2015 SoCo Spring Dance Concert Set for Sonoma State University, 5/7-9

2015 SoCo Dance Theater, an emerging professional, multi-generational dance company based in Sonoma County, presents its main stage dance concert May 7 to May 9, 2015 at the Evert B. Person Theatre, located on the Sonoma State University campus in Rohnert Park, CA.

Dedicated to the creation and promotion of dynamic and engaging contemporary dance, SoCo Dance Theater supports and showcases its accomplished and acclaimed choreographers while it explores traditional and experimental approaches to dance.

This 2015 SoCo Dance Theater concert reflects community outreach made possible by a grant from Community Foundation of Sonoma County and a partnership with SSU Department of Theatre Arts & Dance. The performance will feature new and repertory dances choreographed and performed by SoCo Dance Theater, a returning work by Mark Haim and a dance for SSU students by Wade Madsen, guest artist from Seattle.

The performance on May 8 features students from three Sonoma County high schools performing their dances after an intensive day of master classes on the SSU campus. The partnership and grant have also made possible educational outreach of SoCo dancers to Sonoma County elementary schools and senior communities.

SSU/SoCo Spring Dance Concert 2015 features an eclectic array of dance pieces, including:

Under Spheres of Influence (Premiere 2015)
In a world inundated by an information tsunami, how do we choose what will influence us? "Spheres of Influence" investigates the impact of culture and nature on our decisions.
Choreographer: Nancy Lyons

From Us (2014)
Set to music by the Section Quartet and Bay Area composer Beth Custer, "From Us" is a physically rich contemporary work celebrating each dancer's unique choreographic expression and perceptions.
Choreographer: Mercy Sidbury

Dance on the Swastika (2008)
"Dance on the Swastika" is inspired by the paintings of Ceija Stojka, who survived three WWII concentration camps and through her art shares the Roma people's story with the world.
Choreographer: Gloria E. Rubio-Verduzco

Children's Suite (Premiere 2015)
This luminous suite of vignettes integrates poetry and dance in choreopoems that evoke the complexity of intergenerational relationships as well as the bshae@dancersgroup.org ittersweet dimensions of memory and loss. Choreographer: Mira-Lisa Katz

The show runs May 7 to May 9, 2015, playing 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, 2015; and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Evert B. Person Theatre, Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Evert B. Person Theatre accessed through the main entrance to Sonoma State University.

VENUE / PARKING: Evert B. Person Theatre - From the South entrance on East Cotati Avenue, turn right at the stop sign in front of the information kiosk. Park in Lots E (left) and F (right). Parking passes are $5 and may be purchased from the self-dispenser at the lot entrance.

COST: $10 to $17 - Standard admission $17; SSU faculty and staff $15; Senior (55+) and visiting students $10. SSU students admitted free with ID. Tickets online: www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance/productions/SSU-SoCo-2015.html. Purchase tickets online or at the door. Box office phone: 707 664-4246 or online at www.sonoma.edu/tix. For more information about SoCo Dance Theater: www.socodancetheater.org.

Pictured: Dancers Jessica Houston, Jared Wiltse and Jenna Valez. Photo courtesy of James Wirth Photography.