ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona’s Ivyside Dance Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 and 26 in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts on campus.
Everett Perry-Johnson, the ensemble's new director, will present three original works in the performance. The first, "We’ve Reached an Impasse," delves into complicated relationships and whether they truly can be mended or simply abandoned. The second, "Shades," is a simple, yet elegant, study of shape, line and the power of stillness. The third, "aihtifal almar’a" ("Celebration of Women"), features Perry-Johnson’s contemporary fusion style of movement in a fun and upbeat piece filled with Moroccan influences, colors and fashion.
Veteran choreographer and faculty member KT Huckabee will present her classic work "Who Won the Human Race," an innovative piece that explores the various time periods when America was at war. This piece, originally created in 1998, will be set on new dancers with an additional fourth section in response to America’s current "internal" war. Huckabee also will feature a new tap piece exploring the concepts of rhythmic phrasing, crossing and full-body movement.
Returning faculty member Bethany Miller will showcase a new work on the exploration of anxiety and the difference between the internal experience and felt sense of emotion versus what individuals project on the outside to others — showing only what they feel is appropriate or safe for others to witness.
Tickets are $5 for Penn State Altoona students and $7 for general admission. Children under age 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and before and during all performances. For more information, call the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts at 814-949-5452.