The Start of Something Big @ Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company (Sept. 26-28 SLC)

This season, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company has reached a milestone not achieved by many of contemporary dance companies, or even many arts organizations in the United States – it turned 50 years old. As a testament to its impactful history and dynamic vision for the future, Ririe-Woodbury kicks off its 50^th Anniversary Season celebration with an exciting new show, The Start of Something Big, September 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rose Wagner Center. This performance examines the formative works of the Company, including those by Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury, with interludes of the 1972 Fellini-esque film “MOVE IT,” by Stanley and Judith Hallet. It also features a world premiere by new Artistic Director Daniel Charon.

“Prisms” (1971) created by Shirley Ririe, uses the Merce Cunningham “chance method” and employs painted slides, a technique introduced by Alwin Nikolais. “Affectinate Infirmities” (1972) by Joan Woodbury, was created as an homage to everyone who has suffered the indignity of a debilitating injury and is danced on crutches. “Clouds” (1971) was created for the first Ririe-Woodbury Children’s Show by Shirley Ririe. “Play It As It Rings” (1970) by Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury, was created with a focus on time, and was inspired by John Cage and Alwin Nikolais. “Loose Change” (2005) was created by Joan Woodbury in the spirit of the works the Company was performing in the 1970s. “Striped Celebrants” (from Totem 1955) by Alwin Nikolais and “Suite de Danse” (1960) by Murray Louis were gifted to the Company at its founding to be part of the repertory. “Everything That Changes” (World Premiere) by Artistic Director Daniel Charon is inspired by the notion that time is continually moving forward and that change is inevitable.

This performance marks the first performance at Ririe-Woodbury under the artistic direction of Daniel Charon, who joined the Company in June of this year.  His performing and choreographic career spans 17 years, working with such prestigious companies as Doug Varone and Dancers, Limón Dance Company, Doug Elkins and Friends, the Metropolitan Opera, and Dance Kaleidoscope among many others.

As part of its extensive Education Program, Ririe-Woodbury will present a September 25 matinee, open to any K-12 school in Utah. More information and registration forms are available at http://ririewoodbury.com/education/free-student-matinees

About Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company:
Celebrating it’s 50^th Anniversary Season, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company is committed to furthering contemporary dance as an accessible and valued art form through performance and dance education that raise the standards, deepen the understanding and promote personal connections with dance. The Company does so by performing innovative original works and commissioning talented choreographers, providing dance education for all levels, and touring regionally, nationally, and internationally. More information at www.ririewoodbury.com.

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company
The Start of Something Big
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center  - 138 West Broadway, Salt Lake City
September 26 -28, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets available at ArtTix.org or 801-355-ARTS