Colorado summers absolutely beg for motion. Our state drowns in natural wonders, from craggy peaks to zigzag switchbacks. Remaining sedentary means missing these excellent outdoor opportunities.
Still, one would be forgiven for sitting down to enjoy one of the many dance performances blowing through the state in the next few months. This season’s offerings are as diverse as ever, representing classical ballet, experimental modern styles and straight-up hip-hop.
If you’re really feeling it, you have ample chances to mimic nature’s grace and spontaneity by taking classes yourself. You don’t have to be a preteen girl to get in on the ballet basics, or a streetwise club kid to learn the fundamentals of hip-hop.
From Aspen to Denver and nearly everywhere in between, dance is flowering. Here are just a few of the state’s most tantalizing offerings.
Boulder Hip-Hop Festival, Motion Underground, June 12-June 16|Forget about the East Coast/West Coast beef for a minute and focus on the art form of hip-hop. A who’s who of hip-hop choreographers will blanket Boulder for this festival and competition, including Buddah Stretch (Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey), Moncel Durdon (Wu Tang Clan, Notorious BIG), Lindsey Blaufarb (Jurassic 5, Limp Bizkit) and Boulder’s own Eppie Deleon. It’s $300 for three sessions. Motion Underground’s Summer Dance Camp runs June 19-July 14. 303-786-7660, motionunderground.com.
The 2006 New Works Festival, Perry-Mansfield Main Studio, June 17|Steamboat Springs-based Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp enhances its reputation as the oldest performing arts camp in the country with its annual festival of mixed works. The 2006 edition welcomes the works of choreographer Kristopher Storey with performances by Perry-Manfield’s dance faculty and invited guest artists. $10. 970-879-7125, perry-mansfield.org.
Summer Intensive Program, Colorado Ballet, June 26-July 21|These classes, which run one-to-four weeks, are taught by artistic director and former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Gil Boggs, plus selected dancers from Colorado and Boston. Curriculum includes ballet technique, pointe, pas de deux, jazz, contemporary and various educational seminars. $1,500 for a four-week session, $800 for two-week session. $225 weekly housing fee includes room and board, meals and transportation. 303-339-1623 or coloradoballet.org.
Aspen Dance Festival, Aspen District Theatre, July 21-Aug. 19|Aspen Santa Fe Ballet hosts this reliably eclectic festival, one of summer’s high points in the dance community. This year’s offerings include programs from Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance, Momix, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Ballet West and Aspen Santa Fe. $20-$58, 970-925-6098, aspensantafeballet.org.
Vail International Dance Festival, Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre and Vilar Center for the Arts, July 30-Aug. 13|This reputable festival opens with a bang as legendary opera star and Grammy winner Jessye Norman joins choreographer Trey McIntyre for a tribute to Duke Ellington, “The Diva, The Duke and The Dance,” along with the world premiere of McIntyre’s “Go Out.” A free hip-hop performance on Aug. 1 will be followed on Aug. 2 by the Jeune Ballet du Quebec with their youthful, energetic take on contemporary ballet styles. $14-$85. 888-920-2787, vvf.org/cultural/dancefest.php
“Rewound,” University Theatre and Dance Building at CU-Boulder, Aug. 5|Interweave Dance Theatre presents its 26th annual summer concert, “Rewound,” which looks at the music, fashion and dance of the ’80s. Guest artists from New York, Los Angeles and Seattle will join local performers on stage, followed by a finale featuring over 40 dancers. $17-$23. 303-449-0399, bcn.boulder.co.us/arts/idt/idt.html
Ariel Dance Festival, Dairy Center for the Arts, Aug. 6-18|Boulder’s uniquely aerial Frequent Flyers Productions will conduct its eighth series of classes and performances in this one-of-a-kind festival. Performances by Jacques Bertrand, Fred Deb’, Elsie Smith, Aircat Aerial Arts and Frequent Flyers Productions will round out with a DJ-led Dance Jam on its closing date. $22 general admission, $32 reserved. 303-444-7328 or frequentflyers.org.
“BluePrints,” Chautauqua Summer Festival, Aug. 19-Aug. 20|This Boulder festival will host the world premiere of “BluePrints,” Robert Sher-Machherndl’s celebration of Mozart’s 250th birthday. $26-$32. 303-545-2298, chautauqua.com.
The Denver Independent Choreographers Project, Dairy Center for the Arts, Aug. 21-Aug. 27|Local dance troupe Fragments of Divine will join the Denver Independent Choreographers project as they perform at the annual Boulder Fringe Festival. Shows at the Dairy Center’s main stage are $8 each. 720-971-0392, denvericp.org.
Staff writer John Wenzel can be reached at 303-820-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com.
