Category: Dance

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Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company

Serenade/The Proposition is a lively, colorful rumination on the nature of history. The refrain “It could be said that history is…” runs through the piece and asks the question of our connection to history, or lack thereof. Video projections fill an iconic set of movable columns that evoke the architecture of history: the White House, the Parthenon, or the ballroom of an elegant plantation parlor. The spare staging is filled by a cast of fierce dancers in beautifully deconstructed costumes performing flowing movement that assembles into moments of still portrait like postcards from the past. The original score draws from Mozart’s Requiem, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Dixie to create a contemporary, playful, musical collage for cello, piano, and soprano. The piece premiered at the 2008 American Dance Festival, and is now on tour before being seen in New York at the Joyce Theater, the work’s lead commissioner.

Thursday, November 5
Concert Hall 7:30 PM
$40, $30, $15, Five College/GCC/STCC and Youth 17 and under: $15

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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Exhilarating and endlessly inspirational, the extraordinary dancers of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater have dazzled audiences from New York City to China with their thrilling fusion of power, grace, and unparalleled artistry. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater marks its 50th anniversary by bringing African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the Fine Arts Center. The genius of Alvin Ailey forever changed the perception of American dance; the legacy continues in Judith Jamison’s remarkable vision and the extraordinary artistry of the Company’s dancers. Beauty, spirit, hope, and passion: this is the power of Ailey.

Wednesday, May 13
Concert Hall 7:30 pm
$50, $40, $20

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Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in Concert

Bridging tradition and innovation, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company brings the power and elegance of this ancient Chinese art form into the free and dynamic world of contemporary dance. An award winning choreographer, Nai-Ni Chen is blazing a new path for Asian dance heritage in America.

“Nai-Ni Chen is the rare modern dance choreographer who chooses nature as a frequent subject…her impressive young company stood out for a remarkably smooth blend…intensely personal approach to nature”,

-Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times

December 11, 7:30 PM
Concert Hall
$25, $20, $15; Five College students & Youth 17 and under, $15

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Jazz, salsa and a girl rock band

What more could you ever want in the middle of the week? If you don’t know what you’re doing tomorrow night, have no fear; the Fine Arts Center is here! This Wednesday is quite merry! For those of you who don’t know, the Roswell Rudd/Mark Dresser Duo comes to UMass tomorrow night serending audiences with their music brilliance.

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Dresser “may be the most important bassist to emerge since 1980 in jazz or classical music.” This event is held at the Bezanson Recital Hall at 8:15pm. Student tickets cost $5 and general tickets are $10.

However, if that doesn’t suit your mood, why not go to a salsa dance party at the free Community Salsa Party?!? The party’s at Open Square in Holyoke, Wednesday, October 17th from 7-11pm.

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Music will be provided by Combo Sabroso, a Boston-based band that follows in the traditions of Eddie Palmieri and Tito Puente with a mix of jazz and dance rhythms.

AND… yes, there’s more. If you just want to just chill and relax, we have an event for you. Every Wednesday, Asian Arts and Culture presents foreign films from around the world. This week, the film called ‘Linda! Linda! Linda!’ will be screened in the School of Management in room 137 at 7:00 pm.

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Director Nobuhiro Yamashita tells a story of a shy exchange student living in Japan who becomes a vocalist in a girl rock band. The film will be in Japanese with English subtitles. Come and watch ‘Linda! Linda! Linda!’ It’s open and free for the public!

So, there, that’s what’s coming up for just this Wednesday! You can’t be bored and I’ve given you three reasons why.

As always, if you need more information the Fine Arts Center site have heaps and heaps of information all there for your convenience.

I also welcome any comments if you have any! Have a wonderful week! Go Red Sox! I might just have to miss the game with all this is going on!

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Tiempo Libre Pictures!

What a successful kick off event Thursday night. It was the perfect event to welcome students back to campus. The event was presented by the Fine Arts Center and the Office of Programs and Services for ALANA Students. People of all ages and all walks of life came out. The dance lessons at 7pm were four lines deep and we learned several salsa moves. After a little more practice the band Tiempo Libre hit the stage and we were able to put our lessons to the test. Some of the dancers from Boicuas Unidos were really ripping up the dance floor with elaborate salsa moves. Tiempo Libre gave an incendiary performance that created the perfect party atmosphere. Evereyone got in the mood and showed off what they just learned. Were you there? Check out the pictures on FlickR and see if you made it in the photo spread

Tiempo Libre

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Hey, if you feel like already needing a break from work, then come and watch a film called “The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros” on Wednesday September 12th. This hour and a half long coming-of-age film presents a story about a twelve year old boy who develops a crush on a policeman. This film is free and open to the public at the School of Management Room 137 at 7pm. It will be viewed in Tagalog with English subltitles. Come back here daily for more upcoming events!

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DANCE PARTY!

Hello Peeps!

We have some wonderful news for all of you! To kick off the new school year right, we have one suggestion: DANCE PARTY!! The Fine Arts Center crew is proud to announce that we have the Grammy-nominated Tiempo Libre to grace our presence. The festivities start at 7pm for FREE salsa lessons with Boricuas Unidos at the Campus Center Auditorium. Then Tiempo Libre performs at 8pm. SAVE THE DATE (it won’t be hard considering it’s…) : SEPTEMBER 6, Thursday. Did I mention that all this is FREE? I know, I’m shocked as well. So, if you want to get your groove on with some cool live Cuban music then you’re in luck. Be there or be square. I know I’m going. No wants to be a square. 🙂

Check back here for photos from the event and feel free to comment about the fab time you had.