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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Kansas City Ballet and UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Benefit Performances for the Salvation Army and Kansas City Free Health Clinic
"Pointes of View: The Art of Dance"

Tuesday March 24 at 7:30 p.m.
White Recital Hall, UMKC Campus
4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO
All donations will benefit the Salvation Army.
To reserve seats for March 24, visit www.salarmy-mokan.org
Phone 816-444-0052 for more information.

Wednesday March 25 at 7:30 p.m
White Recital Hall, UMKC Campus
4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO
All donations will benefit the Kansas City Free Health Clinic
To reserve seats for March 25, phone Sally at 816-777-1595.
Phone 816-444-0052 for more information.

This unique partnership between the Kansas City Ballet and the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance offers a rare opportunity for the dance community to see excerpts from a number of different ballets in an informal, narrated performance.  The collaborative effort will showcase the women of the Kansas City Ballet, along with selected UMKC Conservatory dance students, performing excerpts from the Kansas City Ballet repertoire, but utilizing simple, low-key lighting, sets, and costuming.  In this 60-75 minute program, titled "Points of View:  The Art of Dance", each piece will be introduced by Ballet Artistic Director William Whitener or Ballet Master James Jordan, to give historical context and explain the relevance of the piece to the Kansas City Ballet repertoire.  

The excerpts will include works from well-known, award-winning choreographers such as Todd Bolender (Coppelia, Celebration), Twyla Tharp (Brahms Paganini, As Time Goes By), Antony Tudor (Dark Elegies), Isadora Duncan (The Many Faces of Love), and William Whitener (Caprice).  Music will
include compositions of Gershwin, Haydn, Mahler, Brahms and others, as well as recorded music. 

Some excerpts for the project will be from the critically-acclaimed performances featured at the prestigious Joyce Theater in New York City in March of 2008.  This performance gives dance-lovers an educational opportunity to see great works, (with explanatory contexts), performed by professional dancers, as well as to contribute to local, deserving charity organizations, all in the same evening.  Suitable for all audiences, this performance will guarantee a feel-good experience from start to finish.

Owen/Cox Dance Group presents
Spring Performance:  World Premiere collaboration with artist Nate Fors
Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m.
H&R Block City Stage Theater, Union Station
30 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO

A relatively new dance group to the area, the Owen/Cox Dance Group features accomplished dancers, original choreography, and original music presented in innovative ways, often blending elements of classical and contemporary works.  This concert will feature a world premiere collaboration with artist Nate Fors, along with an assortment of other shorter works.  Never disappointing, this up and coming dance group is one for dance fans to keep their eyes on, as they continue to develop their own particular genre of contemporary dance.  

For tickets call 816-460-2020 or online at www.unionstation.org
For information on the company, call 816-931-1277 or online at www.OwenCoxDance.org

Carlsen Center at JCCC
Ballet Boyz
Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m.
Carlsen Center at JCCC
12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS

Described as Britain’s most "off-the-wall ballet dancers", the Ballet Boyz raises the benchmark for innovative and original choreography.  With a mix of unique repertoire, style, and artistic use of multimedia technology (including film, video, and blogging), this company has developed a devoted following.  This is a fresh and exciting young dance company that should not be missed by die-hard dance fans.  The company will also be holding a dance residency for interested dance students earlier in the week.  

For tickets call 913-469-4445 or online at www.jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter

Kacico presents
First Fridays Performance of "Forward Dark Berry Flavors with Accents of Chocolate"
Friday, April 3 at 9:30 p.m.
Fantastic Merlins with Kacico Dance
Kacico Studios West,
2540 W. Pennway, Kansas City, MO

This inventive and industrious dance group invites the audience to participate in a live studio performance that will be video-recorded.  The performance will begin following the April First Fridays activities in the Crossroads, and will feature an innovative improvisational collaboration between the dancers of Kacico Dance and the musicians of St. Paul's Fantastic Merlins.  Dance lovers are invited to be a part of this live studio audience for this one-of-kind show.

For ticket information call 816-569-5206 or online at www.kacicodance.org

Kansas City Youth Ballet
Spring Performance
Saturday, April 4  at 2 & 7 p.m.
Polsky Theatre, Carlsen Center
JCCC, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS

An annual concert gives the public an opportunity to see young aspiring ballet dancers at their best, all levels of student dancers will present their talents, honed by the Kansas City Ballet's renowned teachers.  To see tomorrow's ballet stars on the rise, this is the event to attend.  Suitable for all ages, the concert is a particular hit among children.  

For tickets call 913-469-4445 or online at www.jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter

City in Motion Professional Dance Company presents
Beautiful Discord
Saturday, April 4, 2009, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 5, 2009, at 2 p.m.
Gem Theater
1615 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO
 

This show features City In Motion's own professional dance company in their annual Spring Concert.  Titled "Beautiful Discord", this year's program will include six works by the three Artistic Co-Directors of City In Motion Dance Theater:  Andrea Skowronek, Dale Fellin, and Penelope Hearne.  CIM company members Stephanie Whittler and Joanna Des Marteau will also premiere new works for the concert.  The program choreography will feature a variety of modern dance styles and techniques, including abstract pieces, structured improvisation (performed to live music by the Spoonbender Orchestra), a kinetic study, "visceral" choreography, feminist explorations, and whimsical movement.  The annual Spring Concert offers variety and novelty, guaranteeing an entertaining evening of Modern Dance.  

For tickets call the Gem Box Office at 816-474-6282, or Ticketmaster at 816-931-3330, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information about the company, call City In Motion, 816-561-2882, or online at www.cityinmotion.org 

By Nicole English

Dance Contributor (Past writer)