The Contemporary Dance Ensemble of Fresno State is currently performing “This Is NOT The Tony Bennett Concert” for both a public audience and Fresno State students.
The performance is being held on Feb. 21-25 at 8 p.m. The concert will be presented in the John Wright Theater located inside the Speech Arts Building on campus.
Kenneth Balint is the artistic director behind the performance with the help of guest choreographers Cheryl Kershaw and Mary Fitzgerald. Balint created two pieces for the show, “I Was Daydream, But My Mind Kept Wandering” and “This Is NOT The Tony Bennett Concert.”
“This concert has many meanings to me,” said Balint. “At the forefront, it is an incredible accumulation of student work, training, talent, drive and performance that all comes together and is presented to the public for their enjoyment both as art and entertainment.”
His guest choreographers each created a piece such as Kershaw’s “Unwinding Time,” which is accompanied by musician Krista Riggs and Fitzgerald’s “Borders Between Us.” Fresno State student Fumihiro Kikuchi also worked on a dance piece for the show “Precious Moments.”
The Contemporary Dance Ensemble practices for its performance during its regularly scheduled class, Dance 163. All the students in the class make up the Contemporary Dance Ensemble and are taught to create and participate in various performances.
“Dance 163 features opportunities for the students to not only work with Fresno State faculty such as myself, but both nationally and internationally known guest choreographers as well,” Balint said
After numerous days of practice they were ready to perform, having done so this past weekend.
“I really enjoyed the show,” concert attendee Esther Melero said. “All their hard efforts came through and captivated the audience. I look forward to attending more of these talented students’ performances.”
“The concert provided a variety of different shows,” community member John Ortiz said. “It showed off the dancers’ talent. To learn so much and remember it was fascinating and the work of the choreographers was great.”
Tickets can be purchased either at the ticket booth at the Speech Arts Building or online. Tickets cost $10 for Fresno State students $15 for Fresno State faculty and staff, alumni, seniors and military and $17 for general admission.
There is also a student discount for any Fresno State student enrolled in a dance class for the spring 2012 semester. Tickets can be purchased at $5 a ticket or two for $10 with a special code given by their teacher.