ZUZI! Dance presents Summer Solstice: A Dance Concert

“This is the time of the rose, blossom and thorn, fragrance and blood. Now on this longest day, light triumphs, and yet begins the decline into the dark. The Sun King grown embraces the Queen of Summer in the love that is death because it is so complete that all dissolves into the single song of ecstasy that moves the worlds. So the Lord of Light dies to Himself, and sets sail across the dark seas of time, searching for the isle of light that is rebirth. We turn the Wheel and share his fate, for we have planted the seeds of our own changes and to grow we must accept even the passing of the sun.” (The Spiral Dance, HarperCollins, 1999, p. 205)

Special Guest Choreographers –
Chaos Theory Dance:
Chaos Theory Dance, a “quick-come-pick-me-up” company directed by Billbob Brown since 1999, takes its name from the science of complexity, which finds meaningful patterns in apparently unpredictable systems, such as weather, clouds, traffic, populations, and relationships. Through improvisation and set choreography, interactions with musicians, video, cartoons, or dialogue, and with a lot of zaniness, CTD makes work that is fun and emotionally accessible, letting audiences “ooh” and “ahh” while being intellectually challenged. The company has performed at Jacob’s Pillow, and in colleges and theaters across the country, including Harvard, Roger Williams University, and MIT. Recent projects have been with Kristen Miller, cellist, who was named 2004 Female Artist of the Year by Jam Magazine; DuoJalal; Stephen Katz, and other musicians. Previously based in Massachusetts, the company is now re-established in Tucson, Arizona.

MAC & Company:
MAC & Company is a Phoenix based 501(c)3 non-profit modern dance company founded from a shared passion for dance education and performance between Micaela Church and Li Pei Khoo in 2014. They are bringing five new works to the Summer Solstice ranging from the fast and fiery to dark and solemn. MAC & Company brings there unique style and choreographic view in each work.

ZUZI! Dance:
Aarlin Murrieta – Full-time Pima Community College undergrad, Aarlin Murrieta was born in Hermosillo, Sonora; she is 19 years of age and has been dancing since she was 12. Aarlin has danced with ZUZI! for over a year now and is excited to be branching out with her dance styles while at ZUZI!. Aarlin also delves into drawing and painting and often uses both along with dancing as complimentary forms of art.

Maddie Brown – A 17 year old senior at Salpointe Catholic High School. She has been dancing at Zuzi for 10 years and is in training to teach trapeze. Maddie has been dancing for Salpointe as well as Zuzi and loves both, but trapeze is her passion. Her family has been very supportive and has helped her passion for the arts grow.

Nanette Robinson – A choreographer, educator and dancer, ZUZI! Co-Founder and Director of Arts Education, holds a BFA in Dance from Temple University and is an introductory and ongoing certified instructor of Skinner Releasing. She has travelled internationally teaching and performing and has extensive experience as an aerial dancer and teacher having worked with Robert Davidson and Terry Sendgraff. Nanette’s choreography has been showcased locally with O-T-O, Zenith Dance Collective, Arts for All, University of Arizona Dance Department, Rick Wamer, “Mythos” Project, NEW ARTiculations, Funhouse Movement Theater, The Tucson Poetry Festival,Ballet Rincon, the ADAA Showcase and the Flagstaff Summer Dance Festival. Nanette is currently teaching at Paolo Freire School, with Mirasol Recovery Treatment Program and ZUZI! School. She is thrilled to be a part of ZUZI!. It has been her home and artistic toolbox for creating dances, flying, teaching and working with all levels and ages of dance lovers. For more information visit nanutdancer.com

Mirela Roza and Dancers:
Mirela Roza was born in Fortaleza Brazil where she received most of her dance training with Tatiana Leskova from the Original Ballets Russe. She performed with Ballet Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro under the direction of Jean-Ives Lormeau. Mirela received her intensive education at The University of Arizona earning a B.F.A in Dance and a B.A. in Psychology. In May 2015 she received her Masters degree of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography at The University of Arizona. She is currently employed as Adjunct Faculty at Pima Community College and in her short time there she has found that her background in education, performance, and choreography has helped her contribute to the activities and culture of the department.

Funhouse Movement Theater:
Artistic Director: Sherry Mulholland
Our mission is to create quality dance programs, to provide dance education opportunities to the public including our award-winning Youth Outreach Program, to encourage collaboration within the dance community, and to speak of the importance of the arts in our lives.

Lee Anne Hartley– steps back into her role as theforemost choreographer for Funhouse. Lee Anne Hartley founded FUNHOUSE movement theater in 2000. She has taught on the faculties of the Universities of Utah, Arizona, Colorado at Boulder, and Washington. She has taught for local studios, O-T-O Dance and Ballet Rincon. Her choreography has been supported by Northwest Arts Federation, Seattle Arts Commission and Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her choreography has been

Bethanne Griffin– This is Bethanne’s first time as a guest choreographer for Funhouse, and we are so delighted to have her. Bethanne is a native Tucsonan who began her dance training at the age of six. She built her dance foundation on ballet, tap, and modern. In 2001, she moved to New York City and began a teaching career; dancing and training with The Fred Astaire Ballroom Company. She worked as a Teaching Dance Artist, and designed movement-based learning curricula for NYC’s public schools in the south Bronx. Upon returning to Tucson, she began designing and implementing integrative dance curricula for local fine arts programs. In 2010, she began “Dance Aloud”; a children’s performing arts education program designed to introduce and reinforce literacy-based concepts through creative movement. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Northern Arizona University. In 2011, she began working as a Teaching Dance Artist with Tucson Unified School District’s, Opening the Minds through the Arts (OMA) program, and as of this year, she has joined on with the OMA Design Team.