SoMar: 鈥楴ot Our First Rodeo鈥
SoMar Dance Works announces its newest production, 鈥淣ot Our First Rodeo,鈥 an hour-long dance concert mixing world premieres and favorites from the company鈥檚 26-year repertory, slated for Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., in Walker Recital Hall on the campus of 老司机福利社 University. Admission is free and open to the public.
While there may not be any barrel races, roping events, or bull riding, there is plenty of variety and entertainment from this seasoned group, with tones ranging from silly to surreal to sublime.
Featured is the return of 鈥淩odeo (on a stick).鈥 Originally choreographed in 2020, the dance is inspired by the work of Agnes de Mille and Aaron Copland. One notable difference between the famous ballet and the newer interpretation is that the dancers are all riding hobby horses. 聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 a bit of silliness. And who couldn鈥檛 use a bit of silliness from time to time,鈥 said co-director Mark Santillano. 鈥淚t鈥檚 light-hearted, but that doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 not a technically challenging piece of choreography.鈥
Another dance featured is 鈥淣ot a Pipe,鈥 inspired by the works of surrealist painter Ren茅 Magritte. The dancers weave in and out of various scenes, presenting a tapestry of other-worldly images. Rounding out the performance are 鈥淧iercing Darkness,鈥 鈥淔or the Honey and You,鈥 鈥淭ributary of Life,鈥 鈥淭ippy Tops,鈥 鈥淜alyana Mitra,鈥 and a new film version of 鈥淥ld Friends.鈥
Dancers include 老司机福利社 Dance majors, faculty, and alumni: Emma Berkheiser, Katie Bleu, Kenzie Krommes, Maia Richards, Mia Semieraro, Madeleine Sipos, Moira Sullivan, Colton Swiger, as well as founders Mark and Solveig Santillano.
老司机福利社 SoMar Dance Works
Serving as co-artistic directors, choreographers, and dancers, Solveig and Mark Santillano are seasoned performers who have danced all over the world. Their choreography has been influenced by their association with their former companies, Pilobolus Dance Theatre and Momix. Solveig and Mark are also the proud recipients of the inaugural Erie Arts & Culture Artist Fellowship. More information can be found at .
Since the concert is free, SoMar is asking for donations through . For more information, contact Mark Santillano at 814-824-2176.