WKU presents ‘Evening of Dance’

Kristina Burton

Russell Miller Theatre will be filled with artistic athletes from April 24 to 28 as the WKU Dance Company performs everything from tap to flamenco during “Evening of Dance.”

Bowling Green senior Hannah Slattery said “Evening of Dance” is the final dance concert of the spring semester for the WKU Dance Company.

“We start preparing the first week of school,” Slattery said.

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“This is the showcase of all the things we’ve been working on — pointe, tap, modern, jazz, flamenco. This is our championship football game It’s what we’ve worked all semester for.”

Lexington junior Nathan Fister describes “Evening of Dance” as a “buffet of dance.”

“It has a little bit of everything,” Fister said. “There’s all different types of dancing with all different types of music. It’s a great way for people who haven’t really seen dance to taste dance and see if they enjoy it.”

Since it’s Slattery’s senior year, “Evening of Dance” marks the last time she gets to perform at WKU.

“I was lucky enough to be approached by one of my teachers about doing a solo, and for the other two pieces I was just cast by other teachers,” Slattery said. “But a solo is something really special I’m getting to do. We started work on it over Christmas break.”

Slattery said her solo piece is going to feature a live singer and pianist.

“We don’t often get the opportunity to collaborate with other artists,” Slattery said. “It changes the feel of the piece and takes it to another level.”

Fister said a highlight of preparing for “Evening of Dance” has been working with his dance partner.

“It’s our first time working together,” Fister said. “We’ve gotten to know each other a lot better and have a really good bond and partnership so we can have a good performance on stage.”

Slattery hopes for a big crowd at “Evening of Dance” with a wide variety of people.

“I love when students who don’t ordinarily come to these shows come out and see a lot of talented artists,” Slattery said. “We train and work just as hard as the athletes on campus. We have class and rehearsal all day every day in preparation for performances.”

Fister echoed Slattery’s sentiments.

“We’re artists but also athletes,” he said. “It takes a lot to rehearse all day since January for this one show. We want the community to take in what we do. It’s pretty and nice onstage, but it takes a lot of hard work to look effortless.”

Slattery said there is definitely something for everyone in “Evening of Dance”.

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“There are so many different genres and feels,” Slattery said. “’Pop Culture’, which closes the show…there is no way to not enjoy watching that piece. There’s passionate movement to it and we dance to Rihanna and Britney Spears.”

Fister said “Evening of Dance” is going to be a really enjoyable night.

“It’s not a long program,” Fister said. “It’s a great night to enjoy dance and enjoy what we want to give to the audience.”

“Evening of Dance” will be presented at 8 p.m. April 24-26, 3 p.m. April 27 and 8 p.m. April 28 in the Russell Miller Theatre in WKU’s fine arts center. Tickets are $12 and are available at wku.showare.com or by calling the box office at 270-745-3121.