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ThirtySomething Dance returns to the Atlantic Fringe Festival with Vareity Show theme.

Halifax, N.S.-- As part of this year’s Atlantic Fringe Festival, watch for the “tSDC Variety Hour: Dance Extravaganza” at the following six scheduled show times: Thursday, September 1 at 6:30 pm; Sunday, September 4 at 4:30 pm; Monday, September 5 at 8:00 pm; Friday, September 9 at 6:45 and 9:45 pm; and Sunday, September 11 at 6:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased for $9 from the Fringe box office (day of show) or at the door, which is danceSpace on Grafton. For more information, visit Www.thirtysomethingdance.com

From the producers of “Dancers With Day Jobs,” one of 2004’s Fringe Hits, comes a new show with just under one hour of toe-tapping high jinks. Audiences will enjoy the company’s characteristic sparkle and glitz, with some surprises this year including tapping flippers, cowboy hats, African beats, circus animals, and some good old ’80s spandex!

The thirtySomething Dance Co-op (tSDC), now in its second year, is comprised of 13 members ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-40s. The co-op has independently produced two shows, including last year’s Fringe and “Studio 34”, which debuted at Alderney Landing in February 2005. “We’re definitely in the zone!” says artistic director Kate Hayter-Reid. “The group’s creative energy is high and the ideas are flowing from the members themselves, several of whom are now trying their hand at choreographing.”

According to Hayter-Reid, creating their own dance material enables the performers to “own it”, with choreographers for the “Variety Hour” including co-op members Kate, Sue, Robert, Mary, Cindy, MaryAnn, and Jen. Well-known Halifax dance teacher and choreographer Jackie Vacca joins tSDC as the guest choreographer for the 2005 Fringe performance. “Working with Jackie has been a wonderful new experience,” says Hayter-Reid. “Ice packs come out every "morning after" from her rehearsals, but we’re loving it.”

This newest performance by thirtySomething Dance Co-operative continues to celebrate the varied abilities and perspectives that its members bring to dance, but two things each performer has in common are that dance is a part-time hobby and a full-blown passion. “While our ideas for pieces get campier and more fantastic, our commitment level and sense of standards never drops,” says Hayter-Reid. “We take the discipline of dance seriously, but our dance style is not serious. It’s funny and light-hearted when it wants to be, but technique-driven and kick-butt when called for.”

As always, thirtySomething runs the gamut of dance styles: jazz, tap, funk, salsa, ballet, and modern. This unique dance company¹s inimitable style is fun for all ages.  The “tSDC Variety Hour” features all new numbers, and a few tricks you’re bound to recognize. So, don¹t touch that dial!
 
The thirtySomething Dance Co-op recognizes the generous support of Halifax Dance for its donation of rehearsal studio space.

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