Newsroom: 2006-2007 Season

Press Releases for the 2006-07 Season
(View news for current season)

• Eisenhower Dance Ensemble To Bring a Little Bit of Motown to Traverse City
• The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble Center for Dance Celebrates 11 Years in Rochester Hills and 3 years in Birmingham
• Eisenhower Dance Ensemble's Holiday Concert Offers Fantasy, Humor and Song
• Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and Houston Metropolitan Dance Company are "On the Move" at Oakland University's Varner Recital Hall
• Eisenhower Dance Ensemble's Announces Its 16th Season
• Eisenhower Dance Ensemble to Conduct Choreographic Residency and Perform at Western Illinois University

 

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble To Bring a Little Bit of Motown to Traverse City

Rochester Hills, MI: > Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE) will bring a little bit of Motown to Traverse City when it performs "Motown In Motion and Other Dances," a production celebraing the music that rocked the Motor City and made Motown Records an American icon. The concert will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 7:30 pm at the City Opera House. Call 231-941-8082 for tickets. The production of "Motown In Motion" was made possible through the generous support of the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs. This appearance in Traverse City is part of a Kalkaska School District residency program.

"Motown in Motion" is a series of short works each set to a Motown song. The company will perform to selections from The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vendellas, and Diana Ross and the Supremes. Local students from Birch Street Elementary School will perform with the company. Playful, humorous, and theatrical, the production will have audiences dancing in their seats. An impressive roster of nationally and internationally respected choreographers, including Joel Hall, Stephen Koester, Lindsey Thomas, Gregory Patterson, and EDE artistic director Laurie Eisenhower, created the dances.

In addition to Motown, the program will include other repertory, including Wanting, with choreography by Laurie Eisenhower set to music by Bela Bartok, among others.

Artistic director Laurie Eisenhower founded Eisenhower Dance Ensemble in the summer of 1991, in metropolitan Detroit. The company is dedicated to the performance of a diverse range of contemporary dance works, and is considered one of the finest professional contemporary dance companies in the United States. EDE has toured theatres across the United States, and internationally in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2003, Ms. Eisenhower received an Artserve Michigan Governor's Award for Arts and Culture.

For more information about EDE or the EDE Center for Dance, please call 248.852.5850 or visit www.ede-dance.org.

 

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The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble Center for Dance Celebrates 11 Years in Rochester Hills and 3 years in Birmingham

Rochester Hills: > The EDE Center for Dance, based in Rochester Hills is celebrating 11 years of Dance Education Excellence in the greater Rochester Area. Michigan's premier contemporary dance company, the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE), opened the doors to the EDE Center for Dance in 1995 as a base for the company's education and community outreach programs. Since that time the Center has developed a comprehensive program of dance classes for children and adults in Ballet, Modern, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop and Creative Movement/Tumbling.

The EDE Center offers classes for the recreational dancer as well as a professional-track training program for the more dedicated dancer. Registration is now open for the 2006-2007 season and classes begin in early September. EDE Center classes are held at 1541 W. Hamlin Road in Rochester Hills and at 1516 S. Cranbrook Road in Birmingham (at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.) Call 248.852.5850 or visit www.ede-dance.org for registration and schedule details.

The EDE Center professional-track program includes four student companies that provide students with performing opportunities in the community and with the EDE professional company. Along with the Center's heavy emphasis on dance technique, these experiences give students solid preparation for becoming a dance professional. Many EDE Center alumni have directly transitioned into well-respected college dance programs, such as at Oakland University, University of Michigan, Western Michigan, Fort Wayne Ballet Conservatory, North Carolina School of the Arts, and The Juilliard School, among others.

In May 2006, the EDE Center's most advanced student company, Center Dance Ensemble, had the honor of performing at the gala concert of the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. Performers for this annual gala are selected through adjudication of young dancers from throughout Michigan. This season, along with performing preludes to EDE professional concerts, the student companies will perform for Gilda's Club of Detroit and for several local assisted living facilities.

As a non-profit cultural organization, EDE's mission is to foster the appreciation of dance as an art form by providing the highest quality instruction to students of any age taught by a team of established professional dancers. The EDE Center staff is composed of former and current EDE professional dancers and highly skilled degreed dance professionals.

In the Center's 11 years of existence they have developed successful community outreach programs at the Detroit Skating Club, the Jewish Community Center of West Bloomfield and Oak Park. Most recently they have set up a full schedule of classes with a second location at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC). Now in it's third year the BBAC program has doubled in enrollment and continues to grow. The collaboration with the BBAC is exciting because it allows EDE to reach even more of the Metro Detroit area with their philosophy of teaching the Art of Dance and the Science of Movement. For more information please call 248.852.5850 or visit www.ede-dance.org.

