"New Dance Horizons II" opens River Campus Touring Season on Wednesday

It will be an evening for beautiful yet complex dance performances when "New Dance Horizons II" begins the 2013-2014 River Campus Touring Season today at the Bedell Performance Hall.

A production of Dance St. Louis, one of the oldest and most respected dance presenters in the United States, "New Dance Horizons II" will feature four recently premiered dances from Common Thread Dance Co., Leverage Dance Theatre, Madco and the Saint Louis Ballet.

Bob Cerchio, assistant director of the River Campus, said the production was "a collaboration made in heaven."

"With Dance St. Louis pulling in four terrific St. Louis dance companies," Cerchio said, "the 'New Dance Horizons' series is proving to be tremendously exciting."

Cerchio said the dances performed by the companies will be complex.

"These won't be your typical dance productions," he said. "We'll be seeing new dances put together by top of the line choreographers that will include wonderful lighting and costumes."

According to the Dance St. Louis website, the dances that will be performed during "New Dance Horizons II" premiered earlier this month at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. Common Thread Dance Co. will present "One," choreographed by Uri Sands; Leverage Dance Co. will present "Encounters With The Infinite," choreographed by Nejla Yatkin; Madco will present "Land's Edge," with a reconstructed choreography by Jude Woodcock; and the Saint Louis Ballet will present "Figurant," choreographed by Emery LeCrone.

"For people who enjoy dance, this will be exciting," Cerchio said. "Even people who aren't big fans will be able to take in a great show."

The production of "New Dance Horizons II" will mark the second time Dance St. Louis has brought the high-caliber dance companies to the River Campus. The group also presented "New Dance Horizons" to launch the 2012-2013 River Campus Touring Series.

Michael Uthoff, artistic and executive director of Dance St. Louis, said in an email to the Southeast Missourian he was "thrilled to death" to be coming back to the River Campus.

"We want to showcase the talent we have in St. Louis," Uthoff said, "and it's a pleasure to bring New Dance Horizons back to Cape Girardeau."

Uthoff said the performances of "New Dance Horizons II" will have audience members glued to their seats.

"It should be quite an evening," he said. "Each work is a jewel unto its own, and together they create a string of creative pearls. Those in the audience will be marveling at the images conjured by the choreographers and the interpretation of the artists."

"New Dance Horizons II" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Bedell Performance Hall. Tickets are $26 and $32 and may be bought at the River Campus box office in the Cultural Arts Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today or by calling 651-2265. Tickets also may be purchased by visiting rivercampusevents.com.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO