EUGENE–The University of Oregon Department of Dance will present its annual faculty dance concert, "Dance 2001," at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 2, and at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at the Dougherty Dance Theatre in Gerlinger Annex, 1484 University St.

Presenting challenging physicality in varied and exciting movement styles, "Dance 2001" will include works choreographed by five UO dance faculty members and performed by 37 UO undergraduate students.

"Jade Visions," choreographed by Janet Descutner, associate professor emerita, evokes Oregon’s changeable coast, sea and sky scapes, as well as the changeability of life’s phases. Using a 1961 recording of Scott LaFaro’s "Jade Visions" by the Bill Evans Quartet, Descutner was inspired by the musical imagery and unique manipulations of the 9/4 meter.

Assistant Professor Amy Lynn Stoddart choreographed a ballet, "All Together in One Place," to Aaron Copland’s "Duo for Violin and Piano." This contemporary pointe piece was inspired by Jane Kirkpatrick’s fictional work by the same name, in which 11 women successfully cross the United States on the Oregon Trail despite the deaths of all the men in the group.

Adjunct Instructor Rita J. Honka will present her duet "Familiars." Performed to "Minus One" by Greg Ellis, Honka’s choreography uses two intertwining themes to show aspects of friendship and familiarity in movement. First performed at Linfield College in May 2000, "Familiars" was re-created for performers Batyah Freedman and Erin Riley.

Stoddart’s second piece in the concert is entitled "Yo-Yo." This piece is a blend of classical and contemporary dance styles and is performed by eight dancers to composer Edgar Meyer’s driving "1B," played by Meyer, Yo-Yo Ma and Mark O’Connor. "Yo-Yo" also will be performed in March at the American College Dance Festival in Santa Fe, N.M.

"The Power of the Pulse," created collaboratively with eight dancers and directed by Associate Professor Steven Chatfield, explores pulsating rhythms and propelling power. Performed to "Kid A" by Radiohead, the physical power of the dancers merges with the music through the constant surging pulse.

Closing the concert is "Dis In Te Gra Te," an edgy contemporary piece choreographed by Assistant Professor Walter Kennedy and dancers that is performed to a driving score by John Kennedy and to selections by Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klinek and Reinhold Heil. Walter Kennedy, a former soloist with the Lewitzky Dance Company, is new to the UO dance faculty this year.

Tickets for performances are $10 for general admission and $5 for UO students and senior citizens. They are available at the door 30 minutes prior to each performance.

For information, call the UO dance department, (541) 346-3386.

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