Pentacle


R E P E R T O R Y

		Amusement of the Gods (2010) The full company examines rituals of worship from multiple points of view in this witty and profound exploration of faith. Amusement of the Gods playfully observes ardent practices of worship while offering serious meditations on the purpose of faith and wonder. Amusement of the Gods strikes a balance between the earthbound and the heavenly in a work that is provocative, philosophical, and delightfully, kinetically humorous.

		Earth (2009) One of TU Dance’s signature pieces, Earth explores the connection between the senses and the elements according to the Hindu Ayurveda philosophy, the belief that everything in the universe is made up of five elements – air, fire, water, earth and ether. The elements are said to be represented in the mind, body and souls of humans, expressed through the five senses. Radiating with energy, Earth is a journey into the earth’s very core, a primal ritualistic dance that fervently honors an ancient wisdom.

		January (2012) January is a new full-company work by Uri Sands, Co-Artistic Director of TU Dance, which examines our perpetual state of transition, exploring life at the intersection of earth and sky, with eyes on both yesterday and tomorrow.

		High Heel Blues (2005) High Heel Blues is a sassy, playful, utterly comedic duet based on an infatuation for shoes, high heels to be exact. High Heel Blues provides a glimpse into a woman’s desire for something she knows is no good for her, and the salesman who helps her along the path to fulfillment.

		Sweet Tea (2004) Originally commissioned by North Carolina Dance Theater and set to the music of John Coltrane, Sweet Tea is a leisurely stroll on a steamy summer’s day in the south. The work portrays the relationship between two women and a man who are coping with the sizzling summer heat with a little bit of charm, a little bit of silliness and a lot of cool, amusing themselves and each other to beat the heat.

		Veneers (2006) Veneers was hailed a “masterwork” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, noting “its blend of intelligence and beauty, rigorous structure, inventive choreography and integrity of performance so singularly wrought…that [it] rocks your world.” Veeners is an uncompromising requiem for the personas we adopt, explored through a highly stylized combination of militant, religious, political and everyday gestures. Veneers is hauntingly beautiful, profoundly poignant and, ultimately, quite astonishing

		Workforce (2010) Workforce is a lively, highly energetic journey through the work-a-day grind, exploring the sometimes coercive nature of work in some off-beat workplaces, such as farming fields and inner city streets. Set to a driving club groove, Workforce weaves inventive street dancing and vogueing into a global mix of workers and workplaces.

		With Love (2011)- by special arrangement Set to music by Donny Hathaway, With Love was inspired by the depictions of urban life and dance in the paintings of African American artist Ernie Barnes (1938-2009). Uri Sands brings the fluid and athletic movement of Barnes’ work from the canvas to the stage. Eight Barnes’ images are incorporated into this large-scale joyous and boundlessly energetic work that has the potential to include local dance students. With Love was commissioned by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts with funds from the Joyce Awards, presented with special permission of the Ernie Barnes Family Trust. Clear as Tear Water (2006) – by special arrangement A solo originally created for Toni Pierce-Sands by Ronald K. Brown. Clear as Tear Water is a luscious solo of great simplicity and beauty that alternates an ethereal reflective stillness with rapid, space-scooping movements. The work was commissioned with funds from the McKnight Foundation Artist Fellowship.

W O R K S H O P S

		Educational Performances A 60-minute interactive program of selected TU Dance repertory designed for K-12 students. This program is narrated to guide students through the performance. A question-and-answer session follows the performance. A Study Guide is available. Lecture Demonstrations A 60-minute interactive program with narration to help guide audiences through selected TU Dance repertory. This program is suitable for a variety of audiences, including K-12 students, seniors, or corporations.

		Community Outreach Classes TU Dance company members are available to teach hour-long classes in Creative Movement, Yoga, and Pilates to members of the community. All ages are welcome.

		Master Classes One hour to ninety minutes in length, master classes include technique classes in Modern (Horton), Gaga and Ballet.