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TBAC presents Eisenhower Dance Detroit Saturday

Preshow begins at 7 p.m. featuring 50 local students

Courtesy Photo Thunder Bay Arts Council presents Eisenhower Dance Detroit Saturday at Alpena High School.

A prestigious professional dance company will take the stage Saturday at Stanley C. Beck Auditorium, but they are not the only ones displaying their talents that night. Prior to the 7:30 p.m. professional show, 50 local dance students will perform at 7 p.m., using skills they learned in two free master dance classes, made possible by a generous grant from the Youth Advisory Council. Stephanie Pizzo, creative director of Eisenhower Dance Detroit, will lead the student dancers in the preshow performance.

Those wishing to attend the preshow are encouraged to arrive at 6:45 p.m. when doors open at Alpena High School.

After the student preshow, Eisenhower Dance Detroit will begin its contemporary dance performance, proudly presented by Thunder Bay Arts Council. This single performance will be Eisenhower’s first visit to Alpena in more than a decade. Bringing in such a talented company is a large undertaking for the council, which urges all of its patrons, supporters, and dance enthusiasts across the area to warmly welcome the Detroit dance company.

“Our hope is that in bringing these types of acts to Alpena, we are exposing residents and the youth of Alpena to what you can do,” said Susan Stacey, TBAC board vice president and chairman of the performance committee.

She said it takes a year of planning to bring in world-renowned performers to Alpena, and that the TBAC has a passion for offering the community cultural and artistic shows such as this one.

“We cannot do this without the continued support of the community,” Stacey explained.

Stacey added that the TBAC works hard to secure grant funding and donations so they can continue to bring acclaimed performers to the area, while keeping admission affordable. When many of these same performers appear in other parts of the state, such as Petoskey or Traverse City, ticket prices are usually at least $10 to $15 more per person for the same shows.

Eisenhower Dance Detroit, founded in 1991, regularly gives life to the repertoire of internationally-known choreographers, as well as to the highly acclaimed work of Founding Artistic Director Laurie Eisenhower.

The dance company presents an annual subscription series, tours internationally, and has performed works by several choreographers including Edgar Zendejas, David Parsons, Lar Lubovitch, Ron de Jesus, Gina Patterson, Lauren Edson, and Harrison McEldowney. Eisenhower’s renowned versatility has included performances with the Michigan Opera Theatre, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, the Warren Symphony, the Immigrant Suns, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings, the Rackham Symphony Choir, the Motor City LyricOpera, and the Toledo Opera.

Advance discounted adult tickets are recommended, at two for $25, available online at www.thunderbayarts.org, or from the TBAC office inside the gallery at 127 W. Chisholm St., or at Neiman’s Family Market. TBAC office hours are 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Adult tickets will be $15 each at the door. As with all TBAC events, children and students will be admitted free of charge. Those with 2018-19 TBArts Passes will also be admitted.

For more information, call the TBAC office at 989-356-6678.

Darby Hinkley can be reached at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5691.

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