The Michigan Daily - Frday, October 3, 1997 - 9
(eunited and it feels so good:'U' alumni dance back to A2

By Uucija Franetovic
For the Daily
The-Dance School alumni are com-
ing to town and they're bringing dance
numbers with them that were created in
ifferent parts of the country.
From New
York's Artichoke
Dance Company's P R
"Full Speed Alumni
Ahead," an explo-
ration of speed and
momentum involv- Bett
ing video projec- Ticket
tion to."Beggar," a
frustrated and angry rampage danced
by Marsha Pabalis, a world performer
ho has performed in Hong Kong and
the Far East, this concert will be as
diversified as all of its participants and
their influencing environments.
They share, however, the common
threads of a parallel University of.
Michigan training and will reunite to
celebrate talent, dance and friendship
for two 8 p.m. concerts Oct. 3rd and 4th
at the Betty Pease Studio Theater, locat-

ed inside the CCRB.
The University of Michigan Guest
Artist Series, directed by Jessica Fogel,
usually brings in modern dance free-

lance artists and
nies. This year
EVIEW
Dance Concert
Tonight and Saturday
y Pease Dance Studio
s $8 , $5 for students

smaller scale compa-
features the Alumni
Dance Concert,
including 16 alumni,
most of which she
has worked with, and
she put it, "it's great
to see them come
back." Five years
ago a concert like
this one was given

The program includes solos, duets,
trios and a quintet, some funny and
some serious and
intense. Many
pieces include
interesting effects
such as the incor-
poration of video
and slide projec-
tions and live
acoustic music.
W h i t l e y
Setrakian wrote
the text and plays
the guitar for his
number, as well
as doing the
choreography.
S t e p h a n i e
Kosarin also
composed the
music for her
humorous and
c a b a r e t e s qu e Maureen Janson st
dance duet with
Jodie Colone.
"Silenzio" is a male duet by another

Ann Arbor-based
Crowley. It is heavy<

artist, William
and introspective,
but without
music. The inter-
active high-tech
duet by Patricia
Plasko involves
people manipu-
lating props and
sounds on stage
to create interest-
ing soundwork
and effects.
There are 17
numbers with the
programs from
the two shows
combined, each
day offering new
things to see. The
music is very var-
ied and presents
songs from
Depeche Mode,
Mendelssohn,

involved themes (as involved as can be
for a 5-10 min average length of the
dances) such as Barbara Boothe's trio
danced by University of Michigan
dance majors Missy Bischoff, Felesha
Simpson and Erika Atwood. "Many
Voices, Many Rooms" is about stark
loneliness. Even more dramatic may be
Nancy Lanier and Henry Van Kuiken's
"The Beloved," which is a drama-
packed, ominous piece about a man
who bludgeoned his wife because he
suspected her of being unfaithful.
Anything can happen with such great
room for creative freedom as is present in
such a concert and such great amounts of
skill that the performers have to work
with. Especially with such a welcoming
and intimate atmosphere as is sure to be
present at this event, one can not imagine
leaving it without having been heavily
entertained and enlightened.
The program begins Thursday
evening with practice, followed by mas-
ter classes with alumni during the day
on Friday, a reception following the
Saturday night show as well as a brunch

and it yielded great satisfaction to both
performers and viewers so the goal is to
repeat such success.
Many of the alumni have worked
with leading modern dance companies
such as the Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane
Dance Company, the Bella Lewitsky
Dance Company and some other West
coast companies. Many are free-lance
dancers and choreographers and yet
others work as faculty members at dis-
tinguished colleges and universities.

rikes a unique pose.

on Sunday.
The shows will be rather intimate
because the performance hall h'olds
only about 100 people. Tickets may be
purchased early at the Michigan League
Ticket Office (764-0450) or at the dor
after 7 p.m.. They are $8 general adiis-
sion and $5 for students and seniors.
For more information call (763-5461).
Anything can happen with such' great
room for creative freedom as is present in
such a concert and such great amounts of
skill that the performers have to work
with. Especially with such a welcoming
and intimate atmosphere as is sure'to'be
present at this event, one can not imagine
leaving it without having been heavily
entertained and enlightened.
(C1 - -,ckcs. Grtay od~cc.
Mexico City $323
Anchorage $427
London $461
Paris $461
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Travel
CJEE: Council on InternationalM
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Ann Arbor
(313) 998-0200

Bach and much more.
Most dances have specific and

vlindlessly fun cult hit 'Xena' fends off evil, critics in third season

By G6briel Smith
For e Daily
With her battle cry, trademark lethal
throwing ring, and tight leather outfit,
"Xeoa: Warrior Princess" has quickly
catapulted to the ranks of cult status in
only two seasons.
Executive producer Sam Raimi
buted this show in September of 1995
to mixed reviews. That status changed
oh so quickly.
Set against the backdrop of the
Meditarranean Sea and the underlying
regions, the show stars tall, lanky New
Zealand native Lucy Lawless in the title
role. Lawless does a wonderful job in
creatig a character who is ferocious,
determined, vengeful, yet with glimpses
,compassion.
With. her able sidekick Gabrielle

(Renee O' Connor), the duo traverses
the continent, relishing in an assortment
of adventures. The character of
Gabrielle has undergone a huge trans-
formation from an almost naive, obnox-
ious girl to a staff-wielding, combat
ready woman. Add in the character
Joxer (Ted Raimi)I
for comic relief R
and the almost
mystical Calisto Xe
(Hudson Leick),
and you have a
diverse ensemble
of people.
Week in and week out, loyal viewers
are treated to a collage of characters
both real and fictitious from anywhere
from history, mythology, and folklore.
Shows have included anywhere from

I

Poseidon to a momentous encounter
with the famous Roman emperor Julius
Caesar. Writers of the show have also
delved into the Bible, allowing Xena an
encounter with Goliath and even having
Xena pass the baby Jesus on a dirt road.
Sometimes though, you will just see an
____________old-fashioned
E v I E W episode where Xena
has to rescue the
na: Warrior damsel-in-distress.
In a sense, Xena is
PrinCess a breakthrough show.
Syndicated For one of the few
times on television,
you are able to see two women working
together achieving goals through both
force and brains. This is something
refreshing to see. Also, the show isn't
afraid to take chances: proudly featur-

ing open-mouthed kisses between two
female characters and interracial rela-
tionships.
Though these issues are tackled,
make no mistake, Xena is a series that
is not to be taken seriously. The pro-
gram has been influenced greatly by old
time karate shows films from the seven-
ties. This is definitely evident in fight
scenes where Xena comically is able to
defy gravity doing triple somersaults
through the air. This is yet another ele-
ment that adds to the mystique of the

show.
With the third season premiere slated
for this Saturday, October 4, Xenaites
(as they are faithfully called all over the
planet), are gearing up for a brand new
slate of episodes.
After only two short years, this show
is world-renowned and is still growing
in popularity. Already so popular,
"Xena" hasn't achieved its potential and
will likely keep getting bigger. As Xena
treks into her latest season, this year
might just be gigantic.



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