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HomeNewsArchivesMOMIX Dance Troupe Offers Glimpses of Saturday Show in Master Dance Class

MOMIX Dance Troupe Offers Glimpses of Saturday Show in Master Dance Class

Dec. 7, 2007 — From four-year-old ballerinas dressed in light-pink leotards to a well-trained dance teacher at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, on Friday evening, a large range of community members turned out at Reichhold Center for the Arts to take part in a master dance class hosted by a member of the world-renowned MOMIX dance company.
MOMIX, a group of dance-illusionists based out of Washington, Conn., headline at Reichhold Saturday evening as part of the theater's 2007-2008 performance season They treated participants in Friday's workshop to a sneak peek at some of the moves that will be used in their two-part production "Lunar Sea."
Leading the charge Friday was MOMIX dancer Sarah Nachbauer, who got the group warmed up with a variety of full-body stretches that later extended into a graceful set of dance moves set to music.
Members of the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School's dance class were at the front of the group, watching Nachbauer attentively as she moved her body around for the warmups, combining modern-dance moves with classic ballet steps. Nachbauer incorporated some soft music as the group members transformed their stretches into the beginnings of a choreographed piece, and then livened up the theater with some heavy drum-based beats from the rock group the Killers.
Moving in tune with the uptempo rhythm, group members moved their hands and legs faster, bending and sweeping across the stage.
Speaking before the workshop began, Nachbaeur described the company's aesthetic, which she said combines a montage of body imagery, multimedia tools and lighting effects designed to bring two-dimensional images out into a three-dimensional world.
"We try to give a complete feeling of weightlessness, like being in the air or in the water," Nachbaeur said. "We also use costumes a lot, so the audience sees what we want them to see. There's a little bit of trickery and illusion in there."
Looking around the Reichhold's amphitheater, Nachbaeur said she was looking forward to participating in Friday's workshop.
"As an artist, it's kind of like a responsibility for us to pass on all the information we have on how to do this stuff," she said. "Hopefully, everyone that's here will come out with something that inspires them, something that will make them want to do this again. And hopefully they'll have a little fun, too."
Workshops such as Friday's master class are a regular activity at Reichhold, said Karen Gutloff, the center's marketing manager.
"Whenever we have a dance company visit, we like to conduct these kinds of workshops for the students and community members," Gutloff explained. "That way, they can come out and work with top dance instructors, who have all been really happy to do this for the students for free. In addition, the V.I. Council on the Arts, which is one of our sponsors, is purchasing tickets to tomorrow's show for any dance student who may want to go."
However, students must be accompanied by a parent or teacher to take advantage of the offer.
"It's going to be a great performance," Gutloff said. "It's all going to be shot in blacklight, and the dancers will be using their bodies — along with lights, shadows and other special effects — to portray things such as creatures on the moon and in the water. It's really taking dance to a whole new level."
The company's performance of "Lunar Sea," which begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, is sponsored by First Bank, First Insurance, Marriott Frenchman's Reef Resort, V.I. Council on the Arts and Innovative Cable TV.
Tickets for the performance are priced at $20, $36 and $45, and can be purchased at Modern Music, UVI bookstore, V.I. Bridal and Tuxedo, Essentric Shoe Boutique, Island Video in Nisky Center, Home Again in Red Hook and the Reichhold Center Box Office. To purchase tickets at Reichhold, call 693-1559.
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