The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Department presents its celebration of dance in the popular Great Leaps Dance Concert Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 pm in the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center. The performances are a culmination of the semester for all UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College dance classes, which showcases over 100 dancers.
The concert will highlight the Senior Project of Sharyse Molina performing to music of Lady Gaga. Nicole Monette presents her dance class of teens from Center Stage Dance Alliance in her choreography project to music of Pink Floyd.
The UH Hilo Modern Dance II class will perform BLURBLE WERBLE, a work conceived by Annie Bunker in collaboration with visiting scholar Jeongha Kim and UH Hilo Performing Arts student Bridge Hartman.
The Ballet classes taught by Celeste Staton offer upbeat numbers to “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Dancing in the Streets.” Jazz Dance class choreographed by Kea Kapahua, in collaboration with Lawrence Mano, will stir the heart with selections from The Greatest Showman. There will also be two pieces of traditional courtly fan dancing and drum dance choreographed by visiting scholar Jeongha Kim, Muriel Assi will share her heritage in a piece entitled “Africa:United” that showcases high energy and stirring rhythms, and the UH Hilo Dance Ensemble highlights dances created by Sarah Dunaway and Lawrence Mano.
“These high-energy and emotional works were successfully taken on tour to area schools to promote the UH Hilo Performing Arts program and to encourage college enrollment to future students,” said Celeste Staton, UH Hilo Dance Instructor.
This is an open seating event. Preview tickets on April 27 are $3.00 for all seats. Tickets for the April 28 performance are $7 General and $5 Discount, Student w/valid ID, and Children 17 & under. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Box Office at 932-7490 or artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.
For disability accommodation, contact Dori Yamada at 932-7496 (V) or 933-3334 (TTY) at least 10 business days prior to the event.