Pam Griswold
Published: August 23, 2005
A male dance team known as the Fly Dance Company is among the performers coming to PJC this fall as part of the Lyceum arts series.
On Saturday, Oct. ÿ8, the Fly Dance Company will put their moves on the Ashmore Auditorium. ÿMembers of the all-male dance team range in age from 22 to 26.
The Fly Dance Company was formed after choreographer Kathy Wood met a team of street dancers in 1993. They provided the inspiration for her to incorporate hip-hop movement with classical pieces by the famous composer Vivaldi.
The dancers, who have entertained audiences from Paris to Mexico, describe their show as “youthful, energy, risk-taking movement and clever choreography to surprising musical selections.” ÿÿ
Later in October, opera singer Antonio Giuliano ÿwill return to PJC.
“In 2002, Giuliano’s performances sold out,” ÿsaid Lyceum secretary Larissa Hammond.
Giuliano, a former PJC student, sang at President Ronald Reagan’s funeral and has been featured as “the opera singer from the U.S. Army” on “The CBS Evening News.” He will perform in the Ashmore on Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22.
In the spring term, the Lyceum series kicks off Jan. 12 with The Golden Dragon Acrobats, described by some as “the world’s leading Chinese acrobatic troupe.” The show will start at 8 p.m. in the Saenger Theatre downtown.
The Golden Dragon athletes, actors, and artists carry on the traditions set forth by their ancestors more than 27 centuries ago. The troupe, led by impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang, have performed in impressive locations such ÿas the Kennedy Center and Caesar’s Palace. ÿ
Later in the term, on April 3, the Langston Hughes Project will come to campus. This multimedia presentation is designed to let the audience experience “the mood of the Harlem Renaissance,” a flowering of African-American arts in the 1920s.
“This performance is for anyone who is interested in jazz history, not just the Harlem Renaissance,” Lyceum Director Stan Dean said. ÿ
Langston Hughes was known for his ability to fuse “jazz and blues with traditional verse.” His poetry will be performed by spoken word artist John Wright to the sounds of a live jazz quartet under the direction of composer Ron ÿMcCurdy. Images of the Harlem Renaissance on display during this performance “bring Hughes’s text vividly to life.”
Other performers coming ÿto the campus include award-winning soprano Sari Gruber (March 4) as well as the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra (March 29), which consists of “20 or more members, making it the largest chamber performance in the history of the Ashmore Auditorium,” Dean said.
Admission to Lyceum events is free to students and staff with advance tickets. Otherwise, general admission is usually $8 ($6 for seniors and children). For the Antonio Giuliano event, general admission is $12, and no free tickets will be available for the Oct. 21 performance.
Students and staff with I.D.s can pick up tickets at the Lyceum office in the annex to the Ashmore Auditorium (building 8). For more details, call 484-1847.