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| Michaela Brooks, a freshman kinesiology major, performs during a rehearsal. |
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| Students such as Stephanie Kjos seen here have been rehearsing for the gala since fall quarter began. |
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| In this routine the dancers never leave their chairs, yet still manage to use the whole stage. |
Cal Poly Pomona's Institute of New Dance and Cultures is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special Gala Concert on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
The event commemorates the milestone by bringing together student dancers with established choreographers in the Southern California dance community who are also past lecturers or alumni.
“It's important for this gala to represent what the institute is about,” says Gayle Fekete, the gala's artistic director. “We really enjoy the creative storytelling process through contemporary dance.”
The dance institute aims to be student-centered, culturally diverse and artistically inclusive. It has a humanistic, cross-cultural, interdisciplinary approach to the way art functions in society on a personal, local, national and global levels.
The eight dances at the Gala Concert vary greatly offering several styles of dance and perspectives. Domestic violence and crimes against women are two topics addressed by the dramatic routines.
“Contemporary dance is progressive and embracing,” Fekete says. “Some of the pieces have political agendas and others offer insights into cultural and societal issues.”
The choreographers include Suchi Branfman, Phyllis Douglass, Kim Gregg, Carla Lubow, Valerie Vera-Mineer, Shyamala Moorty, David Mullen and Deborah Rosen.
The 10th Anniversary Gala Concert will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the University Theatre. General admission tickets are $15. Tickets are $10 for seniors and student, faculty and staff with IDs.
For more information call (909) 869-3926.