Artistry in Motion performs '12 Days of Dance'
Artistry in Motion, the resident dance company of the Des Plaines Park District, performed eleven pieces from their upcoming "Winter Spectacular: The Twelve Days of Dance," at the Arden Courts of Elk Grove Village, on Dec. 8.
The program featured an extensive selection of dance genres interwoven with holiday music, beginning with “We Need a Little Christmas,” and ending with the finale, “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.” “This was a wonderful way for the company to spread a little Christmas cheer and refine some of their pieces in front of an audience,” said Laura Chiuve, artistic director.
Winter Spectacular will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. Satuday, Dec. 17 in the Prairie Lakes Theater.
Guest choreographers include Rich Ashworth, Cecilia Ferguson-Bell, Anne Gollenberg, and Mary Williams.
Each of the 12 original dances is based on one of the gifts from the classic “Twelve Days of Christmas” song.
“The Twelve Days of Dance is a unique holiday treat,” said Chiuve, “with something for everyone including music from Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' and 'Swan Lake,' old favorites by Burl Ives and the Pointer Sisters, and some new covers by Straight No Chaser. The company has had several opportunities to run the new program in front of an audience and the dancers are prepared and polished for their season premiere,” said Chiuve.
Joining the Spectacular for the second year will be seven dancers from the Tots in Motion program performing “Holly Jolly Christmas,” choreographed by Chiuve, at 2 p.m. Saturday, in the second act.
Tots in Motion is a preschool dance program for children ages 3 to 5 years designed to introduce budding dancers to technique and terminology. Also, in the second half, Rhythm in Motion, the tap dance company, will perform “Little Drummer Boy,” a piece that combines tap choreography by Chiuve and hip-hop choreography by Ashworth.
Artistry in Motion performs twice a year at the Prairie Lakes Theater and at local venues around the state. The company focuses on advanced technique and original pieces set for the company include an eclectic mix of jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, modern, and hip hop styles.
Winter Spectacular 2011, Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 E. Thacker St. in Des Plaines, at 7 p.m. Dec. 16, and 2 p.m. Dec. 17.
Tickets are on sale now at the Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St. Pricing is $8 for adults and $5 for dancers and students. For more information, about purchasing tickets and group pricing, call (847) 391-5711 or visit www.DPParks.org.