Zodiaque Dance Company 49th Season Fall Program

The 49^th fall program Celebration Rising includes diversified choreography in jazz, tap, African drum and dance ensemble, modern and contemporary dance works performed by current UB dance majors who are members of the pre-professional Zodiaque Dance Company. 

The show is under the co-direction of faculty members Kerry Ring and Michael Deeb Weaver. Choreographers include Ring, Deeb Weaver and dance faculty members Jenna Zavrel and Tom Ralabate. Dance faculty Chanon Judson, in collaboration with UB Music Professor George Caldwell, will restage excerpts of Urban Bush Women’s Walking with Trane. Urban Bush Women Co-Artistic Director Mame Diarra Speis and original cast member Stephanie Mas will also be part of the restaging team.

The concert is punctuated by the contributions of second year MFA candidate Joshua Ikechukwu and guest choreographers Autumn Eckman (former Assistant Artistic Director, Giordano Dance Chicago) and Broadway veteran Jeff Shade (Chicago, Sweet Charity).

WALKING WITH 'TRANE (2015) Created and Co-Choreographed by Urban Bush Women Founder/Visioning Partner Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and veteran UBW dancer Samantha Speis in collaboration with Talvin Wilks and the UBW Company. WALKING WITH 'TRANE offers two unique experiences, SIDE A and SIDE B, inspired by the musical life and spiritual journey of John Coltrane, a composer at the forefront of jazz innovation in a racially-charged America of the 50's and 60's. Informed by the unpredictability of the bandstand, the "Band State," the scary, risky place that potentially extends into "transcendence," this ethereal investigation lives within multiple layers of Coltrane's music, Coltrane's spirituality, Coltrane's life ... Choreography by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and Samantha Speis in collaboration with The Company.

The UB Arts Collaboratory and the UB Department of Music are contributing sponsors towards Improved Journeys, a transdisciplinary faculty research project that includes the creative activity centered on WALKING WITH 'TRANE.

*UB Dance Day is Sun. Oct. 22. All standard ticketing options are available plus a special $32 UB Dance Day Ticket, which includes:

·         A participatory pre-show workshop for ages 14 and up in the UB Center for the Arts Dance Studios (Rooms B82 & B82 in the basement of building).  Arrive at noon in the hallway outside of the Dance Studios (rooms B82 and B84) for check-in.

·         A dance class focusing on movement presented in the 2pm performance, and observation of company warm up, plus Q&A with UB dance majors. No specific dancewear required. Come dressed to move!

·         Admission to "Zodiaque Dance Company 49th Season Fall 22 Program" 2 p.m. performance in the Drama Theatre.

·         Questions: Email Professor Kerry Ring: kring2@buffalo.edu

An October 20, 10:30 a.m. performance for students (grades K-12) and senior groups is available by reservation at (716) 645-6921.