We hear that the Oregon Country Fair new movement arts program will feature performances and workshops on a dedicated stage, the spiffy new Dance Pavilion, during the weekend (July 10-12) of the OCF. Look for Salseros Dance Company, the Connexus dance collective, Track Town Swing Club, Danceability and more. A full schedule is available at oregoncountryfair.org.
The Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene (MEDGE) will perform to live music by Americanistan 8:30 pm Friday, July 17, at Cozmic, featuring special guest musicians Kenneth Helms on violin and Leigh Ann Starcevich on vocals and saz (a stringed instrument from Turkey); all ages.
All That! Dance Company hosts public master classes with choreographer Rosero McCoy 1 to 2:30 pm Saturday, July 18, for beginning to intermediate dancers, and a second workshop from 3 to 4:30 pm for advanced dancers. Find more information by calling 688-1523 or visiting allthatdancecompany.com.
The Lane Community College dance program’s lead faculty Bonnie Simoa is in Bali this month for a book launch in which she is featured as “someone carrying the Legong dance tradition outside of Bali,” Simoa says.
And after more than two decades, the UO dance department’s Rita Honka says, “The rumors of my retirement are greatly exaggerated. Thanks to all of you well-wishers, but I am sticking around the UO, simply stepping down as Dance Africa director. It has been a wonderful 23 years, and while it saddens me that it is ending, it is time. Time for the next generation.” Over the years, tens of thousands of children and adults throughout the state have been treated to the dance, music and culture of Africa through Honka’s efforts. Hats off to her for her dedication to the arts and her service to the community.
August dance kicks off with another installment of #instaballet, an interactive dance performance featuring artists from the Eugene Ballet Company 5 to 8 pm Friday, Aug. 7, during First Friday ArtWalk at Oregon Contemporary Theatre (194 W. Broadway); free. July’s installment was a hit at OCT, featuring a dance photography gallery by #instaballet co-creator Antonio Anacan.