Subscribe to RSSLocal & international dance brought to Flagstaff
Bringing together local and international dance and film is the Flagstaff Performance Art and Film Festival (FPAFF), an event involving 11 different dance troupes from all over northern Arizona. Several international groups will also be showcased. The event will be occurring May 4-5 at the Clifford E. White Theatre in downtown Flagstaff. Additionally, on May 6, there will be a showing of international films at the Human Nature Dance Studio.
Jayne Lee, the executive director of the Human Nature Dance Studio, along with a few others, have been putting on this event for a total of three years and finally decided to incorporate NAU.
“We were first doing it at Coconino College during the summer,” Lee said. “It was named Flood of Dance or Monsoon of Dance, then we started to include dance companies from outside as well as local companies so it focuses on Flagstaff.”
Dance troupes performing in this event include modern dance ensemble Canyon Movement Company, Turkish-Egyptian dance team Al Rakasaat, dance company Condor Dance and the Coconino Community College dancers.
There will be a lot of different dance styles performed at the festival.
“There will be hip hop, ballet, Egyptian dance, but mostly a lot of modern and contemporary dance,” said Lee.
Audiences will be able to witness a wide variety of dance styles.
“Each audience member will get something different out of the performance,” Lee said. “I don’t think it will be one thing. We just really hope they enjoy the show that we put on because we have been working really hard.”
Lee has been working with fellow dancer Leonard Wood on two new performances. One of the new routines showcases the collaboration between Lee and guest choreographer Darshan Singh Bhuller.
“I’ve had a friend of mine from London; Darshan Singh Bhuller came out here this week to help us put together this last performance,” Lee said. “It is going to tell the story of Queen Elizabeth and her reign.”
They are planning on using fashion to help with their dance interpretation.
“We haven’t put together costumes yet, but we will probably be using interesting make up to interpret it,” Lee said. “We will also have pictures in the background as well.”
The first two days will consist of dance performances and culminate with a third day , which will be solely dedicated to film screenings.
“The last day, there will be no performances,” Lee said. “We will just be showing the international dance films from the San Francisco Dance Festival.”
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for students and children. To accrue more information concerning FPAFF, visit http://fpaff.com/.
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Author: MonaeGunn
Monae' Gunn is a sophomore majoring in Journalism at NAU. She has dreamed of becoming a journalist since her sophomore year of high school. This is her third semester writing for the Arts & Entertainment section of the Lumberjack newspaper. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and watching movies.
