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Intellect

BYU's "Evening of Dance" May 8-9 features children's choreography

Brigham Young University’s Young DanceMakers will present “An Evening of Dance — Happiness Is…” Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center.

Tickets are $8, and can be purchased by visiting byuarts.com or by calling the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 422-4322.

The performance features 110 children, ages 6-18, who have created their own choreography based on what happiness means to them. Each piece is preceded by “Happiness is…” The dances will show how happiness is being a toy, having a grandmother, dancing in the rain, conquering challenges and creating.

The piece, “Happiness is being a boy/transformer” choreographed by Becky Ellis, will feature 18 boys. “Happiness is L.O.L,” directed by Kathleen Sheffield, artistic director of Young DanceMakers , will present a mixture of movements that make children laugh.

Other pieces will show how happiness is friendship, a new pair of shoes and, finally, a golden thread that weaves throughout life. This last piece will be the culmination of all the dances and definitions of happiness.

“Those in the audience might not be able to change anything about their circumstance, life or world around them, but they can take a little bit of joy and happiness home in their pocket,” Sheffield said. “Children remind us how to see the golden thread of happiness that is woven into every day of our lives.”

For more information, contact Kathleen Sheffield at (801) 422-2043.

Writer: Angela Fischer

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