Vertical Dance and Lights Along the Shore Present Set on Stone Sept. 9

A first-of-its-kind vertical dance concert, titled “Set on Stone,” will take place Wednesday, Sept. 9, on the north face of the University of Wyoming Physical Sciences Building.

Free public performances by Vertical Dance and Lights Along the Shore will be held at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. In case of bad weather, performances will be rescheduled Thursday, Sept. 10, at the same times and location.

The “Set on Stone” choreography explores themes related to physics, astronomy and chemistry. These range from drawing inspiration from the mythological stories embedded in the night sky’s constellations to the exploration of chemical properties in a general, but abstract manner, says UW Department of Theatre and Dance Associate Professor Margaret Wilson. She adds that the dances are enjoyable even without this context.

Vertical Dance is led by Wilson and Neil Humphrey, a professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics.

“We are excited to have a late afternoon performance, which people can attend as they are leaving campus, as well as a dusk/evening performance, which will allow us to use theatrical lighting, designed by UW Department of Theatre and Dance’s new technical director, Greg Owen,” Wilson says.

The vertical dance group has previously performed on the rock faces of Vedauwoo, in an end-of-summer favorite concert with local audiences, as well as inside theaters on campus and in the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center atrium. But, this year, Wilson and Humphrey wanted to push the boundaries further.

“We have been interested in bringing outdoor vertical dance to the UW campus for a long time,” Wilson says. “Performing for the wider campus and local community has drawn us to seek out venues that have greater accessibility, and celebrate the dance program at the University of Wyoming in a more public way.”

Original music by Lights Along the Shore will be featured at the event. This instrumental ensemble specializes in original compositions and arrangements of classical and folk music from around the world.  Ensemble members are UW Department of Music faculty members: Blake McGee, clarinet; Lisa Rickard, piano; Rod Garnett, Moldovan, pan pipes and traditional flutes; and Steve Barnhart, percussion.

For more information, contact Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirsik@uwyo.edu.