Folklorico Makes its Debut in Pima Dance’s “On the Rise,” Dec 1-2
TUCSON, AZ– Pima Dance Ensemble, under the direction of LeighAnn Rangel Sotomayor, presents “On the Rise” on Dec 1 & 2 at 7 p.m. at Pima Community College - Center for the Arts. “On the Rise” is a compilation of student, faculty, and guest choreography produced during the Fall Semester.
What: Pima Dance presents On the Rise
Where: Pima Community College Center for the Arts, 2202 West Anklam Rd. Tucson, AZ
When: Dec 1 & 2, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $10 with discounts available. Free for Pima students. The box office is open Tuesday - Friday 12-5 p.m. and one hour prior to performances. 520-206-6986, centerforthearts@pima.edu, pima.edu/arts.
Ballet Tucson’s Jennifer Holoubek and Claire Elise Hancock, University of Arizona dance alum and co-founder/co-director of Tucson’s former Artifact Dance Project, will present original works commissioned for the Pima Dance Ensemble. Dance Ensemble members will also present an array of student choreography featuring hip hop, contemporary, and Latin dance. Pima’s new ballet folklórico class, instructed by Bruno Loya, will showcase one dance from their class this semester. “On the Rise” will also welcome work from Tucson High’s Ballet Folklórico Los Tucsonenses, Breakout Studio’s Life Moves Dance Company (Friday night only), Tucson Casineros (Saturday night only) and Arizona Folklórico Dance Company (Saturday night only)
"On the Rise” pays special tribute to the Tucson dance community’s rich Latin American influences. Bruno Loya’s Mexican folklórico choreography will be featured by his Pima dance students, his Tucson High students, as well as his own studio, Arizona Folklórico Dance Company. Pima international student, Daniel Avila, brings a taste of his Ecuadorian roots to Dance Ensemble with his choreography featuring popular Latin rhythms. Daniel will also perform in Tucson Casineros, a Cuban salsa dance company, during Saturday night's performance.
“I want to build a stronger connection to Tucson’s talented and eclectic dance community for our Pima students,” says LeighAnn Sotomayor, Pima’s Dance Lead and Director of Dance Ensemble, “by introducing them to a wide variety of dance styles and opportunities. We are super excited to present our new ballet folklórico class this semester, as well as our inaugural professional choreographers series, including Claire Hancock’s lively large ensemble dance, set to an original score by Vincent Calianno, and Jennifer Holoubek’s quartet for four women in flowing royal blue skirts. Daniel Avila also had an extensive dance career in Ecuador, and he happens to be here at Pima studying in our construction program. Additionally, we want to connect our students to our local dance companies, like BreakOut Studio’s Life Moves Dance Company, so they are aware of additional dance opportunities in the community. Moreover, our student choreographers are producing some really fun and creative work. I am excited to showcase their talents in December.”
The Pima Dance Ensemble provides dancers with the opportunity to perform, choreograph, and participate in a wide range of dance experiences. The Dance Ensemble produces two concerts annually.
Pima Dance offers technique classes in ballet, jazz, modern, and new this fall semester, ballet folklórico. Students are also encouraged to participate in Pima Dance Ensemble, Pima Dance Club, Pima Theatre productions and community dance productions.
CONTACTS:
Carina Garcia, Marketing and Publicity Coordinator
Arts Division - Pima Community College
clisalda@pima.edu, 520-206-3062
LeighAnn Rangel Sotomayor, Dance Discipline Lead/Dance Ensemble Director
lrangel@pima.edu, 520-405-4138