Of special historical interest are excerpts from "Negro Spirituals," choreographed by the early modern dance pioneer Helen Tamiris, restaged at Emory by faculty member Anna Leo and performed by the Emory Dance Company.
Tamiris originally choreographed "Negro Spirituals" between 1928 and 1941. The eight dances were restaged at the School of the Performing Arts in New York City in 1965 and were subsequently recorded through a system of movement notation called Labanotation by Lucy Venable in 1967. That notation has enabled them to be accurately restaged, studied and performed, preserving their role in modern dance history. Excerpts that will be presented include "Go Down Moses," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Git on Board, Li'l Chillen," "Crucifixion," "Joshua Fit de Battle of Jericho" and "When the Saints Go Marchin' In." The spirit of the dances ranges from sorrow to total elation. The musical score, arranged by Genevieve Pitot, will be performed by vocalists Uzee Brown and Laura English-Robinson, accompanied by Emory Dance program pianist David Decaminada.
Latham's new ballet, "Concerti No. 1," will be performed by six classically trained members of the Emory Dance Company. With music by Luigi Boccherini, the dance is a series of playful patterns that reflect and resist the alternately quick and slow structure of the musical score.
Edwards' "Celldom Scene," a large modern work in collaboration with 14 dancers, evolved from an improvisation process utilizing solo dance phrases created by the dancers. Edwards worked in conjunction with husband-composer Ralph Edwards to compose a rich, multi-faceted musical score for the dance.
The act of touching, and the subsequent range of responses that result, is the choreographic fuel for "Losing Touch," a new work directed by faculty member Teague. Set to music by Friends of Dean Martinez, the sensitive octet explores the layers of meaning and intent embedded in the simple acts of touching one another, the earth and finally, each other's lives.
While in Atlanta in September, McGinley set a dramatic, new dance for the Emory Dance Company. "When She was Bad, She was Horrid"-- an episodic work set to music by Peggy Lee, the Rolling Stones and an original musical section by Winston Damon--addresses different societal perceptions of women and the multitude of ways they respond to different roles. McGinley has produced numerous choreographic works in the Chicago area that have been met with critical acclaim. A 1990 graduate of Emory College with a major in art history and a minor in dance, McGinley earned a graduate degree in dance from Ohio State University in 1992. She performs professionally in Chicago with Mordine & Company Dance Theatre and teaches dance at Columbia College.
Tickets for "Shadowing the Ground" are $7 general admission; $6 Emory faculty/staff, senior citizens and artists; and $5 for students with ID. For information, call 727-6187.
-- Joyce Bell