Bates Dance Festival presents ‘Different Voices’

The 2014 Bates Dance Festival draws to a close with five performances, including two “Different Voices” concerts that showcase a grand diversity of styles and perspectives from young international choreographers.

Preceding Different Voices is “Moving in the Moment,” an evening of improvisational dance and music by contact improvisers Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser and festival faculty and musicians. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, in Bates College’s Alumni Gymnasium, 130 Central Ave. Admission is free.

Featuring new works by emerging choreographers, the Different Voices concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 7-8, in Bates College’s air-conditioned Schaeffer Theatre, 329 College St.

Different Voices includes stunning duets by the improvisational team of Aiken and Hauser; former Bill T. Jones dancers Jennifer Nugent and Paul Matteson sharing a work created by Wendy Woodson; New England choreographers Lida Winfield and Ellen Smith Ahern performing an excerpt from the heartfelt and humorous duet “Long Gone”; a solo by the magnificent Lisa Race; and a new group work by emerging choreographer Abby Zbikowski.

Different Voices tickets cost $25 for the general public, $18 for seniors and $12 for students. These may be purchased online, by phone at 207-786-6381 from 1-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, by mail or in person. Learn more: http://batesdancefestival.org/tickets.php.

The “Young Choreographers/New Works Showcase,” an informal event presenting more than 20 new dances created by students during the festival, takes place 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, in Schaeffer Theatre. Admission is free.

Designed to include critical feedback from faculty members, this afternoon event promises to be informative for both audience and performers. Audience members are welcome to come and go throughout the afternoon.

Finally, the Bates Dance Festival season wraps up in style with the “Festival Finale,” an energetic program of performances from students, faculty and local youth, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 in Alumni Gym. Admission is $6, in cash at the door only.

Festival students perform a high-energy evening of new works created by faculty members David Dorfman, Mark Dendy, Lisa Race and the pairing of Claudia Lavista and Omar Carrum. This culmination of the festival’s three-week intensive training program also showcases the talents of local youth, ages 7-16, enrolled in the Youth Arts Program.

For more information, please visit: http://batesdancefestival.org/perform-listings.php.