Concerts, collaborations fill spring dance program

The excitement of live performance will resound throughout Lathrop Hall this spring as the Dance Program showcases works by guest artists, students, faculty and staff in a variety of events this semester.

Highlights include performances by Jin-Wen Yu Dance, Li Chiao-Ping Dance, and guest artists Rosalind Newman, acclaimed choreographer and UW alumna who will be in residence April 4-24, and San Francisco-based Fellow Travelers Performance Group artistic director Ken James and dancer/choreographer Cynthia Adams who will teach technique, dance repertory and somatic practices for the spring semester.

A summary of Dance Program spring events in Lathrop Hall, 1050 University Ave., follows.

• Jin-Wen Yu Dance
  “Overview”
  Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 27-29, 8 p.m.
  “Overview,” an evening of contemporary dance featuring choreography by Jin-Wen Yu, showcases several premieres and other recent works. Highlights include work inspired by Yu’s Chinese cultural heritage, along with live music by Nils Bultmann, a solo choreographed by nationally known dance artist Elizabeth Gillaspy and two works selected for American College Dance Festival Gala concerts.
  Tickets: $15, $10. For tickets and more information: (608) 262-1640 or http://www.jin-wenyudance.org.
• Dance Program Annual High School Workshop
  Saturday, Feb. 26, all day
  Every year the Dance Program invites high school students to participate in a daylong workshop of modern, ballet and world dance master classes taught by faculty, staff and guests. During the workshop, incoming freshmen pursuing dance degrees may also audition for a Dance Program scholarship for the upcoming academic year. This is a great opportunity for college-bound students to visit Lathrop Hall’s state-of-the-art facilities … and dance!
  Free, but preregistration is required. For more information: (608) 262-3679.
• Li Chiao-Ping Dance (LCPD)
  “Laughing Bodies, Dancing Minds”
  Thursday-Saturday, March 3-5, 8 p.m.
  “Laughing Bodies, Dancing Minds” is an intergenerational work that celebrates multiculturalism and the diversity of our communities through text and movement. Joining LCPD for this performance are guest artists Ken James and Cynthia Adams of San Francisco-based Fellow Travelers Performance Group, and members of the Madison community. Senior citizens from the Madison and Middleton Senior Centers and children from Crestwood Elementary School will help create an evening of powerful dance and expressive community collaboration.
  Tickets: $16, $12; $6, children 12 and under. For tickets and more information: (608) 263-5735 or http://www.lichiaopingdance.org.
• American College Dance Festival Preview
  Friday, March 11, 3:30 p.m.
  Many Dance Program students will travel to Iowa in March for the regional American College Dance Festival. The following works will be performed there, but previewed here in the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space prior to departure: “Brink,” choreographed by professor Li Chiao-Ping; “Voyages,” choreographed by senior Ashley Condon and “Drawn,” choreographed by senior Anne Mundigler.
  Free and open to the public.
• Festival of Interarts and Technology (FIAT)
  Friday, April 1, 6-10 p.m.
  Coordinated by the Interarts and Technology Club and professor Douglas Rosenberg, this year’s annual FIAT features original student performance and video works along with multimedia, interactive-computer and visual-art exhibits.]Free. For more information: (608) 262-1691.
• Dance Program Spring Concert
  Thursday-Friday, April 21-22, 8 p.m.
  Saturday, April 23, 1:30 p.m.
  The Spring Concert, coordinated by Marlene Skog, features work by guest artist Rosalind Newman, Cynthia Adams and Ken James, along with Dance Program academic staff, faculty and student choreographers. Highlights of this showcase performance include a wide range of innovative and diverse choreography and several premieres.
  Tickets: Purchase at the door. For more information: (608) 262-1691.

Dance Program events and guest artist residencies are generously supported by the UW–Madison School of Education and the Anonymous Fund. For more information about Dance Program concerts, classes and other activities, call (608) 262-1691 or visit the Dance Program’s Web site.