Dance on film has been a “thing” for decades. However, during the past year, it has become more of a necessity. The dance students in the Department of Dance at SUNY Brockport have been negotiating both the pandemic and their artistic inspirations as they have prepared Virtual DANCE/Strasser. The concert will premiere on Saturday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., and stream on an on-demand basis through May 22. Though the event is free, patrons must register online at fineartstix.brockport.edu to receive the link to view the performance. Once a patron has received the link, they may watch the concert at any time during the time the link is live. Donations will also be accepted at the ticketing site. Patrons may contact the Tower Fine Arts Center box office for guidance at 395-2787.
Co-artistic directors, Associate Professor Mariah Maloney and Music Director Greg Woodsbie have curated a program of innovative works created by undergraduate and graduate students within the dance department. The evening brings forward 13 visually compelling and multi-textured dance for camera works, “where students’ inspiration and growth is palpable as they demonstrate a keen eye and increasing expertise in the medium of film.”
In the concert, BFA undergraduate student Kaitlin Hill’s “Touch” relates to the pandemic, during which so many are lacking physical comfort and touch. Hill explores the way the relationship between positive and negative touch has been heightened; she asks “how does the body navigate between desiring touch one moment and fearing it the next?” BFA undergraduate student Kelsey Scalzo leads us on “an exploration into the ways one dancer can become many” in “With All My Friends.” MFA graduate student Megan Deshotel shares a work that began before COVID and evolved into a dance film. Her “‘Ensemble’ is a playful and multi-layered work commenting on specific body parts and the body’s interaction with an ensemble of shoes.” MFA graduate student Carey Barnette’s “‘Be a Lady They Said’ looks at what it means to be a ‘lady’ in a society that gives contradicting standards.”
Maloney and Woodsbie “hope you might use this as an excuse to create an evening for yourself; an artistic date. Put it on the calendar, eat a lovely meal, get a beverage – maybe dress up! – and enjoy the talents and stories of these young artists!”
More information about the Fine Arts Series at The College at Brockport can be found at brockport.edu/
academics/fine_arts or on Facebook.
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