Friday, November 22, 2013

Dance company to finish up 50th anniversary tour at USU

By: Mandi West

Utah’s own Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company finishes off 50th anniversary state-wide tour in Logan, Utah at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Manon Caine Russell Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall.

Ririe-Woodbury has been in Cache Valley for the past week visiting multiple schools in the valley. They held an open house Thursday night where the public could meet the dancers and choreographers. Daniel Charon, 

Ririe-Woodbury director, said how the company has accomplished something few other U.S. dance companies have accomplished.

“The fact that we’ve gotten to 50 years is a big deal,” Charon said. “It’s a very unique accomplishment.”

There are only two other dance companies in the world that have lasted 50 years or more. Ririe-Woodbury has toured around to every state in the U.S. and to many places around the world.

The company was founded in 1964 by Joan Woodbury and Shirley Ririe who both had taught dance at the University of Utah. Claire Proctor, granddaughter of Ririe, said how fun it was to grow up with the dance company.

“It is a performance you can enjoy even if you don’t understand anything about art or dance,” Proctor says. “I still to this day love going to the performances.”

The show tonight will highlight popular dances from the past 50 years. The pieces have been described as exciting, innovative and requiring lots of talent.

“It is a chance to see a world renowned dance company perform,” Proctor said. “It is a performance you don’t want to miss.”

Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for USU students with ID and can be purchased online at arts.usu.edu or at the door.

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