Giordano Dance Chicago, one of America’s finest jazz dance companies, will be performing for the Hillsdale community Sept. 14 in Markel Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The show will include two new works, “Flickers” by Marinda Davis and “Soul” by Ray Leeper, as well as other signature pieces.
GDC was founded over fifty years ago by Gus Giordano, a leader in developmental jazz dance, and creator of the Giordano technique — choreography highlighting strength, control, and the use of space — that is still practiced today. His daughter Nan Giordano assumed directorship of the company in 1983, and has helped her father’s vision of passionate, inspiring dance reach 27 countries, 46 states, and over 1,200 cities.
GDC is coming as part of the Hillsdale College Professional Artist Series.
Holly Hobbs, assistant professor of dance at Hillsdale, explained why she chose to invite Giordano.
“The Professional Artists Series at the college seeks to bring professional performing artists to our population here at Hillsdale, so that we can have exposure to what professionals in the field are doing, and what a professional dance tour looks like,” Hobbs said.
GDC will also be doing a master class with Hillsdale’s dance students on Sept. 13.
Phoebe Fink, a member of Tower Dancers who is minoring in dance, studied the Giordano technique at the American Dance Association Conference last spring. Fink said she looks forward to taking the master class with GDC.
“I’m excited to learn the technique, but this time from actual performers and company members,” Fink said.
Audience members can expect a highly energetic show performed to a variety of musical genres, Hobbs added.
In “Flickers” the dancers will form architectural structures. “Soul” will feature Tina Turner’s “Rollin’ in the River,” and dancers will come into the aisles, emphasizing the give and take of power between men and women.
“You’ll see the human body pushed to extremes, in a good way!” Hobbs said. “It will be an uplifting performance.”
Hobbs said GDC is a great dance performance to see if you have never attended a dance concert before.
“I think it will be a very enjoyable program. And I think it’s important as a part of a liberal arts education to have a variety of experiences, and I feel dance should be part of that,” Hobbs said.
Fink agreed.
“If you only go to once dance-related performance in your entire life, let it be this,” Fink said. “Seriously, it will be incredibly entertaining.”
Admission is free but tickets are required. To reserve tickets, contact boxoffice@hillsdale.edu.