EUGENE–The University of Oregon Department of Dance will present the 2001 Spring Student Dance Concert, "Spring Forward," at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, May 17—19.

The performance is in the Dougherty Dance Theatre on the third floor of Gerlinger Annex, 1484 University St. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. "Duck Special" tickets for the May 17 performance are $1 off with UO identification. All tickets are available at the first-floor west lobby of Gerlinger Annex 30 minutes prior to each performance.

Each year, the Spring Student Dance Concert offers UO dance students valuable experience with both the practical aspects of dance production and the creative challenge of original dance works.

This year, three graduate students and four undergraduates are choreographing for "Spring Forward." Because of the diversity of choreographers and dancers involved, "Spring Forward" offers viewers an exciting and dynamic collection of work with a cast of more than 40 students.

Graduate student Lauren Bracey will present an exploration of childhood relationships and movement in "Finding Six." Performed by seven dancers, "Finding Six" features a series of collaboratively created vignettes on childhood that are set to solo piano selections by French composer Francis Poulenc.

Melanie Simmons, a senior dance major, will present "Stalls." This piece, created in collaboration with four dancers, explores both externally and internally imposed spatial boundaries. "Stalls" is performed to "Hymn" by Instrumental Acoustek; costumes are designed by UO senior Rebecca Rank.

Through improvisation, senior Kathryn Thorson conveys the physicality of emotion in "That Feeling." Performed to "Through the Woods" by Metamora, "That Feeling" serves as part of Thorson’s senior project in dance.

"Ride," a duet created by graduate student Tim Cowart, rounds out the first half of the concert. Through a continuous stream of dynamic partnering, "Ride" creates an ongoing flow of momentum from beginning to end. The performance of dancers Kristen Warnick and Sarah Palmer is accompanied by John Scofield’s "Lazy."

Josie Ver Meer’s work, "#19," opens the second half of "Spring Forward." This sultry jazz piece is part of Ver Meer’s senior project focused on traditions of jazz dance. Performed to music by Ann-Margret and Aretha Franklin, "#19" draws inspiration from relationships and experiences in an ever-changing world, wherein dance remains the constant.

Senior Stephanie Alison Butcher will present "Vibrant Alliance," performed to music by Jocelyn Pook. This dance creates a look into the unrealized and unspoken relationships that people form as they move through life. "Vibrant Alliance" features six dancers in costumes designed by Rank.

"Spring Forward" closes with "Proverbial Dance," choreographed by graduate student Corrie Franz Cowart. In this work, a seven-dancer ensemble uses live vocal rhymes and rhythmic dance phrases in an exploration of proverbs and quirky common sayings. A haunting original score by Portland composer Brent Knopf accompanies "Proverbial Dance."

The wheelchair access elevator is on the east end of Gerlinger Annex.

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

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