TORONTO, March 29, 2001 -- The York Dance Ensemble, York University’s spirited repertory company, takes to the du Maurier stage April 11 and 12 for its annual showcase spotlighting outstanding young performers on the brink of their professional careers.

Under the artistic direction of York dance professor, choreographer and performer Sara Porter, the concert will introduce three new works created especially for the Ensemble. Porter’s "Confusion Quartet" presents a comic and tender mixture of movement and text that questions assumptions about dance. "Zephiro", by Porter’s faculty colleague Darcey Callison, is a sextet expressing images of the wind. Also premiering is "Helicon", a piece set on the entire 13-member ensemble by independent choreographer Michael Sean Marye.

Restagings of challenging repertory by Porter and guest choreographers round out the program. Porter has contributed Once around the Barn, set to banjo music and featuring a boisterous quartet of cowgirls. Also featured are works by two York alumni: Colleen Friedman's engaging romp Off-Key, in which an irrepressible group of party girls goes a little off-kilter, and Denise Duric's lyrical duet Promenade.

Now in its 13th season, the York Dance Ensemble showcases the talents of student performers, creative artists and production crew in the Department of Dance at York University. Over the years, the Ensemble has worked with many leading Canadian and international artists. With repertory ranging from modern dance classics to original and experimental works commissioned for the company, the Ensemble maintains an active regional touring program alongside its regular Toronto performances. Currently, the company is led by co-artistic directors Holly Small and Sara Porter.

The York Dance Ensemble showcase runs for two performances only, Wed. Apr. 11 and Thurs. Apr. 12 at 8:00 p.m. in the du Maurier Theatre Centre at Harbourfront, 235 Queen’s Quay West. Admission is $12, students/seniors $8. Box Office: 416-973-4000.

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For more information, please contact:

Brigitte Kleer
Public Relations Manager, Faculty of Fine Arts
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 77143
bkleer@yorku.ca