Happendance News: Winter 2010
- Winter Concert 2010: The Body
- ~
- Happendance Introduces First Friday Performances
- ~
- Zumba Party
- ~
- Congrats to fundraiser contest winners!
- ~
- Volunteers Needed
- ~
- Thank you to donors
Winter Concert 2010: The Body
"The Body" is the focus and title of the 2010 Happendance Winter Concert, co-directed by Missy Lilje and Matt Bebermeyer and featuring the Happendance professional dancers and the pre-professional dancers of Happendance 2. The show will include eight original pieces of contemporary dance by five local choreographers including Missy Lilje, Matt Bebermeyer, Angela Rich, Gregory M. George and Lisa Whiting-Dobson. In addition, guest choreographers Leanne Schmidt of New York City and Jennifer Morley of Philadelphia have contributed two new works to this concert.“The Body” offers a powerful exploration of the life and capacity of the human body -- as vehicle, symbol, communication device, manifestation of mind and soul – through the skilled athleticism and creative expression of Happendance’s unique troupe of dancers.
Highlights of “The Body” include an evocative mix of choreography:
- A solo by Jennifer Morley, choreographed especially for Matt Bebermeyer, is spunky and fun, offering reminiscence of old comic book heroics, while Greg George’s duet for Andrew Amos and Patty Villanueva is a pleasing display of line and technique.
- Leanne Schmidt, artistic director of Leanne Schmidt and Company, brings a New York City aesthetic down home to Lansing. Her new work, “Chew it Up, Spit it Out” considers people confronting an aspect of themselves that they don’t want to acknowledge.
- “Bodies in Motion, The World in Motion”, collaboratively created by Missy Lilje and the dancers to the music of Peter Jones, features the entire cast in a depiction of the bustling energy of a densely populated area, like a city street during rush hour. A collection of bodies that rush back and forth becomes the backdrop to showcase moments of individual expression. “In search of…”, also choreographed by Missy Lilje, is a quintet that investigates the way the body can manifest state of mind and intention.
- Lisa Whiting-Dobson collaborates with Missy Lilje and the dancers of Happendance 2 to create an intense, yet hopeful dance that examines the relationship between the media and the body image of teen-aged women. It is sure to be a provocative topic for anyone who has ever looked in a mirror and was less than happy with the view.
- In “Lightening Flashes”, choreographer Angela Rich uses the music of Linkin Park to transform the dancers’ bodies into symbols, conveying the rhythms, sounds and movements of a thunder storm.
- Matt Bebermeyer takes a look at themes of childhood playfulness in contrast with adult sensuality in his piece for the Happendance professionals and the senior level dancers of Happendance 2. In addition, he has also choreographed a trio for three women that celebrates the body with a strong, sassy element.
Happendance is Michigan’s longest continually-running dance company, and with good reason. Year after year, for 34 years, it consistently offers up original and dynamic concerts full of the magic of dance and theater. The winter may be cold, but Happendance is HOT! Come see local professional dance at its best! Tickets now available online: $15 general admission, $12 students and seniors.
Also, join us immediately after Saturday's performance for "Body & Sole: an afterglow benefit for Happendance", conveniently located at Hannah Center. Tickets: $25 adults (21 & over), $10 youth (under 21). Available online or at the door (cash/check only).
TopHappendance Introduces First Friday Performances
In order to further its mission to "broaden the accessibility of dance to a diverse community", Happendance has added "First Friday" performances to its line-up this year. "First Friday" shows are informal performances hosted at Happendance studio on the first Friday of every month. These community dance events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments are served and all money donated goes directly to the performing artists. Past events have featured Happendance 2, Chicago-based dancer Ayako Kato, an open improv jam, and a preview of "The Body".
Upcoming "First Friday" performances:
April 2, 8:00pm: “Nightmares of a Serial Killer”, an evening of original choreography by Andrew Amos exploring themes of abnormal psychology. **Not suitable for young audiences.**
May 7, 8:00pm: Jennifer Morley, a dynamic choreographer from Philadelphia, presents an evening of original modern dances.
TopZumba Party
Ditch the Work-out, Join the Party!!
Do you love Zumba? Or have you always wanted to try it? Well then join the members of the Happendance Professional Company for a Zumba Party! Zumba fitness is a cardio-dance class that is perfect for all experience levels. The event starts with one hour of Zumba fitness, taught by Happendance's certified Zumba instructors, followed by refreshments and socializing to complete your night out.
