Shape // Matter Showcase August 22-23, 2024

Dance Uprising is performing in Shape // Matter Showcase for the third year in a row! We are excited to share a piece from our Body Works Dance Concert, “Stretch Marks.” This piece is abstracted movement research based on our experiences with stretch marks on our own bodies — translated to movement with beautiful circle skirts. It’s totally open to interpretation and meant to be enjoyed.

I know there are a lot of other dancers performing at Shape // Matter this year as well! I will list them below, then share a little about the groups I’m familiar with.

  • Suttle Dance

  • Amy Guilmette

  • Sophia and El Kronox

  • Detroit Tap Repertory

  • Terpsichore Dance Collective

  • Rae Dudek and Mackenzie Kalinowski

  • Eleanor Raygorodsky

  • Cloudmoon Dance

  • Dancers For Life

That’s such an exciting lineup! Sophia and El, Terpsichore, and Eleanor are all local Ann Arbor dancers/dance companies. Sophia and El Kronox have performed Tango in every Shape // Matter Showcase since its inception. They bring crowd pleasing, impressive dancing every time. Terpsichore Dance Collective is sharing a brand new solo on dancer Lydia Di Iorio-Rohton (I have seen this one develop! It’s beautiful!). Eleanor Raygorodsky has incredible flexibility and talent that she highlights in her signature choreography style.

I first met Amy Guilmette at the University of Michigan over a decade ago. I’m excited to see her perform here! I know she’s been busy teaching in Dearborn for several years. Speaking of the Detroit area, we have a lot of regional dancers coming into Ann Arbor for this event! Detroit Tap Repertory, Suttle Dance, Cloudmoon Dance, and Rae Dudek are all coming into Ann Arbor to be part of our broader dance community. I can’t wait to see everyone!

I’m always pleased to see Detroit Tap Repertory, because I don’t see that many adult tap dancers. To have a whole group of professional, adult tap dancers is so cool! Suttle Dance is directed by Sylvia Suttle, who we’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a couple of times. Cloudmoon Dance launched earlier this year, and is directed by Robyn Wilson and Rae Dudek. They are an amazing duo, and I look forward to seeing their work! (They both danced with Dance Uprising for the past 2 seasons, so we know them well!!) Speaking of Dance Uprising dancers, Mackenzie Kalinowski is a prolific dancer! She’s performing a duet with Rae Dudek, as well as a group piece for Cloudmoon. Outside of this performance, she’s also in Terpsichore Dance’s upcoming annual show as well as Dance Uprising’s upcoming season! (We <3 Mac!)

Now, the only group I’m not familiar with is Dancers For Life. Is this a group from a dance studio in Garden City? I’ll find out this Thursday! Can’t wait to see a good show!

Amy Cadwallader