A variety of dance styles – from contemporary, tap and jazz, to cha-cha, salsa and flamenco – will be on display during the New Mexico State University Dance Program's 2024 Fall Dance Concert beginning tonight through Sunday.
The first performance will be at 7 p.m. tonight at Rentfrow Hall, 3165 Williams Ave., on the NMSU Las Cruces campus. Additional performances will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Tickets may be purchased at https://m.bpt.me/event/6490655.
Choreographers include NMSU dance faculty Joshua L. Peugh of the Dark Circles Contemporary Dance Company; Tara Madsen Robbins, an international dance artist and educator; and Abraham Quintero of the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Special performances will feature NMSU's ballet folklórico and mariachi band, the NMSU Dancesport Ensemble and The Pulse Dance Collective.
Quintero's performance will demonstrate stories of the rodeo in the northern Mexican dance forms of Raza and Huapango. The performance features other world dances such as the flamenco, cha-cha and Viennese waltz, and various contemporary dances by NMSU alumna Applehelen Kirby and dance faculty Ana Suffle. Other contemporary works are choreographed by Peugh and feature a collaboration between Madsen and NMSU Dance Program Director Ryan McMullen.
"Students auditioned to work with the choreographers in August and have been rehearsing several hours per week in preparation in addition to their dance technique classes," McMullen said.
Past dance concerts have proven to be popular and have sold out. Attendees are asked to purchase tickets as early as possible. Ticket prices range from $5 to $15.
"Previous performances in Rentfrow Hall have traditionally sold out, and I am hoping we can achieve that again, this time with four consecutive performances," McMullen said. "We're excited for the opportunity to showcase our talented staff, faculty and guests to the community."
For more information about the NMSU Dance Program, visit https://kind.nmsu.edu/academic-programs/dance-main.html.
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-dance-program-to-showcase-talents-at-concert/s/dd1291ed-76b8-47c7-a8fb-6d366f5d8359
