Brigham Young University's most popular on-campus performance will debut at the Conference Center Theater Thursday through Saturday (Oct. 10-12).
"World of Dance," a production of the BYU Department of Dance that highlights a variety of dance styles, will have a performance each night at 7:30 and a matinee show at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in person at the Conference Center Ticket Office or online at www.lds.org/events.
The production, which has been a sellout for years on campus, features performances by the International Folk Dance Ensemble, Cougarettes, Dancers' Company, Theatre Ballet and the university's world-champion Ballroom Dance Company. Each group will perform the best and most exciting numbers from its repertoire.
The Ballroom Dance Company will treat the audience to three numbers, including a theater arts performance to "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera," a fast-paced West Coast swing done to a James Brown medley and a Standard Ballroom medley that covers ballroom classics like the foxtrot and waltz. In August 2002, the dancers competed in the Embassy Ball, an annual ballroom dance competition in Irvine, Calif., where the team once again won the title of United States National Formation Champions-a title they have held consecutively since 1982.
The International Folk Dance Ensemble will celebrate the rich traditions of music and dance from throughout the world with its two performances. The ensemble's first performance, "Attaches tes bottines," is an exciting French Canadian number filled with audience interaction and participation. "Hungarian Crossroads," the troupe's second number, is a showcase of the traditional dances from each region in Hungary.
The Cougarettes will perform their exciting jazz routines "Salsa," "Winter Song" and "Divas" to music by Gloria Estefan, Sarah McLachlan and Tarkan, the Turkish musician. The group captured the National Collegiate Dance Team title in 1997, 1998, 1999, and again in 2001. They are credited with raising the level of competitive collegiate dance teams to a new and respected level.
The Dancers' Company will present a fusion of dance styles with a focus on creative and artistic excellence. Their first number, "Affinity," is unique in that it has the dancers performing along with a student film project based on design. The company's other number, "Passing By the Front Porch," is a fun, upbeat celebration of dance set to Cajun music. The company is one of the most widely toured university-based contemporary dance companies in the United States.
In "Jammin' Classical" and "Apart From Her Wish," the Theatre Ballet delicately balances ethereal grace with exuberant energy and poised discipline. While excerpts from classical ballets are a major part of the repertoire, Theatre Ballet will also incorporate contemporary ballet choreography into the program.
In January and February of 2003, several BYU performing groups will return to the Conference Center Theater. For more information, visit *~*http://www.lds.org/events*~* or the BYU Performing Arts Management Web site, pam.byu.edu.
