One of America's foremost dance ensembles, Philadanco, will perform "Messages from the Heart" when it appears at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. The company will also perform for the Quick Center's Schooldays Series, an outreach program for children, on Friday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. That show is appropriate for children in grades four and up.

Hailed by the critics as "exuberant" (The New York Times) and "a miracle of skill and energy" (Dance Magazine), Philadanco will celebrate its 31st season at the Quick Center with a full evening's program heralding women, in the modern dance idiom, created by four of today's most eminent female choreographers: Eva Gholson, Bebe Miller, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and Elise Monte.

Each work explores the connectedness and sanctity of body, mind and spirit and the cultural traditions that inform the female response. Each work also creates, through dance and multi-arts enhancements, messages that flow from the hearts of women. Sections of the production feature original music which is intended to expand the influence of women in dance.

Founded by Joan Myers Brown, artistic director, Philadanco (The Philadelphia Dance Company), has been described by many as a professional company with unparalled energy and superior technical ability that continues to thrill audiences both nationally and internationally with adventurous choreography, bright new talent and artistic integrity treasured by aficionados everywhere. In addition to the aforementioned, the company has a long list of acclaimed choreographers including: Milton Myers, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Blondell Cummings, David Brown and Ron K. Brown.

Philadanco was named an honor company of Regional Dance America and is a member of Dance/USA, American Dance Guild, the Philadelphia Dance Alliance, the Coalition of African-American Cultural Organization and the Performing Arts League of Philadelphia. Ms. Brown recently received the Dance Women Living/Legends Award, the New Jersey Performing Arts Award and was cited by Aaron Davis Hall and An Arts Center.

Tickets to the performance, which is sponsored by the National Dance Project, are $38, $33, and $28 with discounts available for seniors, students and groups. A post-show "Art to Heart" question and answer session with the company is scheduled. Tickets for the Schooldays Series are $5. A study guide is available for teachers. The Schooldays Series is funded in part by Schools in Partnership with Unilever H & PC. For tickets or more information call (203) 254-4010 or toll-free at 1-877-ARTS-396.

Posted On: 11-01-2001 09:11 AM

Volume: 34 Number: 113