The Denison University Department of Dance will present its annual spring concert titled "Spiral Glimpses" featuring choreography by Vail visiting artist Molly Shanahan, Assistant Professor Mishele Mennett, Visiting Professor Lanialoha Lee, and student choreographers Jennifer Guglielmi and Anusha Jogi. "Spiral Glimpses" will be presented at 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday (April 28-30) in the Doane Dance Performance Space. Tickets for the concert are $8 for general admission, $4 for senior citizens, children, and students. Tickets may be reserved at http://www.denison.edu/dance. For more information, please call the dance department at 740.587.6712

In recognition of National Dance Day on Friday (April 29), the dance department will be sponsoring conversations and a reception with choreographers and dancers following the concert. The reception is open to all who attend the concert that evening and the dance department welcomes this opportunity for the community to speak with the performers and choreographers in the spirit of sharing that National Dance Day is designed to encourage.

Shanahan, a 1990 graduate of Denison and Vail guest artist, describes "Eye Cycle: Skeleton Key" as her "ongoing investigation of the impact of light, framing, perspective and shadow on the experience and perception of dance and recorded movement." She spent two weeks in residence teaching classes and choreographing this original work for eight dance students: seniors Jennifer Baker (Powell), Anusha Jogi (Harare, Zimbabwe), Aubrey Perlee (Jamestown, NY.) and Kate Schmidt (New Haven, Ind.); junior Jennifer Guglielmi (Lexington, Ky.); and sophomores Erin Davidson (Philadelphia, Pa.), Sarah Drake (Traverse City, Mich.) and Eleni Grove (Middleburg, Va.).

Mennett describes her piece, "Becoming," as "a ballet piece traveling on many levels from childhood to adulthood: from impact to contact, from mimetic silliness to smooth integration. The question is, both in dance and in life, how does one really connect with others, while at the same time becoming more truly oneself?" "Becoming" is accompanied by selections by Bela Fleck and Bill Frisell and is performed by senior Schmidt, sophomores Davidson and Kate Seymour (Moundridge, Kan.) and first-years Lesley Lighthiser (Truckee, Calif.) and Jennifer Trinkle (Columbus).

Visiting Professor of World Dance Lanialoha Lee is presenting a traditional Hawaiian Hula work featuring herself and the students of her Hawaiian Hula classes. Students will perform two pieces, the traditional "Ke Ha`a La Puna/Ke Ha`a Ka Wahine `Awa Ike `Ahi `Ena`Ena E", and the contemporary "Maunaleo." Lee will also perform the traditional "Hi`ilawe."

Jogi, a senior dance major, presents a solo piece, "Long Way From Home," inspired by her senior honors research project in which she investigated women's roles in society. Using text, song, and movement, "Long Way From Home" reflects the struggles and, especially, the hopes of the American slaves. Jogi also uses improvisation in her poignant movement piece.

Junior dance major Guglielmi has created a work, "songs I used to know," that investigates the essence of memories. She states that "it identifies both moments that last and those that fade away, whether easily or over time. Drawing from personal experiences of the choreographer and the dancers, this piece places significance on the differences between intimate relationships, individuality, and group participation." Performed by five students to a work by Meredith Monk, this is Guglielmi's second choreographic endeavor. Students performing are sophomore Katie Sparks (Ashland, Ky.) and first-years Jessica Carthen (Perry), Brooke Hayes (Columbus), Lighthiser, and Sarah Page (Indianapolis, Ind.).

CALENDAR INFORMATION: Denison University,The Denison Dance Department presents its annual spring concert "Spiral Glimpses"; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (April 28-30) in the Doane Dance Performance Space. Tickets are $8 general admission and $4 for senior citizens, children and students. Free to Denison faculty, staff, and students. Tickets may be reserved at www.denison.edu/dance. For more information

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575