"Each time we return to Paonia we are able to expand our program, and each time we learn how essential it is for us to work together to share the value and importance of dance,” says Amanda Benzin, a graduate student in dance and tour director for the past two years.
Back by popular demand, the University of Colorado Boulder’s Contemporary Dance Works returns to Paonia to lead dance outreach workshops in May and for a public performance on Thursday, May 12.
The performance, titled “Diversiform: An Evening of Dance," will be held at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. The touring company, consisting of CU-Boulder graduate dance students, will showcase modern, ballet, rhythm tap, step, contemporary Afro-Cuban and Brazilian dances. Through these genres, dancers will explore partner work, rhythm, storytelling, mythology, relationships, technology, improvisation, cultural roots, identity and community.
The company, which goes on tour each May to Colorado communities underserved by the arts, also will teach dance workshops at area schools and offer community dance classes for children, adults and teachers from May 9 to 14 at the center, 228 Grand Ave.
“It is always a deeply rewarding experience that reminds us why we do what we do.”Amanda Benzin, a graduate student in dance and tour director for the past two years, said partnering with a community committed to the arts has allowed the touring company to share what they have learned at CU-Boulder.
“Each time we return to Paonia we are able to expand our program, and each time we learn how essential it is for us to work together to share the value and importance of dance,” said Benzin. “It is always a deeply rewarding experience that reminds us why we do what we do.”
The program was started 26 years ago to bring dance to areas of the state with limited access to the arts, to build awareness of dance as an art form, and to provide additional performance venues for dance students, said Nada Diachenko, CU Contemporary Dance Works’ founder and advisor.
“The dancers are powerful advocates for the university and for the art of dance,” said Diachenko.
In the past, Dance Works went on multi-city tours as part of CU This Summer, frequently in coordination with the CU Presidents visits to Colorado communities. Now, Dance Works focuses on weeklong residencies in a select area during the month of May, returning to that area for three to five years to build relationships and strengthen community partnerships. The residency was based in Trinidad for five years; this will be the third year that Dance Works partners with Paonia community organizations.
The program is partially funded through a grant from the CU-Boulder Office for Outreach and Engagement, which supports outreach projects that engage faculty research, teaching or creative work in the community.
Suggested donation for the 8 p.m. performance is $5, which will be collected at the door. All proceeds will benefit the center’s Children’s Art Program. To find out more about the performance or the community classes, visit Blue Sage Center for the Arts or contact Spencer Lightfoot at Blue Sage.
To find out more about the Contemporary Dance Works outreach program contact CU-Boulder's Department of Theatre and Dance: Peg Posnick, outreach coordinator, thdnoutreach@colorado.edu; Amanda Benzin, tour director, amanda.benzin@colorado.edu; and Bonnie Cox, graduate student and touring company member, bonnie.cox@colorado.edu.
To find out more about Office for Outreach and Engagement activities, contact Sue Postema Scheeres, 303-492-3949 (office), 303-478-4843 (cell), susan.scheeres@colorado.edu.
April 27, 2016