Philadanco, a blend of Philadelphia Dance Company, will perform four works from its repertoire Thursday night in Stewart Theatre.
This dance company invites the public to experience the unique blending of African-based dance with ballet, jazz and modern. It has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
Philadanco is celebrating an astonishing 36th year as a professional company of highly skilled dancers. Philadanco’s dancers come from various parts of the country, as well as Jamaica and South America. Prior to joining Philadanco, most of the dancers worked with professional ballet companies or studied at the Alvin Ailey School known for teaching African dance styles, as well as ballet and modern.
The dance troupe is celebrated for the energy and evident joy of the dancers while performing.
Thursday’s program is comprised of four dances ranging in styles including ballet, hip-hop and African dance. Philadanco’s performance will include its new work “Everything is Everything” — a hip-hop inspired piece set to five songs by artist Lauren Hill.
The other works include two ballets and a modern piece.
Joan Myers Brown, the group’s founder and executive artistic director, recognizes that dance has the ability to be spiritually significant, as well as physically challenging and aesthetically appealing. Therefore, the repertoire of the company reflects spiritual values.
“Gate Keepers,” for example, is a ballet symbolizing soldiers walking toward heaven and aiding the needy. It is a work of celebration and perseverance.
A pre-show discussion with Dr. Chuck Davis will take place at 6:45 p.m. in the Walnut Room of the Talley Student Center. Davis is the founder and artistic director of the African-American Dance Ensemble and the artistic director of DanceAfrica New York and DanceAfrica Chicago.
Philadanco is performing at 8 p.m. in Stewart Theatre. Tickets may be purchased at the Ticket Central office on the second floor of Talley, by calling 919-515-1100 or online at www.ncsu.edu/arts.
Students may purchase tickets for $8, and faculty and staff prices range from $18.50 to $22.50. Tickets for the public are $23-$28 and non-N.C. State students’ tickets are $14.
