Bates Dance Festival ends season with three popular programs

The Bates Dance Festival reprises three popular annual offerings as it nears the end of its 2015 season.

The annual Musicians’ Concert, a global mix of music by the remarkable composers and players who support the work of the dance festival, takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar St., Lewiston. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for students.

The Different Voices concerts, showcasing diverse styles and perspectives by visiting choreographers from around the world, take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 6 and 7, in Schaeffer Theatre, 329 College St. Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors and $12 for students.

The Festival Finale presents student dancers of all ages performing contemporary works by festival performers and faculty. Also representing the festival’s Youth Arts Program, the finale takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, in Alumni Gymnasium, 130 Central Ave. Admission is $6, available only in cash sales at the door.

Preceding the finale at 1 p.m. Aug. 8 in Schaeffer Theatre is the annual Young Choreographers / New Works showcase, an informal adjudicated showing of more than 20 new works by talented festival students. Admission is free and audience members are invited to come and go throughout the event.

For information about tickets, please visit the festival website — batesdancefestival.org — or call the Bates box office at 207-786-6161.

The Musicians’ Concert offers a different perspective on creativity at the dance festival. Thoughtful, playful and profound music takes center stage as these extraordinary composers, known for their collaborations with dancers, perform a program of original and improvised works that blend musical styles from around the globe.

The evening features multi-instrumentalists Jesse Manno, Terrence Karn and Shamou, whose collective musical repertory spans Africa, Asia and the Middle East; composer-pianists Peter Jones, Mike Vargas and Carl Landa; electronic music wizard Albert Mathias; and violin prodigy Rob Flax.

Showcasing diverse styles and perspectives, Different Voices features visiting choreographers from across the U.S. and beyond. This eclectic evening includes surprising and innovative dance, music and media works by:

• Bay Area duo Kathleen Hermesdorf and Albert Mathias;
• transnational fusion artist Donna Mejia;
• New York City choreographer and tap artist David Parker;
  Chicago’s acclaimed jazz choreographer Autumn Eckman;
• the remarkable Finnish movement artist Ima Iduozee;
• emerging artists Scotty Hardwig and Keanu Forest Brady;
• and the stunning Bliss Kohlmyer and Kara Davis.

The Festival Finale is a celebration of the next wave of dance luminaries. Students perform a high-energy evening of new works created by faculty members Robert Moses, Rennie Harris, Autumn Eckman, and Claudia Lavista and Omar Carrum. This culmination of the festival’s three-week intensive training program also showcases an original production by talented local youth, ages 7-16, enrolled in the festival’s Youth Arts Program.