InSynce Dance Theatre Announces Annual Concert

HOLLAND - InSync Dance Theatre, Michigan's only professional tap and jazz company is scheduled to present its annual concert on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 21-22, at 8 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theatre.

The company will present a diverse program that will include New York City choreographer Nina Buisson's premiere work titled "Yulunga." Buisson's contemporary work explores mythical figures from the land and sea, and includes images of sea creatures, show horses and other fantastical figures set to enriching, culturally inspired music. The piece is a parade of images and a mystical journey highlighted by her sense of design. The work itself features myriad patterns, textures in the context of dynamic movement and intricate lifts. Buisson's work is supported with a grant from the Hope College Patrons for the Arts.

In addition, Ray Tadio of the Hope dance faculty, who has recently joined the company as co-artistic director, will stage "Skee-Duh-Dup," an edgy, challenging, power-driven, show-musical style dance with electrifying costumes, and a new contemporary work titled "ISSA." Mr. Tadio will also be featured as a dancer in Nina Buisson's "Yulunga."

Co-artistic director Rosanne Barton-DeVries will premiere her new work "Glimmer," which weaves together for the first time in company history both lyrical jazz and rhythm tap. "Glimmer" explores the idea of breath as embodied and expressed in the language of lyrical jazz and the idea of rhythm as expressed in the language of tap dance.

Barton-DeVries will also present a newly designed a cappella tap dance, titled "Words," in which dancers say what they have to say with their feet, finally culminating in a crescendo of intense rhythm.

Dolores Sanchez, a veteran InSync dancer and Hope senior from Whiting, Ind., will "lay down some iron" and provide rhythm tap interludes between the company's main repertory works.

Other works in the program include "Dance Between the Raindrops," choreographed by Chicago Tap Theatre's Mark Yonally; "All That Jazz," choreographed by company co-founders Dawn McIlhargey-Wigert and Terri Filips; and a hip-hop work performed by select Hope College dancers.

The concert will conclude with dancers and audience members alike joining together to dance the "Shim Sham." Tap shoes are welcome, but not required.

Tickets for Hope College's affiliate jazz and tap company's concert will be available at the Knickerbocker Theatre box office one hour before show time. Admission is $7 for regular admission and $5 for students.

The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. 8th St.

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