Kennedy Theatre

Media Release

Department of Theatre and Dance
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822

Contact: Jessica L. Jacob, Publicity Director
Phone: (808) 956-2598
Fax: (808) 956-4234
Box Office: (808) 956-7655 (v/t)
email: theatre-pr@hawaii.edu

January 29, 2004
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CREATIVE EXPLOSION: UHM’S "MUSIC, ART AND DANCE FEST!" COMBINES HAWAII’S GREAT TALENTS

The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance is collaborating with musicians and artists from the Music and Art Departments to present an expanded dance concert: "Music, Art and Dance Fest!" Live music performances will be combined with diverse dance forms and art department visuals. Artworks will transform the upper and lower lobbies of the Kennedy Theatre into a gallery. UHM’s "Music, Art and Dance Fest!" will be on the Kennedy Theatre mainstage March 5, 6, 12, 13 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 14 at 2 p.m.

The concert opens with hula kahiko directed by Vicky Holt Takamine. A piece choreographed by Eve Walstrum Sanders follows; five ballet dancers pair with five musicians directed by Grant Okamura performing original music by former UH Music Faculty Armand Russell. Emerging from UH retirement for this event, Russell will attend the performance with his wife Sandra Hammond, the former UHM Director of Dance. Also coming out of UH retirement for the "Music, Art and Dance Fest!" is Neil McKay. Directed by Pat Hennessey, McKay’s music played by the UH Jazz Ensemble underscores the choreography of Director of Dance Gregg Lizenbery

In a work choreographed by UH Dance Faculty Peggy Gaither Adams that incorporates visuals from UH Art Department’s Don Dugal, two dancers take the stage with Martin Regan on shakuhachi and Diane Rubio on cello with music composed by Regan. Two more works choreographed by Adams include a sand dance to Neil McKay’s "Sof’ Slippa" performed by the UHM Jazz Ensemble, and an intricate duet featuring tap-dancer Wayles Haynes and composer Ernie Provencher on string bass.

Choreography by UH Dance Faculty Betsy Fisher will be combined with live readings of the poetry of Billy Collins, named Poet Laureate in 2000, and live jazz performance. The final poem of the piece, "Question of Angels," has inspired a comical tone for the dance and costumes.

Flowing, jewel-toned costumes ornament the eight dancers in a piece created by new UH Faculty Kristi Burns. Her work features a vocal score by Music Department Faculty Takeo Kudo which is performed by the dancers. The finale of this eclectic arts extravaganza is a collection of hapa haole hula with choreography by Takamine, music arranged by McKay for the Jazz Ensemble, and vocalists directed by Karen Kennedy. Costume design for the concert is by UH Theatre Faculty Sandra Finney with lighting design by new Kennedy Theatre Technical Director Daniel Anteau.

Tickets for UHM’s mainstage dance concert: "Music, Art and Dance Fest!" go on sale Monday, February 23 at the Kennedy Theatre Box Office. Tickets may be purchased in person or charged-by-phone at 956-7655 (voice/text) Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 regular, $12 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff, $10 non-UHM students, children, $3 UHM students with validated Spring 2004 UHM photo ID. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster at all Times Supermarket Stores, online at Ticketmaster or charge by phone at 1-877-750-4400. Service charges apply on Ticketmaster sales. For more information, charge-by-phone, or disability access, call the Kennedy Theatre Box office at 956-7655 (voice/text).

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"Music, Art & Dance Fest"

When: March 5, 6, 12 & 13th at 8:00pm

Where: UHM's Kennedy Theatre Mainstage

$15 regular