EUGENE–The University of Oregon Department of Dance will present the annual faculty concert, "Dance 2000… for Dr. D.," at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Dougherty Dance Theatre at Gerlinger Annex, 1484 University St. on campus.

The concert, featuring six dance performances, is dedicated to the late M. Frances Dougherty, founder of the UO dance department and a leader in dance education in Oregon. A reception to honor Dougherty, who died in Arizona last fall, will be held next door in the Alumni Lounge at Gerlinger Hall, 1468 University St., after the final performance on Feb. 26.

"Bending Redwoods" is a collaboration between Associate Professor Steven Chatfield and dancers Wind Kim and Dawn Tuman, with an original score by Associate Professor Jeffrey Stolet. The material arose from explorations of movement in nature, in particular, the affinity of organisms for one another.

Assistant Professor Pamela Geber’s "Within" premiered in November 1999. Set to the percussive and melodic sounds of the Kronos Quartet and Meredith Monk, the work features 10 tumbling dancers using two large frames to create snapshots for the audience.

"The Ambrosia of Amnesia" was co-choreographed by Geber and 16 dancers. Quirky duets and trios create random pathways through the space as dancers expand, crumple and fall into twists. The playful movement is performed to two tangos by Argentine composer Astor Piazolla.

Inspired by a medley of electronic music arranged by John Schaefer, Assistant Professor Amy Lynn Stoddart’s "Transfiguration" features senior dance major Laura Nash and an ensemble of eight dancers en pointe. Puppet-like images derived from the German art show "Puppenköper" are sprinkled throughout the three sections.

Stoddart’s "The Sleeper," created for the UO School of Music’s Festival of the Millennium, will be performed by student Erin Landaker and accompanied by the music of acclaimed composer George Crumb. Distorted ballet-based movement is woven with symbolic gestures.

"Encounter in Solitude" was choreographed by Susan Zadoff, dance senior instructor emerita, for performance by Stoddart. The solo, a blend of tango- and flamenco-inspired movement with music by Piazolla, offers a private glimpse into a woman’s reflections overshadowed by tension and sensuality.

Located on the third floor of Gerlinger Annex, the Dougherty Dance Theatre recently underwent major renovations. The most recent addition, a new seating system with nine rows of individual seats, replaced bleachers which had been used for more than 20 years.

Tickets for "Dance 2000… for Dr. D.," priced at $10 for general admission and $6 for students and senior citizens, will be available at the door beginning one hour before each performance. Seating is limited.

For further information, call the UO Department of Dance, (541) 346-3386.

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