The University of Oregon dance department presents its “Student Dance Concert” featuring new works by Corrina Chow, Constance Kell, Sarah Ginther, Bryn Hlava, Morgan Lander and Darion Smith 8 pm Thursday through Sunday, May 5-8, at Dougherty Dance Theatre, Gerlinger Annex; $8-12 door.
Ballet Fantastique presents Scarlet Flower: Beauty & the Beast Retold, inspired by the Russian telling of the Beauty and the Beast tale and featuring the sounds of Russian folk with Trio Voronezh. Catch this “new gothic fairy tale spoof, at turns fantastically haunting — or fantastically rogue,” write choreographers-producers Donna and Hannah Bontrager. The ballet runs 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday, May 6-7, and 2:30 pm Sunday, May 8, at the Hult Center; $31-$58.50.
Dance Northwest presents Down 4 It 2016 May 6 at the Lane Community College Ragozzino Performance Hall; $15. “The concert will feature a variety dance styles including hip hop, contemporary, Tahitian, tap and more,” director Anita Sanford writes. “Dancers from Eugene, Central Oregon and Portland will be performing.” Sanford notes that while this is an all-ages show, language and material may not be suitable for all ages.
Also May 6, the first #instaballet of the season kicks off during the First Friday ArtWalk 5:30 to 8 pm at the Midtown Arts Center, 1590 Willamette. “Come and go as you please during the ArtWalk and help Eugene Ballet Company dancers make a ballet,” says co-director and performer Suzanne Haag. “Audience members can suggest steps for the dancers to perform and the final audience-choreographed ballet will be performed at 8 pm.”
Lane Community College Department of Dance presents “The Works” student dance concert 7:30 pm Thursday through Saturday, May 12-14, in the Ragozzino Performance Hall on the LCC campus. The show features new work by Nikki Unwin, Elana Sutton, Tristan Gianinni, Kylie Duffy, Danielle Zink, Denae Brocksmith, Erin Strickland, Natalie Madden, Chelsea Godon, Colleen Kiyuna and Button Will.
Don’t miss the opportunity to catch Portland-based BodyVox May 14 (look for a story in next week’s EW) at the Hult Center; $37.50-$70.50. “The Eugene Ballet Company has invited BodyVox back to Eugene with a ‘best of the best’ program of the past 15 years,” says EBC’s Kylie Keppler. “Their unique blend of dance, theater and film creates a show that is challenging and engaging for committed dance fans yet accessible to new audiences.”
Pacific Classical Ballet and Ballet Northwest Academy present Alice in Wonderland featuring dancers ages 5 and up 4 pm May 15 at the Wildish Theater, Springfield; $7-$10.
XCAPE Dance Company presents its final show of the season, The Fun House, 7:30 pm red carpet, 8:30 pm showtime, May 20, at Hi-Fi Music Hall; $10-$13. Expect “fierce dancing, music and circus-inspired acts,” says Vanessa Fuller, the group’s founder.
At 8 pm May 20-21, the UO presents its newest performing ensemble, Dema, in The Rise of the New Dawn. “Dema, a total African performance experience, will combine the study and performance of traditional arts, including drumming, dance, singing and storytelling from a variety of African cultures,” says assistant professor Habib Iddrisu, the group’s director and a traditionally trained musician, dancer and historian from northern Ghana. Catch the performance in Dougherty Dance Theatre, Gerlinger Annex; $8-$12.
In studio news, “spring dance classes have begun!” writes DanceAbility’s Kathryn Gaines. “The unique DanceAbility method always ensures that nobody is isolated, regardless of abilities or disabilities. Scholarships are available and drop-ins are always welcome.” Visit danceability.com for details.
And the West African Cultural Arts Institute invites you to join “Alseny Yansane for a fabulously fun African Dance class that welcomes all dancers,” write co-directors Alseny and Andrea Yansane. “This Saturday [May 7] class from 11 am to 12:30 pm is an excellent way to kick off your weekend with an encouraging community vibe and heart-pounding and sweat-producing dance moves all to the powerful beat of live drumming!” At the WOW Hall, drop-ins welcome; $12-$15.