Third Annual Downtown Dances Set for Ware Center, 3/9

Three years ago, Downtown Dances was started to give local dance companies, dancers and independent choreographers a chance to showcase their talents in a professional theatre. Now in its third year, "Front, Back & In-Between," this year's theme, brings a fresh new collection of performers in this always-popular performance to the Ware Center, 42 North Prince Street, on Sunday, March 9 at 4 p.m.

Dance performances were selected from submissions by local dance companies and choreographers by the Downtown Dance producers. Some of the more established performers include:

Grant Street Dance Company (Kim Jureckson): "Remorse". "Remorse" is an interpretation of the painting of the same name by renowned Lancaster-based artist (and the mayor's wife!) Gail Gray. Artistic director, Kim Jureckson takes inspiration from the way the lines of the painting melt off the page to create a work of dance art that is both complex and affecting.

NetCo Dance Company (Jennifer Berlet and Cynthia Nehr): "Hollow Swell" and "5". NetCo employs their signature style of intricately woven and technical choreography to present two new works. "5" explores our relationship with our own mortality, and "Hollow Swell" uses movement and breath to depict the power and weight of water.

Rev9 (Kristin Pontz): "Apache" Rev9's intense physicality and dazzling partner work have been wowing audiences for several seasons. They will present "Apache," an interpretation of Parisian street dance during the turn of the century.

Barefoot Dance Company (Priscilla Kaufhold): "Friend of Foe" Celebrated choreographer, Priscilla Kaufhold and her newly formed Barefoot Dance Company will perform "Friend or Foe." a humorous take on the foibles of forming new relationships.

Newcomers to the series include:

· Remote Dance Company (Stacia Sleight): "Remote" utilizes verbal, written, and electronic resources to inspire physical creation. Choreographer, Stacia Sleight's unique process and talented dancers drive her company's powerful signature piece.

· In.K. Experiment (Ashely Lumberg): "Apprentice" Ashely Lumberg's In.K. Experiment will be performing "Apprentice," a provocative blend of modern, jazz, and theatre.

· Annie McGillian and Christine Chever-Healy are each performing original solos.

· Pedro DeLima is presenting a duet centered on attaining balance in human relationships.

Also, included in the line-up are local advanced and pre-professional student dancers, who show an incredibly diverse range of styles:

· Encore Dance Center's Performance Company will be showing two drastically different, but equally spectacular works. Ballet director, Dana Shelley depicts loss and memory in "Not There," an intense, but also tender duet. Encore alum, Emily Kline will present "Sui Generis," a powerful jazz piece illustrating the perseverance of the independent spirit.

· The Messiah College Dance Ensemble will perform two new pieces for Downtown Dances. Gregg Hurley's "World Weary and Ready for Rest" explores the idea of finding resilience in the face of adversity. In "Rise and Fall," Marie Cleaves Rothacker builds layers with movement centered around suspension and release of weight.

· Melissa Goodling's Raven Dance Ensemble will present "Home," a vintage-inspired take on the meaning of the word.

A technically masterful solo that moves like running water will presented by Shari Vegso-Wilson's COBALT Dance Company completes the line-up.

The one-hour show is followed by a family-friendly reception in which audience members mingle and meet the cast.

Tickets: $15 |$10 for seniors & $5 for students. Tickets include the post-show family-friendly reception. Call 717-872-3811 or 717-871-2308, online at artsmu.com or in person at the Ware Center Box Office (42 N. Prince St., Lancaster) or the SMC Building on the MU Campus. If tickets are still available, tickets may be purchased starting at 4 p.m. the day of the screening.

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