 

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Eisenhower Dance Ensemble's Holiday Concert Offers Fantasy, Humor and Song

Rochester Hills, MI: > Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE), Michigan's premiere contemporary dance company, will offer the audience a lively mix of fantasy, humor and song in a spirited holiday performance, titled "The Snow Queen and Other Dances," on Sunday, December 9, 2006 at 8:00pm at the Lake Orion Performing Arts Center. The program is a family-friendly concert, appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $15 (with a student price of $10) and can be purchased by calling (248) 559-2095.

The showpiece of the evening will be The Snow Queen, loosely based on the famous story by Hans Christian Anderson and choreographed by EDE Artistic Director, Laurie Eisenhower. Says Eisenhower: "Rather than act out the traditional story, I have choreographed a simple love story around the fairytale's main characters. The music by British composer David Lyon is beautiful, the set and costumes are delightful, and the dancing is moving and fun. I think the audience will thoroughly enjoy this production and it will be a great way to start the holiday season!" Oakland University Repertory Dance Company will perform with the EDE dancers for this piece.

EDE will also perform a new work from Ms. Eisenhower titled Scherzo set to the music of Franz Schubert. Holiday Suite, a festive series of dance vignettes, is also on the program. It includes dancers from the EDE Center for Dance in choreography by Stephanie Pizzo, Carissa Wong and Darby Wilde. The concert will also include guest performances by the Oakland University Repertory Dance Company and the Lake Orion High School Choir.

Laurie Eisenhower founded the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble in the summer of 1991 in metropolitan Detroit. A professional repertory company that tours nationally, EDE has received critical acclaim along with enthusiastic audience support. The EDE concert series is supported, in part, by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

 

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Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and Houston Metropolitan Dance Company are "On the Move" at Oakland University's Varner Recital Hall

Rochester Hills, MI: > Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE), Michigan's premier contemporary dance company, opens its sixteenth subscription season on October 28th, 2006 in a joint concert with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. The performance will take place at 8:00 pm at Oakland University's Varner Recital Hall in Rochester, MI. The performance is being presented by Oakland University's Department of Music, Theater and Dance, with support from Merrill Lynch and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The On the Move concert is an annual event where EDE shares the stage with a guest company. Later in the year, EDE will go "on the move" and travel to Houston to share a performance. Founder and Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower said, "It's a great way to have new audiences see both companies. It has been very valuable for Oakland University and Detroit communities to be able to see this annual event of new dance."

At the concert, EDE will perform the Detroit premiere of Wanting, choreographed by Laurie Eisenhower using the music of Bartok and the Kronos Quartet, among others. The work explores the relationship between human needs and desires - especially selfish desires that push the boundaries of what is healthy for society. Ceilidh, is set to contemporary Scottish music and is Laurie Eisenhower's "Anti-Riverdance dance." Rather than being light on their feet, her choreography requires the five dancers to get "down and dirty." Motomix, an excerpt from the newly mounted production of EDE's critically acclaimed Motown in Motion, features the choreography of Joel Hall set to Motown favorites.

Since its founding in 1995, the versatile Houston Metropolitan Dance Company has presented contemporary dance that draws on jazz, ballet, modern, tap, and hip hop. Using music that ranges from Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar to Patsy Cline and Jude, Houston presents works choreographed by a diverse list of choreographers including Eddy Ocampo, Charlotte Griffin and Katarzyna Skarpetowska, among others. For more information, please visit http://www.houstonmetdance.com.

 

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Eisenhower Dance Ensemble's Announces Its 16th Season

Rochester Hills, MI: > Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE), Michigan's premier contemporary dance company, will perform four concerts during its 2006-2007 season that promise to include something for everyone. EDE is a professional repertory company based in Rochester Hills, Michigan that has earned overwhelming critical acclaim along with enthusiastic audience support since its founding 16 years ago.

The EDE 2006-2007 local subscription concert schedule is:

For its season opener, On the Move, EDE will join forces with the highly acclaimed Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. The Houston Met is at the forefront of a new direction in dance incorporating the grace and beauty of ballet, the strength and emotion of modern, and the innovation and energy of jazz. This combined performance will occur on Saturday, October 28, at 8 pm at Oakland University's Varner Recital Hall in Rochester, MI. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for students. Call the Box Office at 248-370-3013 for tickets.

