Last night the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble brought its trademark moves – at once playful, gymnastic and elegant – to the Detroit Opera House for ‘Motown in Motion.’
The show is a visual romp through the history of the Motown Sound, opening with the Holland-Dozier-Holland classic ‘How Sweet it Is’ and working its way through other favorites made famous by the likes of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder and other legends.
The show’s dance vignettes were created by an impressive roster of nationally and internationally respected choreographers, including Joel Hall, Stephen Koester, Ginger Thatcher, Bill DeYoung, Lindsey Thomas, Stephanie Pizzo, Gregory Patterson, and EDE artistic director Laurie Eisenhower, who introduced the show.
‘Motown in Motion’ showcases the astounding talent of EDE principal dancers Mary Bischoff, Alicia Cutaia, Rebecca McLindon, Ahmad Simmons and Morgan “Mo” Williams, apprentice dancers Barbara Schoen and Will Jordan Peake, plus community dancers recruited specifically for this program, including Eisenhower dance students.
As a special treat for the audience, the second act included a flash mob sequence in which dancers planted in the audience suddenly jumped to their feet and began dancing in the aisles.
Although this presentation of ‘Motown in Motion’ was a one-day-only event at the Detroit Opera House, check out the Eisenhower Dance ensemble website to review their 2011 schedule. If you are interested in experiencing contemporary dance at its finest – you don’t have to go to New York. Motown’s got it all going on.
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