Summer dance performances mimic the energy, light and variety of the season. The slate isn’t as full as during many companies’ fall-to-spring seasons, but the ethnic festivals and variety of lessons give die-hards their fix while keeping dancers busy.
From quiet, reserved pieces to exuberant ensembles, here are a few of the best offerings of the season.
An Evening of Percussive Dance.National champion choreographers and dancers unite in Fort Collins to showcase their clogging, flamenco, tap, Irish and other ethnic dances. The high- energy “a cappella” program presents an overview of classic forms and more modern takes. Featuring High Country Cloggers. Friday-Saturday, Lincoln Center, $12-$16, 970-221-6735 or
Danse Etoile Ballet’s “Soirée.” Artistic director Marie-Jose Payannet premieres new works during this evening of dance, music, theater and joie de vivre. The all-ages show ties such disparate threads as Irish step dancers and singers, Russian folk dancing and music from “Carmen.” Boulder’s Dairy Center for the Arts, Friday-June 10, $12- $18, 303-444-7328,
Gabriel Masson Intensive. This CU-Boulder program for intermediate and advanced dancers covers modern dance technique. Monday-June 15, $12-$90, 303-492-2867, toby.hankin@colorado.edu.
Kim Robards Dance. This award-winning company holds its Summer Dance Intensive and Company Project in June. It’s a two-week workshop for selected national dancers. Modern techniques, ballet and special seminar classes are open to the public June 11-22. Studio performance June 22, with a lecture/demonstration at Lone Tree Recreation Center Aug. 5. $15 classes, $5-$8 performance, KRD Dance Loft, 1379 S. Inca St., 303-825-4847, kimrobardsdance.org
Colorado Hip-Hop Festival. Boulder-based Motion Underground hosts its fifth annual confab of top hip-hop choreographers, including Buddah Stretch (who has worked with Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey) and Moncell Durden (Wu Tang Clan, Notorious BIG). June 12-16, $350 for three sessions. Summer Dance Camp runs June 18-July 13. 303-786-7660, motionunderground.com.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. This company’s 13th annual International Summer Dance Institute bursts with the variety of modern, West African, hip- hop, jazz, ballet, Afro-Cuban and capoeira styles being taught. June 18-July 21. Prices vary, 303-295-1759, cleoparkerdance.org.
Colorado Ballet Summer Intensive. Students 12 and over with at least three years’ experience can take this two- to four-week class, which culminates with a performance. Faculty includes Vyacheslav Mesropov of The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and Colorado Ballet artistic director Gil Boggs, among many others. June 25-July 20, $800- $1,500, 303-339-1623, coloradoballet.com.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. This respected company’s annual summer sizzler at the Hotel Jerome on July 10 – this year’s theme is “Casablanca” – benefits the ballet, its school and Aspen Dance Festival. The company will also hold its first performance at the Benedict Music Tent in Aspen with “Left Unsaid,” by Nicolo Fonte, and “Pointeoff,” by Jorma Elo, on July 16, 970-925-7175, aspensantafeballet.com.
Vail International Dance Festival. Pacific Northwest Ballet kicks off this year’s edition at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail and the Vilar Center for the Arts in Beaver Creek with a trio of performances. DanceBrazil, Ballroom’s Best and Royal Ballet are just of few of other companies represented. July 29-Aug. 11, various locations, $50-$475, 970-949-1999,
Aerial Dance Festival 2007. Boulder’s unique Frequent Flyers Productions will conduct its ninth series of classes and shows in this one-of-a-kind festival. Performances by Jacques Bertrand, David Clarkson, Valerie Claymore and Nancy Smith are at Boulder’s Dairy Center for the Arts. Aug. 5-Aug. 17, prices vary, 303-245-8272, frequentflyers.org.
Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet. Choreographer Robert Sher-Machherndl premieres “Project Peace” at the Chautauqua Summer Series Aug. 11-12. Heavy hitters Minna Tervamäki and Susan Jaffe will fly to Boulder to collaborate. Chautauqua Summer Series, $25-$70, 303-440-7666,
Cuban Dance Festival. Celebrate Afro-Cuban culture by learning the rumba, congo, mambo and more from Miami-based IFÉ-ILÉ Afro-Cuban Dance & Music. Instructors include Neri Torres, Ezequiel Torres and Yanitzia Mizrahi. Dance and drumming classes, film and more. Aug. 31-Sept. 2, CU-Boulder Theatre Building, $12-$30, 303-492-2867, colorado.edu/theatredance.
Staff writer John Wenzel can be reached at 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com.
