The Fredonia Dance Ensemble takes the stage on Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Robert W. Marvel Theatre at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

From slow, sustained modern dance to upbeat, contemporary hip hop, the 2019 Fredonia Dance Ensemble concert explores a variety of movement aesthetics and features performances by the talented Dance majors at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

The Fredonia Dance Ensemble takes the stage on Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Robert W. Marvel Theatre on the Fredonia campus.

“The concert showcases different movement styles from each of the choreographers and highlights the diversity of talent in the BFA Dancers,” said Director Paula J. Peters, a Theatre and Dance faculty member.

Two pieces are choreographed by guest artists. Buffalo-based hip-hop artist James Levy, who staged a work for last season’s Dance Ensemble event, has returned with a new piece for this year’s concert. Jason Ohlberg, an assistant professor of Dance at Skidmore College, has restaged an existing trio into a work for nine dancers.

Three pieces have been choreographed by Theatre and Dance faculty members — one each by Peters, Sam Kenney and Angelika Summerton.

There are 29 students performing and 21 production/design students are involved in the production.

“What I hope the audience will take away from the concert is the power that dance possesses to tell stories which ask us to examine our humanity, how we engage with our fellow citizens and to experience the joy of movement for the sake of movement,” Peters said.

The Faculty Student Association will offer snacks, light hors d’oeuvers, beer, wine, coffee and soft drinks at the Atrium Cafe, which is located by the entrance to Marvel Theatre, at the two evening performances. Service will begin one hour before curtain time and continue through the end of intermission at each event.

The Fredonia Dance Ensemble is a Walter Gloor Mainstage Series event presented as part of the 2018-19 Lake Shore Savings Season.

Tickets are available through the Fredonia Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 673-3501 (toll free at 1-866-441-4928), online at fredonia.edu/tickets and in the theater lobby one hour prior to each performance.