Liesbeth Powers/Inland 360
University of Idaho dance students, including Karly Kanudson, front, learn choreography from Repertory Dance Theatre Artistic Associate Nicholas Cendese, left, on campus in Moscow.
Moscow-based Festival Dance’s three-pronged strategy to bring arts to the community is on full display this week, culminating in a Friday, Sept. 22, evening performance by Repertory Dance Theatre of Salt Lake City celebrating modern dance.
That comes after a week of workshops with University of Idaho students and visits to area schools, completing the trifecta of performance, education and outreach Festival Dance Executive Director Tim Sievers said is the organization’s goal.
Repertory Dance Theatre is set to perform pieces in a variety of styles at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Hartung Theatre, 625 Stadium Drive, on the University of Idaho campus in Moscow. Tickets, $25 for adults and $10 for students and minors, are available at festivaldance.org and at the door.
Liesbeth Powers/Inland 360
University of Idaho students learn choreography from artist in residence and Repertory Dance Theatre Artistic Associate and Development Director Nicholas Cendese. The students will perform during a segment of Repertory Dance Theatre's program on Friday in Moscow.
The performance includes selections from “The Mazurkas,” first presented by the Jose Limon Dance Company in 1958 to pay tribute to the spirit of the Polish people’s post-war revival, according to information provided by Festival Dance.
“I’m really interested in the ‘Mazurkas’ piece coming out of World War II and seeing how the heroism of the Polish people is reflected through the beauty of this dance,” Sievers said. “And maybe there are even things that are not beautiful that represent the struggle.
“What I think is really interesting is how RDT is tying together history and the arts, and how the arts oftentimes become a reflection of or a commentary on society. Thinking about the interpretation of history through the arts is an important way for us to connect to our history.”
Repertory Dance Theatre Artistic Associate Nicholas Cendese worked with students in UI’s dance program over the past several days, and the students will perform his choreography during a segment Friday.
Festival Dance — officially the Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association — operates through the University of Idaho Movement Sciences Department. It offers an all-ages dance academy with styles ranging from hip-hop to ballet to musical theater, and provides community education through outreach programs.
Repertory Dance Theatre Artistic Associate Nicholas Cendese worked with students in UI’s dance program over the past several days, and the students will perform his choreography during a segment Friday.
Festival Dance — officially the Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association — operates through the University of Idaho Movement Sciences Department. It offers an all-ages dance academy with styles ranging from hip-hop to ballet to musical theater, and provides community education through outreach programs.
Liesbeth Powers/Inland 360
Artist in residence and Repertory Dance Theatre Artistic Associate and Development Director Nicholas Cendese, right, teaches choreography to a class at the University of Idaho in Moscow
Its YouthReach program was scheduled to bring Repertory Dance Theatre to schools in Potlatch and Lapwai this week for presentations that included a short performance, dance demonstrations and Q&A session with students.
“It’s a pretty cool opportunity for kids to see dance, in particular,” Sievers said, “(and) maybe affirm an interest that they have in the arts or in dance.”
Stone (she/her) can be reached at mstone@inland360.com.
