2004 ARCHIVE

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Dance Force Productions
Too Darn Hot
Choreographers: Robin & Jene' Walker
Dancers: Krissy Barcenas, Thomas Bridges, Kimberly Corbett, Jerry Foote, Amanda Gamel, Donnie Johnson, Kenneth Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Nick Nesmith (Fri), David Sanchez, Dori Santos, Alana Smith, Lisa Streck*, Jene' Walker (Sat), Robin Walker, Michelle Warren
Music:  Too Darn Hot (from Kiss Me Kate soundtrack, mixed by Jene' Walker)

What do you get when you combine inspiration from the 40's, some "dandy" threads, a wallop of hip - hop, then heat it all up with a summer day in Houston? You betcha...get ready to sweat!!
*alternate dancer
 
Houston Hepcats
Trankie Doo, King Porter Stomp
Choreographers: Carnell Pipkin, Austin Dryer
Dancers: Stephen Jean, Danielle Eley, Jason Esparza, Katie Wood

"Trankie Doo" was choreographed by swing enthusiasts in the 1990's and has spread around the nation as a swing line dance.  The moves were originally performed by a vaudeville actress named "Trankie Doo" who would always exit the stage doing a funny dance move.  Those moves, reconstructed from vintage movie clips of Ms. Doo, comprise this playful piece.

King Porter Stomp was one of the first original Lindy Hop dances choreographed by Houston's very own Carnell Pipkin, 3-time National Champion of the Classic Division at the American Lindy Hop Championships.  The moves in this piece were reconstructed from vintage movie clips as well as training with the lindy hop legend himself, Frankie Manning.  The solos in the piece, contributed by Austin Dryer, represent a more modern and stylized interpretation of lindy hop.

 
Uptown Street Dance Company
X-Dancing
Choreographers: Alex and Victoria Arizpe
Dancers: Ashley Cole, Ray Dones, Tina Felkai, Abraham Garcia, Kelly Gwyn, Taryn Josey, Kristie Kiser, Shawn Lester, Raymond Mudlong, Martha Perdomo, Lulu Pierson, Jerry Lee Randall, John Henry Reid*, Andre Silva*, Sara Smith, Brittany Wallis, Fiona Wolstenholme
Music: Shakira – “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira, “Dirty” by Christina Aguilera, “Without Me” by Eminem, “Slave” by Brittany Spears, “Dirty Pop” by N’Sync, “Cup of Life” by Rickie Martin
X-dancing (extreme dancing) combines the styles of hip hop, jazz, urban, house, techno, pop locking and break dancing.
* Guest artists Andre Silva and John Henry Reid perform courtesy of the Texas Ballet Theater
 
Grupo Cafu Capoeira
Liberdade
Choreographer: Mestre Cafu
Dancers: Nick Alvarado, Eric Anthamatten, Mestre Cafu, Alfonso Garrido, Robert Huerta, Jorge Maldonado, Samiel Martinez, Yvonne Medina, Sylvia Martinez, Lecca and Leomar Mendez, Angel Siy
 
 

Capoeira, also known as a freedom dance, is an Afro-Brazilian art form that was created over 500 years ago by the African slaves living in Brazil as a means of freedom. It is an art that develops strength, grace, and confidence; a discipline that combines elements of self-defense, dance, music, acrobatics, and technique; and a game that requires focus, commitment, constant movement and interaction.  Maculelê, also developed by African slaves in Brazil, is a highly energetic dance with sticks.
 
Shawn Welling’s Planet Funk
Electric Light Circus
Choreographers: Jason Anderson, Shawn Welling, Tesia Truitt
Dancers: Elizabeth Allbright*, Vanessa Archer*, Kelcy Brensdel, Satasha Davis*, Nedra Dotson, Patrick Garrett*, Cara Guy, Toni Harris, Liz Hewett, Mario Jaramillo*, Lori Mallini, Joel Martinez, Genesa Miller, Amanda Scogins, Lindsay Slott, Tesia Truitt, Kate Watson*, Shawn Welling
Music: Van Helsing Theme, “Movin' On Up” from The Jefferson's, “You Ain't Right” by Janet Jackson, “Tear It UP” by Juvenille, “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera, “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago, “I'm Really Hot” by Missy Elliot, “Take California” by Propellerheads
Universal styles in urban jazz, funk, hip hop & soul.
*alternate dancers
 
Urban Souls Dance Company
Makes me wanna holler
Choreographer and Dancer: Harrison Guy
Music: “Givin' Up” by Donny Hathaway

For every hill that I climb. I see a thousand more I have to get over. Stress is eating away at my patience. I try to resolve my problems by thinking of better days that lie ahead. But the screams inside of me will not silence. The screams inside of me will not silence.....
 
