The School of Dance, Music, and Theatre at Cal Poly Humboldt presents Dance Visions, a dance concert that opens Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on campus.
“The program contains a diverse selection of styles. There really is something for everyone,” says Dance faculty member Linda Maxwell. “This dance concert will feature contemporary, jazz, tap, middle eastern and Mexican folklorico dance. We have an expanded number of dance genres compared to past concerts. And this is the first time in two years in front of a live audience! It has been a long-awaited opportunity for the performers to work together again in person, and to connect with a live audience as they share their work. We are all thrilled to be back!”
Jay Carlton, guest artist, has choreographed Destabilized—a dance that examines our collective grief over the past two years and channels it into support, community, and acceptance. Carlton hopes that through the process of creating and performing this work, we can all gain a bit of empathy and compassion for each other and ourselves.
Dance Visions features seven student choreographers.
– Mia Stover choreographed El Sauce y la Palma.
– From the Mexican state of Sinaloa, El Sauce y la Palma translates to “the willow and the palm tree.” This is a courtship dance about a couple bending and swaying like the trees in the wind.
– If Only, choreographed by Chloe Schmidt, is a modern piece that explores the relationships between a group of dancers and follows each person’s individual journey with the feeling of loneliness.
–The dance entitled Dawn Chorus is choreographed by Calvin Tjosaas. This is a modern dance piece about coming to terms with the past in order to move forward.
– Jess Vonada has choreographed Serpentine Dream. This powerful belly dance trio explores the divine feminine through the relationship between music and movement.
– Nice to See You Again -- a contemporary duet with hints of jazz and theater -- is choreographed and performed by Chloe Schmidt and Jaese Lecuyer. This piece explores social boundaries which prevent individuals from fully expressing themselves and the freedom found when they take steps towards remembering who they were meant to be.
– Keely is the choreographer of When You Feel A Groove which explores the experience of dance for what it is. No message or story. It is the depiction of dancing for the pure joy and passion of it.
– Starry Night is performed and choreographed by Thi Samelson. Samelson describes this as a lyrical/contemporary piece where the movement portrays the story of Vincent Van Gogh and his struggles and frustrations with life and his art. The intentions of this piece are to open our eyes to the real and raw process of creating art from the authentic and often painful parts of who we are as human beings.
Dance faculty are also creating pieces.
– The first is Linda Maxwell who choreographed Comin' Together -- a fusion of tap and jazz movements danced by six dancers. This dance depicts the current era of separation and disagreement, followed by the optimistic view that we all can come together as one.
– Elizabeth Rivera, assisted by former faculty member Jeffrey O’Connor, presents Nuevo León, which is a suite of dances representing styles from the state of Nuevo León in northern México.
The music and dances from the northern regions of México are influenced by the immigrants who settled that area in the 19th century from Germany and France, as well as parts of Asia and Africa. Examples of these influences can be noticed in the dances and music of the polka, schottische, and redova. The dances in the suite are entitled Los Jacalitos (The Little Huts), a redova; Monterrey de Mis Amores (Monterrey Of My Loves), a schottische; and El Circo (The Circus), a polka.
Dance Visions opens Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. and continues April 14, 15, and 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre on campus. There will be one matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 17.
All ages are welcome. TicketsTicket are $10.00 general admission and $8.00 for students and seniors.
Cal Poly Humboldt students admitted free with ID. Lot parking is free on Friday nights and weekends. Proof of Covid vaccination or Cal Poly Humboldt (HSU) ID is required for entry. Masks are recommended. Tickets may be purchased online at Cal Poly Humboldt Center Arts at sites.humboldt.edu/Zdb or call 707-826-3928. For more information, call 707-826-3566.