by Sarah Fayad
Daily Lobo
It may be the annual faculty dance show, but UNM students will be the ones performing an array of ensembles.
"Dancer Dancing Dance" runs in Rodey Theatre Friday to Sunday. It will feature the talents of UNM dance students as they perform pieces by European choreographer Esther Balfe.
UNM professors Judith Bennahum, Marisol Encinias, Donna Jewell, Suzanne Johnston, Lana Kroth and Jennifer Predock-Linnell also choreographed the seven piece show. The performances range from flamenco to jazz and are set to music from Brahms to dance remixes.
Donna Jewell, head of dance at UNM, was enthusiastic about the number of performers.
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"There are 62 dancers in the show," she said. "I'm very excited about that. There are a lot of physical, gutsy and daring dances."
She said the wide range of dance forms and artistic expression will represent a good balance. Flamenco and classical ballet will join dance theater, an art form where the dancer speaks as they move.
"Some of the pieces are purely pleasing to the eye, and others challenge the intellect," Jewell said. "The performance will present the diversity and quality of the dance program at UNM."
The annual faculty dance performance is nothing new for the UNM Theatre & Dance Department.
"We've been doing this 20 years, easily," said Judith Bennahum, department chair and one of this weekend's choreographers.
She said the event has changed over the last couple of decades, especially with the acquisition of Carlisle Gym.
Each piece in this weekend's performance is an original example of the corresponding choreographer's work.
"Of course we use students," Bennahum said. "They are the paint on the canvas. They are everything - the jewels in our crown."
Bennahum said she is also looking forward to Balfe's piece.
Balfe, British choreographer residing in Vienna, will put on an original work called "Pointe 2," a piece written in October that has only been performed once before.
"Esther Balfe is the center of our show," said Bennahum.
Performances include:
"Pointe 2" choreographed by Esther Balfe
"Love Songs" contemporary pointe ballet choreographed by Judith Bennahum
Untitled flamenco choreographed by Marisol Encinias
"Sunny Side" modern dance choreographed by Donna Jewell
"Moves" traditional ballet piece on pointe choreographed by Suzanne Johnston
Untitled jazz piece choreographed by Lana Kroth
"Pulse" live dance with live video choreographed by Jennifer Predock-Linnell
COMING ATTRACTION
Dancer Dancing Dance
Rodey Theatre
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
