OCU’S AMERICAN SPIRIT DANCE COMPANY
HIGHLY ENJOYABLE

By Nancy Condit

OCU’s recent Spring Show in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium by the 140 member American Spirit Dance Company was highly enjoyable. The dance programs at the university prepare their students to make a living in dance, so it’s no surprise that the program spanned 80 years of Broadway style dance, from jazz to tap to lyrical to demi-point ballet.

One of the evening’s highlights was “Sing, Sing, Sing,” with choreography after Bob Fosse, reconceived by Tiffany van der Merwe, composed by Louis Prima. To the beat of the tom toms the dancers gathered together and broke out as the brass cut in. Their figures were cat-like hunches with dropped hands, and they leapt with curved bodies.
The timing was great, as were the variety, content and classic moves.

“Why God Why,” choreographed by Jo Rowan, who is also head of the dance department, was a memorable bare foot ballet. Even though it was placed in Viet Nam, with soldiers parted from the women they had come to love, the U.S. seems to be so involved in war that the green shadows of theatrical lighting for jungle were mentally interchangeable with desert, and the dancers were the same age as some of the soldiers in the Middle East. The contemporary feel to the dance was increased by moves like the lift of one soldier’s partner by his knees and hands. There was another good lift as the other soldier lifted his partner up while she extended her legs in a straight up split.

The jazz “Change of Fate,” choreographed by Kari Shaw, music by Kathrin de Boer, Ricky Fabulous, and D. J. Modest, was a constantly moving very rhythmic dance.

The evening led off with the enjoyable tap “Where’s My Gal?,” choreographed by Patricia Oplotnik, music by Handerson, Lewis and Young. “Strut,” with choreography by Brian Marcum, composed by Dioguardia, Lambert and Wells, was a great pulsing music video number in good fun with the women in black dresses, and the master of ceremonies in satin purple pants, lime green shirt, and a top hat with a plume.

“Steppin’ Out with My Baby,” choreographed by Diana Brooks, and composed by Irving Berlin, followed singer Tony Bennett’s lead. The cool tap number effectively used small, rapid steps. The lyrical “Georgia” – “Georgia on My Mind,” choreographed by Kelli Stevens, composed by M. Carmichael and S. Gorreli, was an effective mood dance that drew the audience into it. The dancers wore earth-toned full floor length skirts.

Particularly enjoyable was the humor in two dances. As much as this reviewer dislikes women shown as dingbats, and as far back as it sets the perception of women, the “Bushel and a Peck,” choreographed by Kelli Stevens, composed by F. Loesser, tap number with “Miss Adelaide’s Hot Hot Hot Hot Chickies,” dressed in bright yellow and feather head dresses, was funny. The Busby Berkeley style formations and the kick line was accented with poses of angled knees, and should come in useful in the continual reinvention of past musicals – it’s bread and butter. Truly funny was “Fit as a Fiddle,” choreographed by Patricia Oplotnik, composed by Huffman, Goodfest and Freed. The hot tap number was performed in ‘80’s style workout leotards, including spats on the women, in fluorescent pastels.

The costumes, by Melanie Shelley, were colorful, playful, and varied.

IAO TO HOLD 4TH ANNUAL
MONEY TALK$, ART WALKS
Saturday, March 12th, 7-10 pm

IAO' fundraiser Money Talks, Art Walks will be held from 7-10 pm at the IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan.

The fast-paced random drawing give people the opportunity to add affordable art to their collections. 
Two hundred works on paper and 3 D -- paper, etc., created by emerging, mid-career and established
Oklahoma artists will be up in the gallery.  All the works are avail for $50 to $100.

Here’s the catch: all of the artwork will be hung with no title information and the artist of each piece will be identified only after that work has been sold; all the artwork is available for essentially the same price, and patrons can acquire work only through the ‘luck of the draw.’
Admission to the fundraising event is $10, with hors d’oeurves provided by Jazmo'z Bourbon St. Cafe and sweets provided by 105degrees. Proceeds from the event support year-round programming at Individual Artists of Oklahoma.
From IAO sources

PRINTMAKET JENNIFER LYNCH
TO GIVE TALK AT
[ARTSPACE] AT UNTITLED
THIS EVENING

CORRECTION: UNTITLED'S HOURS 10 - 5 TUES. - FRI.
AND 10 - 4 SATURDAY
GALLERY ADMISSION - FREE

Solar plate etchings by

Jennifer Lynch 

The [Press] at Untitled will present an artist talk, and meet and greet with visiting New Mexico artist Jennifer Lynch on March 10th at 6 pm. A chemical free alternative to traditional etching and relief printing,  solar plate etching uses a light sensitive polymer surface on a steel backing, water and ultra-violet light as modes for creating traditional intaglio or relief prints. Lynch will give insight into the unique, non-toxic printmaking processes she uses to create her dynamic work. The artist talk is open to the public and admission is free.

