2005 ARCHIVE

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Shawn Welling’s Planet Funk
Electric Light Circus
Choreographers: Tesia Truitt (Principle Chor.), Shawn Welling (Producer & Chor.) Joel, Mario & Di Zhang (Assistant Chor.)
Dancers: Shawn Welling, Tesia Truitt, Amanda Scogins, Lindsay Slott, Lenton Alllen, Liz Hewitt, Genesa Miller, Shatasha Davis, Elissa Wilke, Mario Jamarillo, Oiver Osuna, Jordan Koler, Andrew Green, Di Zhang, Cara Guy, Joel Martinez
Music: Electric Light Circus Soundtrack produced and written by Shawn Welling

Shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, a young girl finds herself in the universe of “the electric light circus. She is joined by joyful companions as well as another character, more mysterious, who will attempt to seduce her with the marvelous, the unsettling, and the terrifying.

Electric Light Circus fuses urban street movement with modern acrobatic stunt and lyrical technique into Planet Funk’s own original music score. Set to a symphonic track with underlying urban beats, this dance opera sets the stage with visual language of movie cinema inspired from “lord of the rings” and “Cinderella story” to a dazzling live event.


Easy Credit Dance Theater
The Marionette
Choreographer: Richie Hubscher
Dancers: Richard Hubscher & Lauren Bridges
Rock Music: Freddie Barette, Matt Frey, D. Rock, Jonny Striker
Orchestral Music: “The Marionette” by Two Star Symphony & Orchestra
Two Star Symphony: Chenoa Mauthner(violin), Debra Brown(violin), Jo BIrd(viola), and Margeret Lejeune(cello). Two Star Symphony Orchesrta: John Duboise(clarinet), Kirk Suddreath (percussion) Geoffery Muller(banjo), and Cathy Power(marimba)

The circus circuit has completely lost its charm for these burn-out performers.


Urban Indian Beat
In the Mix
Choreographer: Anjaly Thakkar
Dancers: Sumita Chunchu, Andrea Hubert-Villatoro, Neel Shah, Seetal Parikh,
Music: “Palmistry” by Tabla Beat Science and “Later” by Jason Moran

 

A contemporary dance piece infused with elements of classical Indian dance.


Urban Souls Dance Company
The “N” Word
Choreographers and Dancers: Harrison Guy & Walter Hull
Music from the Freedom Song Original Television Soundtrack composed by James Horner

 

This piece, set in 1963, was inspired by the following poem…

I'm quite an intelligent nigger,
But such things I can't understand,
When all men are free and equal;
By the highest law of the land!
I'm a very intelligent nigger,
But I cannot exactly see,
Why there's one set of laws for the white folks,
And a different set for me. Down here, if a crime is committed,
And the criminal cannot be found,
Suspicion will rest on a nigger,
If there's one in a mile around.
And then, if the nigger[']s imprisoned,
Whether guilty they dont' wait to see,
They take him away from the gaoler,
And swing him right up to a tree.


Dance of Asian America
A Love Before Time
Choreographer and Soloist: Janie Yao
Music: “A Love Before Time” by Coco Lee

 

This piece incorporates classical Chinese ribbons with Martha Graham based modern and classical Chinese movements. Choreographed to the theme of Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon, this dance depicts the conflicts of love and torment embedded in the heart and soul.


Psophonia Dance Company
Correspondence
An excerpt from God’s Hands

Choreographer: Sophia L. Torres
Dancers: Scarlett Barnes, Jessica Herzogenrath, & Jeanna Vance or Sophia L. Torres
Music: “Music for Pieces of Wood” by Steven Reich

Correspondence, a collaborative effort between video artist Serena Lin Bush and Sophia L. Torres, deciphers the unspoken traffic of communication between the serendipitous contact of strangers, and the reluctant idiom of lovers. What you will see this evening is an excerpt of this dynamic work.


Exclamation Dance Company
Rhythmical Soulstice
Choreographer: Kenneth Epting
Dancers: Lesa Fontenot, Ashley Garcia-Rameau, Audrea Holmes, Laura Keenan, Gina Lewis , Lindsey Marchand, Brandee Price
Music: “Believe” by Yolanda Adams

 

This piece speaks to the positive energy that resonates from individuals that have a self belief as they interact with one another, through this belief they share the common belief in a high power GOD. This rhythmical solstice will allow the viewer to embrace the joy of life as it is experience by the dancers and presented by the choreographer. In the rhythmical day of preparation we petition the energy and spirit of one another to face another season of life.