Zumba workouts fuse Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Happendance's experienced and certified Zumba instructors will offer a workout that will be a blast and leave you feeling great!
Ages 18 and up welcome! Admission is $10 per person.
To preregister call (517) 333-3528 or register online.
TopCongrats to fundraiser contest winners!
Congratulations to the winners of this year's Little Caesars pizza fundraiser contest:
First place -- Cate Waters and family
Second place -- Bailey and the Hosford/Shampo family
The first place prize was a term of free tuition for one class and second place was 50% off for one class for a 9-week term. Of course, the real winner is Happendance!
The profit for the fundraiser (including donations) was $1,407.50. Part of the money raised is devoted to the purchase of improved audio/visual equipment for the school (most of the equipment currently in use is wearing out, having been purchased in 1993). Thanks to the fundraiser, Happendance has recently purchased a flat screen TV for better viewing of dance DVDs and dance concert playback. Plans are also in the works to replace the out-of-date VHS video camera with a DVD camera. Additionally, two new netbooks have been purchased -- one for each studio. The new computers allow teachers to more easily coordinate play lists for their classes, saving valuable time in the process of teaching and learning.
TopVolunteers needed
Have fun, connect with your community, and support Happendance through the many upcoming volunteer activities:
* First Friday Performances -- refreshments needed for about 40 people
* Zumba Party registration - Friday, February 19th, 7:00pm report time
* Winter Concert ushers - Friday, March 5th and Saturday March 6th - 7:30 pm report time
* Winter Concert stage strikers - Saturday, March 6th - report time directly after the final performance, approximately 9:30pm
* Winter Concert Afterglow volunteers - Saturday, March 6th, 9:00-11:30pm
* Spring Concert ushers - Saturday, May 22
If you are able to help with any of the above, please contact the Happendance office at 517.333.3528 or email info@happendance.org.
TopHappendance Donors in the Past 12 Months (as of December 9)
| Angels ($1,000 and over) | |
| Elizabeth Anderson | Ruth & Dan Stump |
| Jim & Ruth Linnemann | Janet Welch & Ben Hare |
| Producer ($500-999) | |
| Adams Outdoor Advertising | Kerri Waters |
| Alison Wagner | |
| Benefactor ($250-499) | |
| James Bebermeyer | Douglas & Lois Crawford |
| Sarah & Morton Charnley | Meridian Screen Print |
| Andrea Crawford | |
| Patron ($100-249) | |
| Michelle & John Carlson | Jean & Hugh McManus |
| Sharon Castle & Chris DeWitt | Mary McKinney Schmidt |
| Nancy Dixon | Tony & Florence Schrauben |
| Amy & Dennis Eagle | Mark & Phyllis Schroder |
| Judith Evans | Sir Pizza On the Grand |
| Heather Glidden & Matt Wilson | Allison Walacavage |
| Friend of Happendance | Jennifer Yocum |
| Christi & Charlie McLravy | Maureen & Jim Zalba |
| Sustaining($50-99) | |
| Mary Christine Bastow & Richard Burke | Andrea Larkin |
| Anna Bratta | Erik & Kelly Larson |
| Kathleen Spencer Campbell | Laura Panganis |
| Tim & Patricia Donal | Susan & James Powers |
| Rosy Goacher | Michael & Deborah Rogell |
| David & Monika Griffith | Michele Root-Bernstein |
| Michael & Deborah Harrison | Sally Spedoske |
| Susan & Richard Hill | Karen & Raymond Sprecher |
| Al & Trish Kochka | Lisa & Tom Dobson |
| Basic Support, Students/Seniors | |
| Joanne Bass | Steve Parmalee |
| Paula Batch | W. Spencer Parshall |
| James & Susan Bence | Elischa Rensing-Zimmerman |
| Joyce & Jim Bischoff | Dana & Myrton Riggs |
| Gordon Boardman | Jessica Shank & Shane Stierley |
| Cancun Mexican Grill | Sharon Sigler |
| Dr. Henry & Terrie Fielden-Barry | Bryan & Kathleen Smith |
| Patricia Hanley | Thomas & Pamela Tollstam |
| Wendy Hart | Kristine Tuma |
| Rachel & David Mackson | Susan Turney |
| Susanna Michaels | Marcus & Elizabeth Wasilevich |
| Laurie & Thomas Mitchell | Chris Worland & Steve Esquith |
| William & Sharon Myers | Burton A. Zipser |
| Steve Panganis | |