Six Yale dance companies will join forces to present a benefit performance for four local charitable organizations on Saturday, Nov. 1. Titled "Stand Up and Dance," the event will be held at 8 p.m. in Woolsey Hall, corner of College and Grove streets.
All proceeds from the performance will go to the New Haven Boys and Girls Club, which runs after-school and evening programs for city youths; the New Haven Homeless Resource Center, the only comprehensive day center for the city's homeless community; AIDS Interfaith Network, which provides care for people living with AIDS and offers AIDS education programs; and City Spirit Artists Inc., an arts and social service agency that provides access to the arts for people who otherwise might not have the opportunity.
"We want to give something back to the community," says Marc Jacobson, a dance enthusiast who organized the benefit performance.
A history major, Mr. Jacobson is an active member of the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project and a volunteer for the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen. Although not a dancer himself, he became interested in the art form through his sister, Loren, a 1996 graduate of Yale College, and decided to combine performance with community service by creating the Nov. 1 show.
"Stand Up and Dance" will feature separate performances by SUPADUPA fLY (SDf), Yaledancers, A Different Drum, TAPS, Danceworks and Rhythmic Blue, as well as one dance featuring all the ensembles.
The newest of the groups, SDf was established this fall and performs hip-hop dances representing urban cultures from around the world. For the concert, SDf will present a performance piece set to Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot's "I Can't Stand the Rain (Supadupa Fly)."
In contrast, Yaledancers is one of the oldest troupes on campus, dating back to the 1970s, as well as one of the largest, with
25 to 30 members. Its style combines classical ballet with lyrical modern technique. Yaledancers will present four pieces: a balletic work choreographed by Elizabeth Vacco and set to Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1; a Bobby McFerrin song,
"Of Violet and Fibers on Fierce Velvet with Passion," choreographed with modern African influences; and an interpretation of Marc Cohn's song, "Walking in Memphis."
A Different Drum, established in 1996, incorporates ballet, tap, jazz, theatrical, Indian and Russian folk, modern, improvisation and hip hop. Dancers from the 21-member group will perform the song mixed by Bally Sago, "Choli ke piche" (roughly translated: "What's under your skirt?"), fusing hip-hop and Indian motifs; a modern narrative interpretation of Paul Simon's "I Know What I Know"; and a new work with a Latin beat.
TAPS, founded in 1995, has about 20 tappers. Their repertoire includes jump-ropes, elements of Scottish folkdance, hip hop, jazz, and unaccompanied dance in which the rhythmic footwork provides the music.
Danceworks, a 12-year-old troup, presents energetic works in a variety of styles. Rhythmic Blue specializes in R&B, hip-hop and jazz.
Tickets are $6 for students; $12 for non-students. For further information, contact Marc Jacobson at 436-1190.