Bay Area/Houston Ballet & Theatre
Eyes Wide Shut

Choreographer: Amber Thornton
Dancers: Amnih Abotteen, Margaret Jarboe, Amber Thornton
Jessica Freed, Brandon Fried, Christina Human
Maggie Griffith, Devin Jaet, Samantha Laughbaum
Understudies: Jessica Freed, Brandon Fried, Devin Jaet
Choreographer’s Assistant Brandon Fried
Music: “She Never Sleeps” and “Television” by Hans Zimmer
Costume Design: Candis Cannon
Drop Artwork: Brenda Henning
Stunt Coach: Kye
Make-up designer: Katie Vernon
Technical manager: Curt Tallman

The struggle within the subconscious, conscience… The movement created for Eyes Wide Shut represents key variables of the choreographer’s personal style. The movement is extremely athletic and intense with the choreographer’s unique and diverse signature of combining fluidity with stifled movement based upon physical strength, endurance, and a strong technical background.


Tartanic and Samudra Fusion Dance Company
Sati
[su-tē', sut'ē] By extension from the mythic Sati, the term is also used for the death, voluntary or involuntary, of widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands in India.

Director: Adrian Walter
Dancers: Reetu Jain (soloist), Nehal Sanghavi, G. Chatha
Bagpipes: Richard Kean
Percussion: Adrian Walter
Bellows: Christopher Easterling, Joshua Easterling
Music: “La Fin Du Monde” composed by Richard Kean
Bellows sponsored by the Texas Renaissance Festival

“You light the fire of love in earth and sky in heart and soul of every being.
Through your loving, existence and nonexistence merge,
All opposites unite, all that is profane becomes sacred again.

In your light I learn how to love
In your beauty, how to make my poems
You dance inside my chest where no one sees you
But sometimes I do, and that sight becomes this art.”
- Jalal ad-Din Mohammed Balkhi (Rumi)


Sabor Mexico
La Morena
State of Veracruz

Choreographer: Patricia Astorga
Dancers: Patricia Astorga and Adriana Figueroa

 

This tropical region has developed the beautiful musical form known as Son Jarocho. The famous “walking harp” is one of the principal instruments along with the requinto and jarana. Decimas are often the lyrics heard, which are poems of ten line stanzas, declaring the greatness of Veracruz, the beauty of its women or picaresque comments on everyday life. Probably the most familiar son is “La Bamba” which is the opportunity of the dancers to demonstrate their skill by tying a bow with their feet. The women wear white costumes reminiscent of Valencia or Andalucia in Spain complete with the classic rebozo (shawl), fan and black embroidered apron. The men were the guayabera shirt, which was introduced by the black slaves and the sombrero de cuatro picos (straw hat of four indentations). In Tlacotalpan, the Fiesta de la Candelaria, is dedicated to the Virgen de la Candelaria, patron of the city. During the festivities one will see parades with the Mojigangas (procession of giant figures) in a two week carnival celebration.

Houston Hepcats
Gangbusters and Lady Be Good

Choreographer: Jason Esparza, Austin Dryer, Alex Dryer
Dancers: Meghan Carey, Ben and Michaela Goins, Ryan Stohl, Dori Lampinski, Freddie Dickinson, Kristina Butler, Terry Hurley, Van Ngo, Jason Esparza
Music: “Gangbusters” by The Cats & the Fiddle, “Lady Be Good” by Bill Elliot
 

These dances have steps and movements popular from the 1920’s to the 1940’s.

Ocular Expressions
Urban Landscapes

Choreographers: David Bolzman and Monica Hand
Dancers: Jennifer Drushel, Gabby Gonzalez, Krystal Grimmer, Monica Hand, Cynthia Plumlee, Derni Ruiz, Kelly Sulak
Music: “The New Plan” from The Italian Job

 

Using a variety of equipment normally associated with high school and college marching bands, Ocular Expressions provides a dynamic visual experience. Their premier performance, Urban Landscapes, combines a riveting soundtrack with performers using flags, rifles, sabres and other props. Rifles provide a hard, forceful edge, and sabres develop more delicate moments of the show. Flags of all varieties and colors enhance the visual presentation. The ability to explore various body positions, move across the stage and manipulate equipment, often at the same time, builds a repertoire that electrifies the audience and delights the senses.

