Dance Innovations 2000
Poached, Hard-Boiled or Scrambled -York University Serves Up a Tempting Menu of Contemporary Dance

TORONTO, March 1, 2000 -- Do you like your contemporary dance poached, hard-boiled or scrambled? York University's Department of Dance presents Dance Innovations, running from March 14 to 18, offering a varied menu of performances. The head chef is co-ordinator, Darcey Callison. Hopefully all three programs will deserve a side-order of toast.

Here's an opportunity to catch three very different programs of innovative solo and ensemble pieces in a variety of dance styles featuring emerging young choreographers and dancers.

Poached (Series A) presents Mitch Kirsch, artistic director of Dogs in Space, remounting his work Lizard. This piece was originally created in 1991 and conceived as an apology to the Arab world for the Gulf War. It features a collage of traditional Arab music. According to Kirsch, the movement is physical and quirky. The dance was first performed by a quartet, but has been reworked for the members of the third year repertory class of York's dance department. As well Poached includes a selection of works presented by the York Dance Ensemble, York's repertory company under artistic director, Holly Small.

Hardboiled (Series B) has fourth year choreography students asking hard questions about making dance. It's a collaborative effort with 13 choreographers creating a single work. Two York music students, Michael Droettboom and Jennifer Bird have composed original music for this evening length presentation.

Scrambled (Series C) features a non-juried selection of nine works encouraging young dancers' determination to scramble the edges of the unexpected.

Dance Innovations runs in a three part series from Mar. 14 to 18.
Showtimes are Tue. to Thu. 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Fri & Sat. 2, 5 & 7:30 p.m.
Performances in the Joseph G. Green Studio Theatre, Centre for Film and Theatre, York University, 4700 Keele St.
Admission is $5 per show. Tickets are available at the door or may be reserved in advance by calling the York Dance Department hotline, (416) 650-8030.

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For further information please contact:

Carol Bishop
Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
(416) 736-2100 ext. 20421
email: cbishop@yorku.ca