In addition, Lynch is leading a three-day Solar Plate Etching workshop in the [Press] at Untitled March 11 - 13, 9am - 5.  Her work is on display in [Artspace] at Untitled's current exhibition The Print.  The three-day workshop is $350 plus an $80 materials fee. Enrollment is open and space is limited.

The Print exhibit, from Untitled's permanent collection, including photograps from the recently acquired Photographic Society of America, is up through this Saturday, March 12th.  Admission is free, and gallery hours are 10 - 5 Tuesday through Friday, and 10 to 4 Saturday. 

For more information about [Press] at Untitled programming or to register for the Solar Plate Etching workshop, call 405.815.9995 or email press@artspaceatuntitled.org.

From [Artspace] at Untitled sources, image provided



UNTITLED SHOWING THE PRINT

THROUGH SATURDAY

"King of Birds" digital pigment print photograph

by Kahn & Selesnick, 2008. Photo c. by Nancy Condit

[Artspace} at Untitled continues its show The Print through this Saturday, March 12, from its collection of prints, both from plate prints to digital process prints, and prints from the recently acquired Photographic Society of America’s collection of nearly 5,000 prints.

Left, "Untitled," ca. l950's, Bramoil,

right, "Othello," 1949, color pigment,

both by William Mortenson

Photo c. by Nancy Condit

The exhibit includes prints from Robert Rauschenburg to Kiki Smith and a wide variety of processes, including state of the art digital pigment prints by Kahn & Selesnick and Jason Middlebrook.

The prints included those which used to be created by transferring ink from a matrix or through a prepared screen to a sheet of paper or other material, resulting in an impression, to today’s prints that include the rise of “digital” printing techniques, which is transforming the medium and the use of new materials for prints, writes Jon Burris, executive director.

This show sets the tone for Untitled’s programming for the coming year – works on paper, primarily printmaking and photography with a variety of workshops, lectures and exhibits.

The [Press] at Untitled was created by [Artspace] at Untitled’s founder, Laura Warriner, who is also a printmaker.  On the second floor of the building is a 4,000 square foot studio, fully equipped to handle production for a variety of printmaking processes and to accommodate students and visiting artists.

Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10 to 6, and Saturday 10 to 4. The address is

1 N.W. 3^rd Street

.

From [Artspace] at Untitled sources.  Photos taken by and c. by Nancy Condit

 



                                         Tap Dancer Debbi Allen to be honored by OCU

OCU TO HONOR TAP DANCER,

AMERICAN SPIRIT DANCERS

TO PERFORM

Tap dancer Debbi Dee will be honored by Oklahoma City University as a Living Treasure in American Dance Award during its upcoming Spring Show.  The award has been given by the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management for the past several years. 

OCU’s American Spirit Dance Company will present its annual Spring Show at 8 pm March 10, and 11, and on March 12 at 2 pm and 8 pm.  The 140 member company will celebrate American dance from Hollywood to Broadway in the high-energy revue.  Dee will be honored during the March 12 performance.  The writer of this blog believes the award will be presented at 8 pm, but was unable to confirm it before posting.

“Debbi Dee and I have been on tour together, so I have known her for many years and have shared both the stage and the studio with her,” said OCU dance department chair Jo Rowan.  “She speaks to the audience through her tap shoes with clarity and dynamics and she holds the audience with the same charisma that she brings to her tap classes.”

Dee is often referred to as a “teacher’s teacher” because of her reputation as a technician and dynamic stylist.  The “Debbi Dee Tap Intensive” is recognized by Dance Teacher as a higher education course for teachers.  Dee has performed professionally as a soloist on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, in Las Vegas and at USO shows, as well as on television and in movies.

Dee is a protégé of Henry LeTang and cherishes working side by side with him.

Spring Show tickets are $20.  To purchase tickets call 208.5227.

From OCU

                    "Revelations" may or may not be done in OKC.  Taken from the web

BLAC TO PRESENT AILEY II

BLAC, Black Liberated Arts Center, will present Ailey II, an Alvin Ailey dance company, in performance at 8 pm, Saturday, March 26 at the newly renovated Douglass High School, 900 N. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Tickets are $30 general admission, and $60 for reserved seating and the VIP reception.  For group, senior and student discounts contact BLAC, Inc. at 524.3800. Ticket outlets are Capitol Square Station, Charlie’s Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Store, Hopkins Haircare, KM66, Learning Tree Toy Store, and BLAC, Inc.

From BLAC

OKC BALLET TO PRESENT

MOZART’S REQUIUM

The world premiere of Mozart’s Requiem ballet, choreographed by artistic director Robert Mills, with the Canterbury Choral Society and the OKC Philharmonic – under the direction of Dr. Randi Von Ellfeson, will be presented at 8 pm Saturday, March 26, and at 2 pm, Sunday March 27 at the Civic Center Music Hall. The music is Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D Minor.  A costume display and lecture will be held at 7 pm before the Saturday performance, and a young people’s fun and informative guide to ballet at 1 pm before the Sunday performance.  Opening the program will be “Paquita Grand pas Classique,” choreography by Petipa, and composers including Minkus, Dringo, and Delibes.

