Dance company showcases mix of styles

Dancers of the River North Chicago Dance Company demonstrated their skills at their first and only performance at the Bedell Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus on Tuesday night with dance styles ranging from ballet to jazz.

The company's 13 members performed modern dance to a six-part medley of music before an audience of about 250 people.

Audience member Jessie Raines of Cape Girardeau said she was amazed at the precision of the dancers.

"Even when they look mechanical, they've got it all together," Raines said.

During breaks in the music, dancers could be seen on stage breathing in unison.

One dance, choreographed by Robert Battle and titled "Three," was adapted by the company and featured three male dancers taking turns on stage, acting out fighting moves to tribal music.

Raines said she was amazed at how the dancers kept perfect time with one another throughout the lengthy selection.

"It's amazing the human body can move like that," said Kathy Bert of Perryville, Mo., who came to see the show with her family.

Some dances featured music with soothing beginnings and then turned more dramatic.

"It started out haunting and then it went mystical," Raines said.

Special lighting effects and props aid the River North Chicago Dance Company in portraying mood and increasing the visual speed of the dancers' movements.

Overall, Raines, who has been attending touring performances at the River Campus since 2007, said she thought the performance was very professional.

"It keeps you engrossed," she said.

The River North Chicago Dance Company is celebrating its 20th anniversary by touring and holding special premieres throughout the year. On Monday, two of the company's dancers gave free master dance classes on Southeast Missouri State University's campus to student dancers and community members.

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