Solange
Modern Egyptian Pop

Choreographer: Shakira Massood-Ali
Dancers: Jenna Ali, Hasna Maleek-Ali, Kasia Ali, Alexis, Dalena Asta, Rawiyah Sheherazade, Soraya, Jamila Zakeer, Khala Nisaa Ali, Mahsati Ali, Iris Ali, Aysel
Music:” Wola Ala Baloh” by Amir Diab

This piece is a fusion of modern Egyptian pop and bollywood styled Indian music. Amir Diab is one of the most popular male performers on the Egyptian pop scene.



Barbara King’s Dance Company
A Phantom Love

Choreographer: Barbara A. King
Names of Dancers: (Ballroom) Mayela Arends, Rebecca Avila, Oksana Chernyuk, Yuir Kutsmida, Ryan Lewis, Katerina Longoria, Carlos Solis, (Hip Hop) Wilson Barker, Amanda Stephens, Tiffany Wallace, Marcus Williams, (Breakdancer) Jose Arrendondo
Music: “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce, “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Phantom love incorporates Cha-Cha, Hip-Hop, Interpretive, Rhumba, Argentine Tango and a closing number, all of which illustrate the freedom of expression through highly energetic and athletic movements. Cha-cha a quick and fiery International dance shows the excitement of individuals just before the phantom interrupts. “Christine” is faced with the love she feels for the Phantom on the Opera and the new found romance budding between herself and Raul. The Rhumba is slightly slower, soft dance used here to represent the mutual feelings between Christine and Raul. The next dance used is Argentine Tango which is used to depict the Phantom’s anger, and vengeful spirit once he sees Christine and Raul.

Wyld Styl
Don’t Stop the Beat

Choreographer: Gary Connor
Dancers: Brooke Atkinson, Kyle Barnhart, Vanessa Casteneda, Brittany Gamel, Heather Humble, Phillip Le, Mellisa Mason, Lauren Miller, Duy Nguyen, Sara Smith, Kelsey Sutherland, Tristin Sylvester, Brandon Washington, J.J. Weick, fet. Funk’ D Up
Music: Hip Hop/Jazz mix

An homage to the street performers that hustle for money.  Don’t Stop the Beat features street style jazz and hip hop as well as seamless transitions between complex and ever-changing formations.

Dance Force Productions
Triple Threat

Choreographer: Robin Carlson, Samuel Alix, Dori Santos, and Jene' Walker
Dancers: Robin Carlson, Samuel Alix, Dori Santos, Jerry Foote, Carrie McAngus, David Sanchez, Shana Hoglund, Kimberly Corbett, Amanda Gamel, Chris Crockett, Silas LaToison, Cortney Coleman, Audi Resendez, Thomas Bridges, Michelle Warren, Josh Piper
Music: “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, “Tilt Ya Head Back” by Christina Aguilera & Nelly, Hip-Hop mix of “Tear 'Em Up”, “Fatman Scoop”, & “Pump It Up”

Old school hip-hop, breaking, tumbling, LA style hip-hop, as well as Jazz & Theatrical dance

Dance Force Productions is a professional dance company which provides dance entertainment for corporations, recording artists, charity events, nightclubs, fashion shows, and private parties. The company also provides dance education through school enrichment programs. Dance Force has appeared on Discovery Health Channel and the Food Network and has won national awards for their performances. The company specializes in dance productions that include jazz, disco, salsa, jitterbug, hip-hop, breaking, tumbling, and theatrical dance. "Our goal is to intermingle musical theater and cutting-edge dance in our hopes to delight and excite our audiences!"


Uptown Productions, Inc.
The Art of Survival

Dancers/Competitors: Paul Boulon, Beri Brown, Denise Williamson, Tina Felkai, Abraham Garcia, Kelly Gwyn, Julia Hester, Traci Hines, Stephanie Linhart, Andrea O’Dowd, Martha Perdomo, Jerry Lee Randall, Sara Smith, Juan Torres
Host: Justin Smith
Choreographer: Alex and Victoria Arizpe
Music: “Jungle Drum Boogie” by Brent Lewis, “Boat Montage” by Clint Mansell
Set Design: Rianna Canetti-Rios

Art of Survival takes a theatrical and whimsical look at pop culture and the reality TV show Survivor Challenge through the eyes of dance. The piece incorporates jazz and African style movements with humorous plots and challenges inspired by reality TV.

All photos of DANCE HOUSTON 2005 by InSight Photography