News Release

Santa Ana College Dance Department Presents Dancewatch 2016: PASSAGES… CONNEXIONS

​(Santa Ana, CA)—Beginning Thursday, November 10, in honor of Veterans Day and paying special tribute to the men and women who serve our country, community, and students, the Santa Ana College (SAC) Dance Department is proud to present “Dancewatch 2016: PASSAGES… CONNEXIONS”. This unique concert is SAC’s first ever theme-based dance event and will feature the original work of five faculty choreographers and one poet.

The works include improvisational and structured dance focused on the idea of “service.” SAC dance department chair, professor, and choreographer Heather Gillette describes the goal of the concert, “I'm hoping that what we are doing will give honor to our military and remind us all that it's important to stand together and honor each other.”

The first work is inspired by the act of offering; giving from a place of selflessness. This is followed by a poetry reading performed and written by a SAC English professor. The next dance is inspired by childhood memories of a father serving in the Marine Corps, and concludes with a sign-language interpretation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The third choreographic work supports the story of a veteran who is now a SAC student, working part time in the SAC Veterans Resource Center. The fourth performance is a hip-hop dance reflecting the rhythmic musicality of a live, spoken word cadence. The final dance performance contrasts a sometimes selfish nature with the community that can be built through connection and support. The event will conclude with a final expression of gratitude. The dances are supported and linked by video projected images and lighting effects to bridge and transition one dance into the next. The entire concert will be one seamless work, lasting approximately 60-70 minutes with no intermission.

The SAC Dance Department is noted for its broad curriculum and individualized instruction, and offers an Associate in Arts degree in Dance and a Dance Certificate in Performance. The department invites guest choreographers for fall residencies. Past guest artists have included Joel Smith, LeeAnn Alduenda, Alvin Ailey Company dancers, Loretta Livingston, Regina Klenjoski Company, Backhausdance, Bare Dance Company, Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Doug Varone Company dancer, Shen Wei Dance Company and DeFore Dance Collective.

When:
Thursday, November 10: Performance at 7:30 p.m.
Includes a pre-performance talk at 7:15 p.m. and a post-performance discussion

Friday, November 11: Performance at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 12: Performances at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: General Admission $15; SAC Staff/Faculty/Seniors $12; Students w/ID $9.99; Children 5-14 $5
In honor of Veterans Day, admission is free for military personal, veterans, and families, with proper ID.

Location: Phillips Hall Theatre, Santa Ana College, 1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA, 92706.

Tickets can be purchased on the SAC Fine and Performing Arts website at www.sac.edu/fpa. The box office also opens 45 minutes in advance of the performance for ticket sales.

About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more.

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Contact: Judy Iannaccone

Phone: (714) 480-7503

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