Busy fall dance season to feature guest artists

A circus master, a Klein Technique expert, music by Pink Floyd and works influenced by Chinese culture are among the artistic highlights interwoven throughout the Dance Program’s fall season.

Jin-Wen Yu Dance, led by dance professor Jin-Wen Yu, presents a captivating, cross-cultural, multi-media concert, Interspace, on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. in the Madison Civic Center’s Oscar Mayer Theater, 211 State St.

The program includes the world premiere of “Which One is Pink?”, a multi-media group piece inspired by the music of Pink Floyd’s legendary album “Dark Side of the Moon”; a group ballet performed by members of Dance Wisconsin accompanied live by a UW–Madison percussion ensemble; and the Wisconsin premiere of “Feathering,” a quintet commissioned by New York City’s Chinese Culture and Information Center.

Guest artist Barbara Mahler, an expert in the Klein Technique, will be on campus for a weeklong residency Sept. 23-30. The Klein Technique stresses proper skeletal alignment to enhance energy flow through the body and enable dancers to move with maximum fluidity and dynamic range. During her residency, Mahler will teach classes in the Dance Program, share her expertise in the Klein Technique, and perform a new work in the Li Chiao-Ping Dance concert in Lathrop Hall Sept. 27-30. Mahler’s residency is sponsored by the Brittingham Visiting Scholar Program.

This season, Li Chiao-Ping Dance steps into the role of presenter with GÓ, showcasing the work of three modern dance companies Sept. 27-29, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m., all in Lathrop.

The companies include Li Chiao-Ping Dance of Madison, Barbara Mahler Solo Dance of New York City, and Zephyr Dance of Chicago. Featured are two works by acclaimed choreographer and dance professor Li Chiao-Ping including “Gó,” a quintet from the company’s repertory, and “Extreme Close-Up,” a new collaboration with New York composer Stephen Vitiello; Mahler’s solo “The Love Dances,” with music by The Platters and The Inkspots; and two works by Zephyr Dance, including “Wanderthrough,” an ensemble work, and “Niagara Mind,” a dance inspired by Niagara Falls.

Dance Program students present a variety of multi-media, solo and group works ranging from the improvisational to the highly structured in the Fall Student Concert in Lathrop Oct. 25-27 at 8 p.m.

In November, multi-talented performer, director, and choreographer Tandy Beal will be guest artist in residence. As the artistic director for Tandy Beal & Company and for the New Pickle Circus, Beal has created 20 full-length shows and about 100 shorter works for dance, circus, film, television, theater, opera, animation, corporate events and even a halftime show for the San Francisco 49ers.

During her residency sponsored by the Anonymous Fund, Beal will teach classes, choreograph a work for students and perform in the Fall Faculty Concert.

The fall season culminates with the Faculty Concert Nov. 15-17 at 8 p.m. in Lathrop Hall. Featured will be guest artist Beal and the distinguished dance faculty performing new and recent works.