EVENT: Renowned Dance Company to Perform at University of Rochester

Seán Curran Company, a young New York City-based dance group praised for its eclectic repertory, will perform at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26, and at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, in the dance studio in Spurrier Hall on the University of Rochester River Campus.

Formed in 1997, the company consists of nine dancers and founder Seán Curran. Curran began his dance training as a youth in Boston with traditional Irish step dancing and later gained recognition as a principal dancer with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He received a New York Dance and Performance Bessie Award and also was a member of the cast of the percussion extravaganza Stomp for four years.

Set against scores that range from traditional Irish mouth music and early 20th century chamber music to contemporary composers such as Sheila Chandra and Seamus Egan, Curran's inventive choreography ranges from humorous to poignant to introspective. The Village Voice noted that he "creates complexly musical phrases for a company that literally rises to meet his expectations."

During the 2000/2001 season the company will tour to nine national venues, including Boston and Pittsburgh, and is scheduled to perform in June at the Tanzwochen Danse Festival-Neuss in Germany.

The company's local performance is presented by the University's dance program. Admission is $7 for students and $10 for the general public. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the Common Market on the River Campus, and will also be available at the door.

For more information, contact the dance program at 273-5150.