Randy Granger

Randy Granger
In the Chihuahuan Desert near the Organ Mountains, New Mexico

Monday, November 30, 2009

Chaco Moon Meditation Dance Premiere this weekend.

News Center">News Center

‘Tis the Season’ for dancing
Date: 2009-11-30
Writer: No author cited

The New Mexico State University Dance program will present its annual holiday dance concert, “Tis the Season” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Onate High School Performing Arts Center.

NMSU performing companies will include Contemporary Dance Theatre, Sol y Arena Flamenco Dance Company and Crimson Rhythm DanceSport.

Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT) will perform “Paloma Blanca,” choreographed by Debra Knapp. The piece will be performed to “Cucurrucucu Paloma,” composed by Tomas Mendez and sung by Perla Batalla.

When Knapp said when she first heard this rendition, she felt the sadness of the lyrics but also was overwhelmed by the beauty of the song. She chose to create movement that would represent the beauty of love and the memory of what is so enduring about love.

Student members of CDT have collaborated under the direction of Knapp to create the choreography for a modern dance piece using large colored scarves titled “Ray of Light.” “Chaco Moon Meditation” by Las Cruces musician and composer Randy Granger will be the music for this flowing dance.

Also being performed by CDT is “From Our Pages,” choreographed by NMSU dance faculty member Ann Gavit. This piece is a glimpse into the life of a family, and will be performed to “Ode to Simplicity,” “Serenade to Spring” and “Papillon” by Secret Garden.

Set during World War II at Christmas, NMSU dance faculty member Kendal Cherry Beasly has choreographed a period piece danced by CDT members. The characters find themselves resting on park benches after a day of shopping and work. With many eligible men off at war, one handsome gent catches the attention of the ladies and soon, the pursuit is on. “Bye Bye Blackbird” is danced to “Ballin’ the Jack” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street” by Les Brown, as well as “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “Zing! Went the Strings of my Heart.”

Sol y Arena will perform “La Entrada,” an adaptation of the choreography of Pablo Rodarte arranged by NMSU dance faculty member Lucilene de Geus. “Huellas de Gaviota” with music by El Pele, is an Alegrias flamenco dance choreographed by NMSU dance faculty member Paco Antonio. “Guajira,” with music by Paco Jarana, is choreographed by Lucilene de Geus. “Bulerias” is choreographed by Antonio Granjero. “Palomas Oscuras,” with music by Camaron de la Isla, will be performed by dancers from Alma d’Arte charter high school, and is choreographed by Lucilene de Geus.

Crimson Rhythm will perform dances to holiday music ranging from intense and powerful to playful and festive. Student choreographed dance numbers will include fox trot for four couples, a swing/Lindy Hop/quickstep number, a 3-couple Viennese waltz/jive number, and a Viennese waltz. NMSU Dance faculty member Betty Burgess and student Derek Levya will perform a Nightclub two-step to the song “Where are You, Christmas?” by Faith Hill.

Tickets are $8 for students and Pan American Dance Institute (PADI) members and $10 for adults. For more information please call the NMSU Dance department at (575) 646-2070.

No comments: