Pittsburgh Dance Council Presents MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP Tonight

Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, will present world renowned Mark Morris Dance Group at the Byham Theater, tonight, May 4, 2013, at 8:00 p.m.

Mark Morris Dance Group will perform three works: "The Muir", "Petrichor" and "The Festival Dance". The Muir (premiered in June 27, 2010) features six dancers with various music and Ludwig van Beethoven's arrangements to a collection of Irish and Scottish folk songs. Petrichor (premiered Oct. 14, 2010; title refers to the scent left behind after rain) features eight female dancers and is composed to a series of string quartets by composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. The Festival Dance (premiered March 17, 2011) is performed by 12 dancers to Piano Trio No.5, a Bohemian folk dance work composed by Johann Nepomuk Hummel. All three pieces were choreographed after the music had been chosen, a practice unique to Morris in all of his works.

Mark Morris has spent his life surrounded by the arts. First he learned music then he learned dance, both of which he pursued passionately. After graduation he spent time in Europe studying the flamenco. Moving to New York City was a major step for Morris that gave him the opportunity to perform with various companies. These experiences allowed him to develop his own style, creating dances in a rented studio space until the founding of Mark Morris Dance Group in Brooklyn, New York in 1980.

Tickets ($19-$48) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. Subscribe to the 2013-2014 Pittsburgh Dance Council season by calling(412) 456-1390 or online at www.TrustArts.org/dance.