of the dance program in the HSU Department of Theatre, Film and Dance. Within the 3-part dance, which depicts a journey of liberation from bondage, LeCuyer dances a duet with student Jerri Sweeney.
“I Take Myself Back,” created and performed by student Cheri Anchondo, received top honors at the American College Dance Festival Northwest Conference in mid-March. She explores the influence of place on Native American dance forms, and includes an original sound score based on a poem by Joy Harjo.
Other dances explore environmental, social, personal and interpersonal themes, sometimes with a comic touch. “Positive transformation is a theme that runs through quite a few of the dances,” observes artistic director Sharon Butcher.
“We had a very strong group of seniors last year,” Butcher said, “but this year, we have probably the most talented group we’ve ever had together on one stage. And not just as dancers and choreographers, but a really, really fine group of human beings. They’re smart, kind, compassionate, interested and involved.”
A new wrinkle for this year’s concert is the participation of HSU graduate students in the new area of scenography, who are creating coordinated scenic, costume and lighting design for each dance.
As usual for the spring dance concert, there is a silent auction on the second Saturday, to raise funds for dance student travel and other educational activities.
Between Floor and Flight is performed Thursdays through Saturdays, April 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on the HSU campus in Arcata.
Tickets are $10 general, $8 students/seniors, with a limited number of free seats for HSU students at each performance, from HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. A Department of Theatre, Film & Dance production; Sharon Butcher, artistic director. http://HSUStage.blogspot.com.