The Fifth Annual Percussive Dance Extravaganza presents some yearly favorites, some news twists, dance from a new place with a new group, and a pair of guest artists that add their own spice to the flavor of the music.
Co-director and choreographer Tamara Loewenthal mentions the familiar categories of clogging, flat foot dancing, and step, but adds that the group will also be performing a "sort of choral piece with both foot and body percussion that has a bit of the ‘ham bone' flavor." In addition, "there will be percussion and dance from Latin America with the group Jiridon."
Co-director, composer, and lead fiddler Jamie Gans is especially excited about this year's guests, Bob Lucas and Chris Westhoff. "When you bring in a musician with the depth of experience that Bob has, things change," says Gans. "There will be new pieces and pieces featuring him, but even pieces that we've done before will sound new."