TL20040429_001 "Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Thursday, 4/29/04 Senator discusses civic engagement 3 Search continues for vice president 7 J-live performs in hip-hop show Mean Girls' is pleasant surprise Departments Opinion 2 News 5 Nation Police blotter. Campus briefs 10 Arts., .15 Sports 24 In this corner. 24 The Hot Corner. 22 Classifieds 20 Company 'weaves' dance styles Spring performance delivers diverse selection of dance forms; guest choregraphers work with student company Molly Brouillette The Towerlight The Towson University Dance Company will weave ballet, modern jazz, African American popular dance and other dance forms in its spring performance, """"In Concert Weaving Textures of Dance."""" """"One thing that really sets this performance apart from others is the fact that, as the title indicates, every piece is completely different,"""" explained Catherine Horta-Hayden, artistic director for the Dance Company. The show features six diverse pieces, including a contemporary ballet piece that illustrates a murder mystery, a piece combining modern and African American dance forms, and a largely improvisational modern piece relying on audience participation. The work of guest artists and choreographers will also be in the spotlight. The jazz number finale """"Sing Sing Sing,"""" choreographed by Bessie Award winner Douglas Graham, pays homage to legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. Graham, who worked with Fosse, has also performed on Broadway and in national tours of productions. """"Sing Sing Sing"""" is the only piece in the show that incorporates all S3 members of the company. Guest artist Yanis Pikieris choreographed """"Frame by Frame,"""" a contemporary pointe piece that converges two story lines into a murder mystery. Pikeiris won the prestigious gold medal at the Moscow-based International Ballet Competition and has also worked with distinguished companies including the Bavarian National Ballet, the International Ballet of Caracas and the Miami City Ballet. Jawole Willa Jo Zollar choreographed """"Dreamin' The Blues,"""" a modem dance that closes the first half of the production. The piece is presented as a result of the annual National College Choreography Initiative Award from the National Endowment for the Arts and Dance/USA, which supports innovative work of upcoming dancers and choreographers. Zollar is also the founder of Urban Bush Women, which is a New York-based dance troupe that focuses on women's experiences, African American history and the culture of the African diaspora. Assistant Professor Vincent Thomas choreographed """"Loom,"""" a premier modern dance piece that draws its inspiration from visual and musical weavings. See CONCERT, page 15 Kevin Lavezza/The Towerlight Senior dance majors Heather Anastasio (front) and Julia Folts practice for this weekend's performance. Atheist group aims for affiliation Brent Kennedy The Towerlight Towson University offers more than 15 religious groups for students. If sophomore deaf studies major Ben Carlton has his way, that list will expand early next fall with the addition of an atheist/agnostic association. Carlton, who was recently elected secretary for the College Democrats, got serious about starting the club in late March when he became aware of an atheist organization at the University of Maryland. """"Seeing the group at College Park made me realize that there really aren't enough outlets and resources for atheist students on Towson's campus, and a group like this would at least start to address the problem,"""" Carlton said. """"I, for one, have been frustrated that every denomination of every religion has their own club, while the atheist/agnostic student population doesn't have any organized place for interaction with people of common beliefs."""" In order to gain recognition and respect on campus, Carlton has spent the last few weeks trying to meet Student Government Association guidelines so the club can gain affiliation. With a few exceptions, the SGA isn't traditionally involved with religious organizations, mostly because the groups choose to go through Campus Ministries instead. However, SGA members realize the nature of an atheist group makes this situation different. See ATHEIST, page 10 Today High 75 Low 57 Friday High 78 Low 59 Saturday High 75 Low 63 Sunday High 69 Low 51 Monday High 64 Low 48"
