By Matthew Makowski
Fall Arts Celebration at Grand Valley State University will transcend the traditional dance floor and fly into the sky when Aerial Dance Chicago (ADC) presents a new world of athleticism coupled with an elegant showcase of dancing in the air.
“Celebrating Originality: Defying Gravity with Aerial Dance Chicago” will take place Monday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m., in Louis Armstrong Theatre, located in the Thomas J. and Marcia J. Center for Performing Arts on the Allendale Campus. The performance will be preceded by a carillon concert on the Cook Carillon Tower at 7:10 p.m. featuring Julianne Vanden Wyngaard, university carilloneur, and followed by a reception.
A pioneer and an international leader in aerial dance, ADC is dedicated to presenting original choreography and performance in the field. The ensemble launches itself into the creative possibilities found in a vertical realm.
“Aerial dance has evolved into a highly sophisticated and expressive art form, far beyond its origins in acrobatics and circus-based aerial arts,” said Danny Phipps, chair of the Music, Theater and Dance Department. “It is a visually stunning and innovative approach to modern dance that is a must see for anyone who loves dance.”
During the company’s Fall Arts Celebration performance, ADC will incorporate a variety of apparatus, including suspended fabrics, bungee cords, hoops, swings and ropes.
Founded in 1999, ADC is currently the only dance company in the Chicago region dedicated to choreography and performance in the field of aerial dance. In 2014, ADC opened Chicago’s first dance center dedicated to work in aerial dance.
“While there are more and more such companies developing nationwide, performances such as this are mostly centered in larger cities and urban environments,” said Phipps. “This will be a unique opportunity for everyone who attends Fall Arts Celebration.”
For more information about Fall Arts Celebration, visit gvsu.edu/fallarts.
