From African dance to jazz and ballet to modern dance, an ensemble of University of Colorado Boulder graduate students in dance will present a full range of dance genres in a public performance on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Trinidad State Junior College’s Massari Theater.
This year’s CU Contemporary Dance Works’ tour will conclude the dance company’s five-year focus on dancing, performing and teaching in Trinidad.
CU Contemporary Dance Works is a graduate student touring company that provides dance outreach through performance and movement classes. The company’s goals are to build vital connections between the people of Colorado and the CU-Boulder Department of Theatre and Dance and to cultivate knowledge of and involvement in dance.
In addition to their public performance on May 14, the company will spend the week visiting local dance studios and schools, where they will teach various dance styles including ballet, modern and swing. The company will provide workshops for dancers at K(INspire) Pre-Professional Dance Studio in Trinidad. These workshops are open to the public. Local K(INspire) dancers will also join the CU dancers on stage on May 14.
“As the Student Director of CU Contemporary Dance Works, I feel very proud of what the company has achieved in the past visits to the Trinidad area," said Cristina Goletti. “We have made a great contribution to the arts curriculum in many local primary and secondary schools, as well as making dance more accessible and visible to the whole community.
“This year we return to Trinidad with a strong cast of wonderful dancers and teachers who are ready to engage with the community in strong and powerful ways once more.”
Tickets for the TSJC performance are $4 for adults and $3 for seniors and children. Tickets can be purchased at the door the evening of event or in advance Monday-Friday from noon-4 p.m. at the Trinidad Community Foundation, 134 West Main Street, Suite 24. TSJC students and faculty may attend for free with a school identification card. All proceeds will benefit the City of Trinidad Cheer Program.
In addition to studio and school visits, the CU Contemporary Dance Works dancers will participate in the Trinidad Water Festival at TSJC on May 16. Classes of K-12 students will participate in drumming and dancing circles inspired by ritualistic water ceremonies as a tribute to the life-supporting element. The second annual Water Festival will address challenges and opportunities surrounding water use in Colorado, and the dance workshops will incorporate artistic expression among the water-themed seminars.
CU Contemporary Dance Works is part of “CU in the Community,” a series of events led by CU-Boulder faculty and students. These programs are jointly sponsored by Trinidad State Junior College, Trinidad Community Foundation, Trinidad & Las Animas County Chamber of Commerce, Trinidad Times Independent and the CU-Boulder Office for University Outreach. For more information about the series, email outreach@colorado.edu.