On December 9 at 8 pm, join EDE for its enchanting production of The Snow Queen, loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson's delightful tale. Set to a wonderful score by David Lyon, the production manages to be simultaneously surreal, fun and fantastic. The concert also includes seasonal favorites with guest performances by the Oakland University Repertory Dance Company, the EDE Center for Dance student companies and the Lake Orion High School Choir. This concert will be held at the Lake Orion Performing Arts Center (Lake Orion, MI). Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for students. The Box Office is at 248-559-2095.

On Saturday, March 17, 2007 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts (Clinton Township, MI), Eisenhower Dance Ensemble will present A Soldier's Tale with choreography by Bill DeYoung, known for his passionate choreography and powerful ability to engage both dancers and audiences. Igor Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat provides the music for this breathtaking multi-media performance based on the timeless Faust legend and Russian folk tales. This program also includes a premiere by artistic director Laurie Eisenhower. Tickets are $30 Gold Circle, $25 adult, and $18 student/senior. Contact the Box Office at 586-286-2222.

For the season finale, EDE returns to the Troy School District to present NewDANCEfest V, a breathtaking program of new and favorite repertory including premiere work by guest choreographers. Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower has choreographed a new work that will debut at this performance. Eisenhower said, "This annual showcase of choreography has become a "must see" event. I'm thrilled we can bring new chorography to our audience -- that's what keeps EDE fresh and exciting." The performance will occur at 7:30 pm on April 20, 2007 in the Troy High School Auditorium (Troy, MI). Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for students. Phone 248-559-2095 to purchase tickets.

Laurie Eisenhower founded the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble in the summer of 1991 in metropolitan Detroit. Many critics now consider it to be one of the finest contemporary dance companies in the Midwest. EDE's concert schedule has taken it to theatres throughout the United States as well as a tour to St. Petersburg, Russia. For more information about EDE, please call 248/852-5850

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Eisenhower Dance Ensemble to Conduct Choreographic Residency and Perform at Western Illinois University

Rochester Hills, MI: > Laurie Eisenhower, founder and Artistic Director of the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (EDE), Michigan's premier contemporary dance company, will conduct a choreographic residency at Western Illinois University September 18-23, 2006. She'll be joined by EDE, her company based in Rochester, Michigan, for a performance on September 23. This is the fourth time Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower has set a work on the WIU students and the third time EDE has performed at the university. The Western Illinois Dance Company will perform Songs Without Words, choreographed by Eisenhower, during the concert on September 23.

"I'm very excited about returning to WIU. I always look forward to working with the WIU students and performing for the Macomb community," said Eisenhower.

For the performance, EDE will perform Stop, choreographed by Laurie Eisenhower and set to the music of the Tin Hat Trio. This physically demanding dance for six dancers uses a blend of folk and modern dance forms to bring a melodic, rhythmic and exciting performance to the stage.

The program will also include the premiere of Wanting, a dance choreographed by Eisenhower using the music of Bartok and the Kronos Quartet, among others. The work explores the relationship between human needs and desires - especially selfish desires that push the boundaries of what is healthy for society.

Ceilidh is set to contemporary Scottish music and is Laurie Eisenhower's "anti-Riverdance dance." Rather than being light on their feet, her choreography for this piece requires the five dancers to get "down and dirty." Motomix, an excerpt from the newly mounted production of the critically acclaimed Motown in Motion, features the choreography of Joel Hall set to Motown favorites: Quiet Storm by Smokey Robinson, Signed, Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder, and Celebrate by Rare Earth.

The audience will get involved in Process of Elimination and Dance Along with Mitch, a fun diversion choreographed by Mitchell Rose, known as the dance world's Woody Allen. The work is a comedic solo performed by Laurie Eisenhower that requires audience participation. It promises to be entertaining and lots of fun.

According to Eisenhower, "I hope people will come out to see the performance. It will be an exciting evening, with a variety of different dance styles - from comedy to drama, from modern to jazz. There is something for everyone on the program."

Laurie Eisenhower received her BA and MFA degrees in Dance from Arizona State University. In the early years of her career, she performed with various dance companies and choreographers, including Chen and Dancers, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, David Parsons, Harry Streep III, and Mel Wong.

Ms Eisenhower began setting her work on professional dancers in 1981 and has had her choreography performed by the companies of Desert Dance Theatre and Semaphor Dance Works of Phoenix, Harbinger Dance Company and More Dance Company of Detroit, Baker's Half Dozen in New York, Two Rivers Dance Company of Illinois, Local Motion in Oklahoma, and numerous college and university dance companies.

She formed the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble in 1991. With the help of committed and talented dancers, EDE has become the premier contemporary dance company in Michigan. A professional repertory company, which tours nationally, EDE has received critical acclaim and enthusiastic support from audiences throughout the United States.