‘A Concert in the Park’ blends dance, music
By Lisa Marie Weyh
The sassy red-haired dancer looked up into the sky and explained
the simplicity of dancing in an open space. As her wide eyes
anxiously took in all that surrounded her, she mumbled something
about the excitement of people walking by and being subjected to
the unexpected.
She is talking about dance, music and the art of combining the
two. To student producer Wendy Cornelius, the result is something
beautiful, something that will hopefully have an effect on all who
see it.
The production, "A Concert in the Park," an hour and a half of
creative dance and live music will be performed in the Franklin D.
Murphy Sculpture Garden.
The atmosphere of the garden will provide a relaxing setting for
the free concert. Cornelius encourages the guests to bring "dinner,
a blanket and their loved one for a welcoming experience."
The fourth-year dance student speaks of the importance for art
to stand alone. She sees nature as a whole other world, a
completely different experience from performing on stage.
Ten unique pieces will be performed to live music in the garden,
most of them showcasing original choreography and compositions.
"I am very excited for this concert," said third-year music
student Rachel Hancock. "It is giving me the opportunity to
premiere my original composition, ‘My Story in Music.’"
"It was very easy to find students who were willing to perform
in an outdoor environment," Cornelius said. "There is something
alluring about feeling the grass between your toes and being able
to touch the trees."
She hopes to see interested faces at her first production. "I
want those who come to the concert to walk away with a feeling; I
don’t care what it is, just as long as they feel something."
Dance: "A Concert in the Park." Performances are Friday at 8:15
p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in front of MacGowen Hall in the
Sculpture Garden. The performance is free of charge.