Dance ISU takes center stage

Dancers at Danceworks on Friday, Nov. 9.

Productions of Danceworks: Dance ISU Concert were held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10, in the Bilyeu Theater in Frazier Hall. Three more performances will be held Thursday, Nov. 15, Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17.
For tickets, call the Stephens Performing Arts Center Box Office at 282-3595.
The concert begins with Lauralee Zimmerly’s “I Am No Longer Standing in the Gathering Dust,” a production for eleven dancers.
“What fun we have had in the creation of this work,” said Zimmerly, an associate lecturer at Idaho State University.  “The dancers have worked creatively to put their own movement twist on the choreography.”
Next is Josephine A. Garibaldi’s “Suits,” featuring eight dancers. The soundtrack includes Adachi Tomomi Royal Chorus, a Japanese band, and the a cappella group Zubi Zuva.
“There is no rest, no reprieve, only acceleration,” said Garibaldi of the piece.  “I am very impressed with the cast, not only for the fact that they created the movement phrases, but for their ability to sustain the physical constant that ‘Suits’ requires.”
Garibaldi is the Director of Dance at ISU.
The third piece in the Danceworks concert is Lori Head’s “Champagne.”
“[Champagne is] focused around the playfulness of bubbles and champagne delight,” said Head, an adjunct instructor. “Ballroom dancing is in the height of its glory at this time.”
Concluding the first act is Molly Jorgensen’s “Move With Me,” originally choreographed in 2002. According to Jorgensen, an adjunct instructor, the piece is about connecting the mind and body through dance.
Setting in motion the second act is adjunct instructor Sergiu Brindusa’s ballet entitled “Stripes.” The dance is set to a lighthearted musical piece by Dmitri Shostakovich.
Next is Paul Zmolek’s “Zaum Etude No. 7.”
‘Zaum’ is a word used to describe the linguistic experiments in sound symbolism and language creation of Russian Futurist poets. It comes from the suffix meaning “beyond.” Zmolek, who is also an adjunct instructor, co-directed “Zaum Beyond Significance” with Garibaldi.
Danceworks concludes the show with Sheena Phelps’ “Lose Your Mind Free Your Soul” (LYMFYS) with 14 dancers.
“This mix was designed using big international names in hip-hop to showcase the high impact journey of setting your soul free,” said Phelps, a senior at ISU. “This cast has dived into the music full force to discover who they are through movement. Together they created a space that was truly unbound by expectations and [they are] free to be who they are, not who they follow.”
Some of these pieces may be featured at the American College Dance Festival Conference (ACDFA), a nationwide dance conference, in the spring.
“I hope that [we get] into the ASDFA,” said Zimmerly. “It has a series of very intense workshops exposing you to the types of movement and expanding your horizons.”
“Danson is one of those organizations that is open to anyone who wants to experience creative movement,” added Zimmerly. “Not only is it fun, but it’s a way to bring dance to campus.”
For more information contact Josephine A. Garibaldi at ude.usinull@esojirag.

Performers in Dance ISU’s “Danceworks” Friday, Nov. 9.