Kennedy Theatre - Spring Footholds - PAGE 1 OF 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 9, 2013

Kennedy Theatre Presents Spring Footholds Dance Concert Student Choreographers Debut a Wide Variety of New Dance The University of Hawaii at Mnoa Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present its Spring 2013 installment of the departments Footholds series, showcasing new choreography by its graduate and undergraduate dance students. This multidimensional concert brings together dance students, choreographers, technicians, and designers to create a concert that demonstrates the breadth of the departments training. The program will be performed at the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre Apr. 24 - 27 at 8 p.m., and Apr. 28 at 2 p.m. A post-show discussion will follow the performance on Friday, Apr. 26. The evening will center around the capstone projects of graduating seniors Sami L.A. Akuna, Rashida Jewel Vennie, and Kent Shinomae; their pieces are representative of the wide variety of work in the concert. Shinomaes piece, Driven, combines modern dance technique with the pulsing rhythms of EDM (electronic dance music), providing a visceral sense of acceleration for the viewer. Vennies The Importance of Choice uses dance to address social and personal concerns and incorporates dance set to spoken-word poetry. Akuna also addresses

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political topics in his piece, which is influenced by Japanese avant-garde butoh movement and features four vignettes (The Calm, The Storm, The Light, and The Dark) exploring the history and effects of nuclear warfare. The concert will also feature new choreography rooted in classical techniques and themes. Devon Izumigawas Star Sign will present a new work that fuses Mongolian folk and classical Chinese dance techniques. Lei Ishikawas piece is a combination of traditional and new choreography set to Okinawan folks songs that date back to the 1800s; it expresses the excitement of flirting with someone in the moonlight. Malia Wilds dance explores themes from folklore surrounding the Japanese goddesses Marishiten and Ameterasu in Ascension. The performance will feature nine pieces that demonstrate the departments dedication to both traditional and contemporary work. We encourage our students to be diverse thinkers and to explore in their choreography topics that are of interest to them, says dance program Director Gregg Lizenbery, who is coordinating and directing the concert. This collection demonstrates the depth and breadth of their interests. Tickets for Spring Footholds are available online at etickethawaii.com, by phone at (808) 944-2697, at participating outlets, and at the Kennedy Theatre box office. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours on performance dates. Prices are $16 for general admission; $15 for seniors / military / UH faculty and staff; $13 for UHAA members and non-UHM students; and $5 for UHM students with a validated Spring 2013 UHM photo ID. All service fees are included in ticket prices. For more information, please visit hawaii.edu/kennedy or call the theatre at (808) 956-7655. For disability access, please call the theatre.

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EVENT: PRESENTED BY: WHEN:

Spring Footholds UHM Department of Theatre and Dance Apr. 24, 25, 26*, and 27 at 8 p.m. Apr. 28 at 2 p.m. * Free post-show discussion on Apr. 26 UHMs Kennedy Theatre - Earle Ernst Lab Theatre 1770 East-West Road, Honolulu $16 general admission $15 seniors / military / UH Faculty and staff $13 UHAA members and non-UHM students $5 UHM students with validated Spring 2013 UHM photo ID All service fees are included in ticket price.

WHERE:

TICKET PRICES:

PURCHASE INFO: Tickets are available online at etickethawaii.com, by phone at

(808) 944-2697, at participating outlets, and at the Kennedy Theatre box office. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours on performance dates.

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