June 2, 1998 Contact Ruth Heller (541) 346-3387 or John R. Crosiar 346-3135 EUGENE--More than 100 international scholars, writers and educators will converge on Eugene June 18-21 when the University of Oregon Department of Dance hosts the 1998 Conference of the Society of Dance History Scholars. Presentations at this year's conference will investigate such diverse topics as dance and disability; Native American, Asian and African dance forms; and feminism and dance, as well as topics in ballet and modern dance history. Day rates are available for members of the community who wish to attend conference sessions. The Society of Dance History Scholars defines dance history in the broadest sense, according to Jenifer P. Craig, head of the UO Department of Dance. She says the organization embraces a range of research methodologies drawn from the related disciplines of musicology, anthropology, theater and performance studies, feminist theory and gender studies as well as choreographic reconstruction and movement analysis. A conference highlight, "Oregon Dancers in Concert," is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19. Open to the public and conference participants, the performance will be in the Dougherty Dance Theatre on the third floor of Gerlinger Annex, 1484 University St. on the UO campus. The concert will feature performances by dancers/choreographers Mary Oslund and Gregg Bielemeier of Portland, Margo Van Ummersen and Kim Christensen of the Eugene-based Rosehips Dance Company, and UO dancers in works by guest artists Kay Bardsley and Les Watanabe. A limited number of tickets costing $10 apiece will be available to the public. Purchase tickets from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, June 18-19, at the dance department office in Room 161 of Gerlinger Annex. Any remaining tickets will go on sale at the door one hour before show time. For the latest information about conference day registration and session schedules or about concert tickets, call the UO Department of Dance office, (541) 346-3386, during business hours. Conference schedules also are posted on the Web at http://music1.uoregon.edu/SDHSschedule.html -30- #P-2249/A&E