 
Del Espadin Baile Español featuring Gabriella "La Tempestad”
Corazon Gitano
Choreographers: Maria Del Espadin and Gabriella "La Tempestad"
Dancers: Gabriella "La Tempestad," Mandy de Leon, Irma Laucirica, Vinona Malaguilla, Angela Wendeborn
Musicians: live music by Jorge Gracia, “La Liebre” by Las Corraleras de Lebrija
Music: Sevillana, Solea

 

Sevillana - Originally a folk dance of Seville, Spain that has been integrated into Flamenco repertoire.  Choreographed by Maria Del Espadin. 
Solea - In contrast to the "fiesta" spirit of the Sevillana, Solea is a more serious dance that lends itself to personal expression. Solea is also one of the oldest gypsy rhythms. Performed and choreographed by Gabriella "La Tempestad". 
 
 
Bay Area/Houston Ballet & Theatre
Living Through The Lilac
    “For Jimbo….In Loving Memory of Mom”
    Judith L. Pahlow
    June 7th, 1951 – June 10th, 2002
Choreographer: Amber Thornton
Dancers: Amnih Abotteen, Natalie Cannon, Rachael Griffing, Margaret Jarboe, Heather Steele, Amber Thornton, Katie Vernon
Music: “Mama” & “Hiding Under Water…..” by Beth Hart

This piece was created for my best friend Jim, who lost his incredible mother to cancer 2 years ago. They grew up on a beautiful farm in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and his mother’s favorite flowers were lilacs. She had lilac bushes everywhere, however, they planted a Lilac tree outside of her bedroom porch when Jim was just a kid and the tree grew up with him. He used to climb down the lilac tree which grew to reach just outside his bedroom window upstairs. He would climb down to his mother’s porch outside of her bedroom downstairs that wrapped around the picture perfect farm house.

ACT 2
 
Psophonia Dance Company
Mazagines & Beat Selts (excerpt)
Choreographer: Sonia Noriega
Performer: Sophia L. Torres
Music: J.S. Bach
Original Lighting By: Mark Rhoads
 

The dancer uses a mattress as both a catalyst and support for a playful exploration of movement.
 
Houston International Folkdancers
Folkdances from Croatia
Choreographer: Joan Furstenberg
Dancers: Aida Bahtijarevic, Bud Bearce, Emily Clement, John Clement, Joan Furstenberg, Augie Gaona, Agnes Smejkal, Frank Smejkal, Lisa Smith, Bob Thornthwaite
Music: "Ajnzerica", "Posavski Ples", "Moja Diridika", "Rokoko"
 
 

Four folkdances from Croatia in both circle and couple formations.
 
 
Barbara King Dance Company
Roxanne
Choreography: Barbara King
Dancers: Katya, Billy King, Katarina Longoria, Carlos Solis
Music: Roxanne from Moulin Rouge
 

A can-can combined with interpretive International Latin.
 
 
Exclamation Dance Company
Promise of Liberty
Choreographer: Kenneth Epting
Dancers: Arrianna Aguilar, Ashley Cole, Kristin Juengel*, Lindsey Marchand, Reymond Mudlong, Travis Prudhomme, Stephanie Rodriguez
Music: "The Rescue" and "Suffer the Innocent" by Sam Harris
 

Promise of Liberty is a testament of the promise of salvation given to us by God through his son Jesus and our mission to share the good news to all in need of freedom. This dance represents our plea to celebrate the victory of eternal life. "God Save the Children"
 
 
WyldStyl
You Betta Know
Choreography: Gary Connor
Dancers: Brooke Atkinson, Kyle Barnhart, Gary Connor, Michelle Garcia, Theresa Huynh, Melissa Mason, Duy Nguyen, Sara Smith, Amanda Stevens, Tristin Sylvester, JJ Weick
Music: Hip Hop Mix

A high energy blend of hip hop, street jazz, and funk including eye-popping stunts and acrobatics.
 
Second Generation Dance Company
Sista Stroke
Choreographer: Lori Wright-Amare
Dancers: Christi Adkins, Jennifer Colvin, Nadia Dosal, Shante Ned, Inecia Stewart

 

Swingtown Jitterhoppers
Excepts from Jitterhoppin’
Choreographers: Alex and Victoria Arizpe
Dancers: Ashley Cole, Ray Dones, Tina Felkai, Abraham Garcia, Kelly Gwyn, Taryn Josey, Kristie Kiser, Shawn Lester, Raymond Mudlong, Martha Perdomo, Lulu Pierson, Jerry Lee Randall, John Henry Reid *, Andre Silva*, Sara Smith, Brittany Wallis, Fiona Wolstenholme
Music: “My Drag” by Squirrel Nut Zippers, “Hep Hop” by Bill Elliot Orchestra
 

Excerpts from the swing ballet, Jitterhoppin’, choreographed for the Texas Ballet Theatre under the direction of Ben Stevenson.
*Guest artists Andre Silva and John Henry Reid perform courtesy of the Texas Ballet Theater