One of the best indicators of spring in the city is the annual dance event, Trip The Light – an annual contemporary dance showcase event presented by Dance in the Annex (DITA), loosely composed around a theme and then executed under the direction of DITA's founder and artistic director Amy Wilson.
And yet when we roll around to spring 2015, Trip The Light will be no more, as Wilson after five years is announcing that this is the last one.
The theme for the fifth outing is Trip The Light: kiss the sky and will feature all the wonderful aspects this modern dance showcase has produced over the years with its nod to our local music scene. Trip also integrates beautifully within this multimedia-heavy event so many genres and practices that you will not believe the pacing of this show.
"Trip The Light: kiss the sky features nearly 50 artists, from musicians to dancers, choreographers to videographers, to express locally created, original work - in otherwise unorthodox collaboration," says Wealthy Theatre Director Erin Wilson, who is married to Amy.
And lest you think that Trip is the end of DITA, then you have never met Amy Wilson, who hints that this departure is actually the chance to arrive at something new at a later date.
"I have heard from patrons of our previous Trip events that the experience is like no other: a wild ride and a shared experience," says Amy Wilson, who is often on stage for most of the night or between costume changes backstage. "We want to examine that (experience), take it apart - and in the future reassemble it in a new way."
So while Trip is ending its run, DITA will continue to evolve their troupe in a new direction as well as push the dance community as they have so wonderfully since they began this series.
"This all-volunteer effort has production value that exceeds many events with $25 or $50 ticket prices," says Erin Wilson of what they have launched on the Wealthy Theatre stage, "but real art belongs to the people and thanks to the support of small and large businesses, the ticket price for Trip is within reach for many."
But do not delay purchasing a ticket for Trip, as this event will sell out.
Appearing in the Founders Brewing Company presents Trip The Light: kiss the sky will be Amy Wilson with expunk; Hannah Sullivan with Ghost Heart; Jessica Bonenfant Coogan with Frenchie Perlis; and Amy Wilson and Darlene Ya with Josh Dunigan.
Guest choreographers and musician collaborations within the program will feature works by Michael Parmelee (Kalamazoo, MI), Sight/Sound Jessica Loosenort (GVSU student choreographer), Vox Vidorra. Special Collaboration features Hannah Sullivan, Mary Jo Masters, Lisa Fogle Sachs and musician Casey Stratton in a piece based on Roberta King's newly released book, “He Plays a Harp.”
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