Contact: Ralph Derickson

UK Dance Ensemble

Isadora Duncan, born in 1878 in San Francisco, Calif., performed all over the world on stages in London, Paris, and various cities in Russia as she refined the art form that became known as Modern Dance. She also was a writer, creating poetry and other literary works. She died in a tragic car accident in the French Riviera in 1927 when her neck scarf became entwined in the spokes of the sports car she was driving.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2004) -- The University of Kentucky student Dance Ensemble will perform “Dances for Isadora,” a tribute to Isadora Duncan, at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 17, in the Recital Hall of the Singletary Center for the Arts.

One of America’s most famous dancers, Duncan has been credited with establishing the Modern Dance form.

The 22-member UK Dance Ensemble will perform three dances that make up the “Suite from Dances for Isadora.” The sections are titled “La Prima Vera,” “Maenad,” and “Niobe.”

Tickets for the performance are $12 for general admission, $10 for students and senior citizens, and $3 for children under age 12. Tickets may be obtained from the Singletary Ticket Office by calling (859) 257-4929.

Isadora Duncan, born in 1878 in San Francisco, Calif., performed all over the world on stages in London, Paris, and various cities in Russia as she refined the art form that became known as Modern Dance. She also was a writer, creating poetry and other literary works. She died in a tragic car accident in the French Riviera in 1927 when her neck scarf became entwined in the spokes of the sports car she was driving.

The UK Dance Ensemble is under the direction Rayma Beal, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotions in the College of Education.

“Dances for Isadora’ was originally choreographed by Jose Limon of the Jose Limon Dance Foundation Inc., the owner of the copyright for the dance,” said Beal, who has a doctorate in education from the University of Cincinnati and who has taught at UK since 1986. The music is by Frederic Chopin. The dance was first performed Dec. 10, 1971, at the Cleveland Museum of Arts in Ohio by the Limon Dance Co.

“Merle Holloman, a professional dancer, and a ‘restager’ for the ‘Dances for Isadora’ also has been working with the UK Dance Ensemble,” Beal said. Seven members of the UK Dance Ensemble practiced with Holloman in January.

Also participating in the UK Dance Ensemble performance will be Hope Garland, a native of Winchester, Ky., who is a dancer in New York City, and her husband, Andrew Frank. Garland and Frank will read from Isadora’s written works between sets of the performance.