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This February, families from all across the Wasatch Front will have the opportunity to experience contemporary dance with Elements, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company's Winter Season family matinée. Embracing the philosophy that "dance is for everybody," the Company invites families to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon by offering affordable ticket packages and a "wiggle-friendly" show suitable for all ages.

Elements is a special one-time-only performance that will take place at 2:00pm on Saturday, Feburary 4th at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake City. One hour in length, the program will feature excerpts from Ririe-Woodbury's vast repertory, with pieces chosen specifically for a family audience. A live narrator will guide the audience through this thrilling adventure, offering insight about the dances and interactive movement activities. Enhancing the experience are pre-show activities at 1:30pm that will take place in the lobby and post-show opportunities to meet the Company dancers for photos and autographs.

The fanciful costumes, bright colors, sights and sounds of Elements will be drawn in part from Ririe-Woodbury's WINTER SEASON, a full-length evening performance February 3rd and 4th. Included in that program is a restaging of Physalia, originally commissioned by the Company in 1977. Physalia comes from groundbreaking choreographers Alison Chase and Moses Pendleton, cofounders of New York's Pilobolus dance company. The piece takes its name from the Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, and true to its name the dancers come together to suggest fantastic creatures that move under the sea. Ririe-Woodbury's own Artistic Director Daniel Charon will stage the world premiere of Snowmelt, a piece that ponders our relationship with the natural and man-made environment. For Snowmelt the six-member company will expand to include members of the University of Utah School of Dance. Bulgarian-born choreographer Tveta Kassabova and buzzworthy young artist Raja Feather Kelly have teamed up to create Super WE, a rapid and restless duet that examines contemporary life. Company alumnus Miguel Azcue rounds out the program with You and the Space Between, returning to the stage by popular demand. Using live video projection, Azcue has created visuals that seem to defy gravity.

Elements, the family matinée, will feature excerpts from those four dances and more. Ririe-Woodbury has designed the show to appeal to those who may be experiencing contemporary dance for the first time. Tickets are $10 for individuals, or $45 for a Family Five Pack.

"We encourage families to come experience a professional dance company in the beautiful setting of the Capitol Theatre," said Executive Director Jena Woodbury. "Welcoming children to our performances is nothing new for Ririe-Woodbury. Since the beginning, we have upheld a tradition of educating children about the role of art and dance in our lives and communities."

That beginning was 1964, when University of Utah dance professors Shirley Russon Ririe and Joan Woodbury founded the Company with the goal of making dance accessible to everyone. Now, with three major performances a year, Ririe-Woodbury aims to enrich lives and encourage a deeper understanding of ourselves and the humanities. The Company believes the Arts are a necessity for everyone, starting with children. Indeed, every year Ririe-Woodbury welcomes thousands of schoolchildren from all over Utah to attend free student matinées.

Building on 53 years of history, the vision of the co-founders and the ever-evolving work of its creative director, dancers, staff, management, and board, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company continues to be a internationally recognized force of dance innovation—right in our own backyard!

Elements

The Winter Season family matinée

Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 2:00pm (one-hour)

Single Ticket: $10 or Family Five Pack: 5 for $45

WINTER SEASON

Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 7:30pm (full-length performance)

Single Ticket: $35/$40 day of show

Seniors/Students: $15/$20 day of show

Box office fees apply

Available ArtTix.org or 801-355-ARTS

The JQ Lawson Capitol Theatre

50 West 200 South

Salt Lake City, UT

84101

More information at http://www.ririewoodbury.com Elements

The Winter Season family matinée

Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 2:00pm (one-hour)

Single Ticket: $10 or Family Five Pack: 5 for $45

WINTER SEASON

Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 7:30pm (full-length performance)

Single Ticket: $35/$40 day of show

Seniors/Students: $15/$20 day of show

Box office fees apply

Available ArtTix.org or 801-355-ARTS

The JQ Lawson Capitol Theatre

50 West 200 South

Salt Lake City, UT

84101

More information at http://www.ririewoodbury.com