Tickets are from $29 to $54, and can be purchased online at http://www.okcballet.com/,  or by calling  848.TOES, or 297.2264.

From OKC Ballet

UCO’S KALIEDOSCOPE DANCERS

TO PERFORM

The UCO Kaleidoscope Dancers will partner with other departments, programs and professors to present multidisciplinary concerts at 7:30 pm, Thursday through Saturday, March 24^th and 26^th.  The company is a mix of modern, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and tap dance.  The concerts will be at Mitchell Hall.  Ticket information was not available at the time of posting.

From UCO

                         Dancing 100 foot pecan trees in winter in Les and Pat Imboden's

100 year old pecan grove in Stillwater

GARDENING TO PREVENT HUNGER

AT THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK

WITH BRUCE EDWARDS

Bruce Edwards, far left, in the Regional Food Bank

greenhouse. 

By Nancy Condit

Bruce Edwards, Urban Harvest Director at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, runs an aquaponics system in which he raises tilapia in nine months, and about 850 heads of lettuce and herbs like basil in six weeks for children’s feeding programs, like the Kids Café, that serves after school programs.  “We still have our worm farm which produces worm castings which we use in the garden.  He’s just darn cute.  The kids like him when he comes to visit.

The Food Bank also offers, in the spring, low cost classes in basic gardening in the spring, starting in February.  Contact Edwards at bedwards@regionalfoodbank.org for more information.  Tours can be arranged by emailing bedwards@regionalfoodbank.org.


WATER GARDEN SOCIETY OF

OKLAHOMA POND TOUR

Converted swimming pool water garden

on a previous WGSO tour. Photo c. by Nancy Condit

By Nancy Condit

The annual free tour of some of the most beautiful water gardens in central Oklahoma  will be held at the end of June this year to avoid some of July’s heat. Some are shaded, some are not, some are beginning gardens, others are advanced, and, occasionally, one is a converted swimming pool with mature planting.  Each of these gardens is hosted by the owners and creators.  This is an excellent tour for the person who wants ideas, or the person who likes to admire others’ gardens.  Books laying out the tour – with pictures -- are usually on sale in advance for about $3 at garden centers like TLC.  Look for it Saturday, July 25^th and Sunday, June 26^th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  About 20 gardens are usually included in the tour sponsored by the Water garden Society of Oklahoma.  Check the website, www.wgso.org  for more info.



   Crocus in February, photo by Nancy Condit

Text and contents c. by Nancy Condit



CALENDAR: POETRY, MIDORI, BRIGHTMUSIC

POET CAROL HAMILTON TO APPEAR

Thursday, March 3, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm – Past Oklahoma poet laureate Carol Hamilton will read, with Sandra Soli, Ken Hada, and Nathan Brown in the Downtown Library.  The event is free and open to the public.  Please RSVP at 232.3382.

Friday, March 4, 7 pm the panel will also read at the H.B. Atkinson Theatre, Rose State College, featuring Trixie Walther, Kristin Hahn, Noelie Burr, with the Quartet as special guests, including Carol Sennhenn, Sarah Webb, Dena Madole and Carol Hamilton.

Funday, March 27 at 2 pm Carol will read her chapbook UMBERTO ECO LOST HIS FUN, with an open reading included at 50 Penn Place.

MIDORI TO GIVE MASTER CLASS

On Saturday, March 5 at 10 am, in the Petree Recital Hall on the OCU campus, violinist Midori will present a master class as part of the OKC Orchestra League’s “Master Classes with the Artists,” in conjunction with the OKC Philharmonic.  The concert is open to the public free of charge.  The three violinists chosen are Angelica Pereira, OCU, age 21, Sibelius Violin Concerto, lst Movement; Elizabeth Fairchild, SNU, age 21, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4, 1^st Movement; and Marat Gagullim, OU, age 27, Brahams’ Sonata for Violin and Piano op. 78 in G Major, lst Movement.

BRIGHTMUSIC TO FEATURE GUEST DUO PIANISTS

On Monday, March 7 and Tuesday, March 8 guest duo pianists Ning An and Gloria Chien will present an evening of “German Romanticism” in honor of the late Mae Ruth Swanson, who was the driving force behind the now disbanded Civic Music Association.  Her friends have made this concert possible.

The program is Schubert’s Fantasy in F Minor, op. 203, D.940 for four-hand piano, Brahms’ Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major, op. 44 for piano, violin, viola and cello.  Both concerts are free.  Monday’s performance is at Fee Theater at Casady School, 9500 N. Pennsylvania Avenue , and Tuesday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 127 N.W. 7^th Street..

Compiled by Nancy Condit