"Happendance ... Exposed" Concert

A typical stage production involves a lot of equipment, most of it invisible to the audience. In “Happendance ... Exposed,” a concert of contemporary dance, you’ll see something different. Missy Lilje, Artistic Director of Happendance Professional Company, is exposing the backstage areas, leaving the light booms in the wings (sides) in full view and as the only stage lighting in use. This technical simplicity provides a unique focus on the dances and the dancers. The concert features two commissioned works by guest choreographers. Kimberly Karpanty, of Cleveland and Kent State University, created “Wake,” a dance which incorporates images of good and bad dreams from the four dancers. It premiered in New York City in October, staged along with “chew it up/spit it out,” a quirky work by NYC’s Leanne Schmidt, and an audience favorite when premiered by Happendance in 2010. It returns to Lansing expanded to a work for six dancers. Happendancers, past and present, provide the rest of the choreography. “Monkey Wrench,” by Andrew Amos, tells a story of five office workers thwarting corporate culture. The solo “Falling Lessons,” created by Lilje, deals with fear of mistakes, to music by Massive Attack. Lilje’s second dance, “Together We Sway,” began as a light-hearted trio, but expanded to include the high schoolers of Happendance 2 pre-professional company, and adds a surprise twist. Michael Place’s duet “Catching Me for Himself (Falling to be Caught,” explores the opposing motives in a couple’s relationship. Closing the concert is Tracy Holtzer’s “Undulations,” expressing the ebb and flow of energy, in three sections: Part 1,Smooth Waves, is a duet set to the ethereal music of Ireland’s Sigur Rós; Part II, Noisy Echoes, builds energy with Company for String Orchestra, Movement II, by Philip Glass; Part 3, Reverberations, is a full-company finale, set to Palladio performed by Escala. Preview Night is Thursday, Feb. 23, at 8 pm. Free admission, suggested donation $5.