UW Dance Department

press release: Over two weekends in February, the UW-Madison Dance Department presents its annual faculty concert “Rule of Three.” Performances run February 4-6 and 11-13 at the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space, Lathrop Hall, 1050 University Avenue.

“Rule of Three” features the original choreography of New York guest artist, and former Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company member Heidi Latsky—who has been described as “a choreographer and dancer of uncommon intelligence and fluidity” by the New York Times—and six contemporary dance works by UW-Madison artists Kate Corby, Karen McShane-Hellenbrand, Li Chiao-Ping, Marlene Skog, Chris Walker, and Jin-Wen Yu.

Across the works there is whimsy, ritual, and story shown through meditative, cultural and very physical bodily explorations. The concert opens with guest artist Heidi Latsky’s sextet “Solo Countersolo,” a rigorous ensemble work that includes a wild, and at times frenetic solo Latsky created for herself, a quiet fugue and finally a relentless, athletic, electrifying final section that pushes the dancers' stamina.

Kate Corby brings a new, cyclical, meditative trio for three women to the stage, with costumes designed by Corby's long-time collaborator, Chicago-based Maggie Dianovsky, and a spell-binding score by Danish electronica band The Mountains.

Karen McShane-Hellenbrand’s will present a new collaborative work created with internationally renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer Natalia Hildner and artist Kelly Parks-Snider that explores the shadows and light of the female experience.

"Gó," one of Li Chiao-Ping’s seminal works, will return to the H’Doubler Performance Space—an energetic, whimsical work for six dancers outfitted in tutus and combat boots, accompanied by Henryck Górecki's powerful music, and titled from the Chinese board game of the same name.  "Gó" was previously performed at the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, DC, in the National American College Dance Festival.

The concert will also feature large ensemble works from Marlene Skog, Chris Walker and Jin-Wen Yu. Skog will present her playful “Rock/Paper/Scissors!” which features original music composed for the piece by Carol Carlson and a vibrant canvas from visual artist and designer Dale Malner. Walker’s “Variations a Ska”—where new movement is retold—is a contemporary exploration of ska movement and the Jamaican physical vernacular representing aspects of Jamaican culture. Yu’s “Dis/Connect II” is a contemporary retelling of “Romeo and Juliet.”

TICKETS

Tickets for “Rule of Three” are $20/general admission and $15/students and seniors. Show times are 8:00 p.m. on Thursday & Friday February 4 & 5, 2:30 p.m. on Saturday February 6, 8:00 p.m. on Thursday & Friday February 11 & 12 and 2:30 p.m. on February 13. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.uniontheater.wisc.edu, by phone (608) 265-2787, or in person at the Campus Arts Box Office, Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI. Reserved seating. There will be a reception on Friday, February 6 and Friday February 12 with the choreographers and performers in Virginia Harrison Parlor, Lathrop Hall immediately following the show. Refreshments will be served.