Different Voices

Thursday & Friday, August 6 &7
Schaeffer Theatre, 8 p.m.
$20/$12 (Students & Seniors)

(left to right) Shanneka Harrell - photo by Julieta Cervantes, Adele Myers & Diana Deaver - photo by Christopher Duggan, Kyle Abraham - photo by Steven Schreiber

Showcasing an intriguing array of contemporary dance, visiting choreographers from three continents bring compelling styles and perspectives to our stage. The evening features Kenyan choreographer, Opiyo Okach, known for his subtle improvisational style and contemporary reinterpretations of East African traditions; Nigerian dancer, acrobat, writer and filmmaker, Qudus Onikeku, who currently performs with the acclaimed company of Heddy Maalem; Philippino choreographer, Jose Jay B Cruz, whose work explores globalization and identity; New York choreographer/performer Jennifer Archibald, who blends hip hop, modern, jazz and Latin styles; and emerging choreographers Adele Myers, whose work has graced venues from New York to Seattle; Kyle Abraham, named as one of "25 to watch" by Dance Magazine in 2008; and Shanneka Harrell, former Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company member.

"Adele Myers has managed to inject an element of levity into an art form that often takes itself too seriously."

"Like an African griot, who changes the pattern of his stories each time he tells them, Opiyo Okach improvises and re-creates the world of eastern Africa's nomadic peoples and re-invents their stone-age mythologies."

Jennifer Archibald is "... creating a style of hip hop that is historically grounded and ahead of it's time".

"Kyle Abraham married gesticulating hip-hop bravado to a silky movement language somewhere between Butoh and voguing."