BETHEL — Rhapsody in Blue….Wrap the Bodies in Hue….Rap the Body to Blue. The Mahoosuc Arts council will present a set of outstanding collaborating artists in performances Jan. 14 and 15that will include students from the greater Bethel area.
CHOREOGRAPHY — Artistic Director Debi Irons, far right, works through new choreography for a multi-media project inspired by Gershwin that will be presented by the Mahoosuc Arts Council Jan. 14. From left, James McLaughlin, Music Director at Gould Academy, and clarinet professor Todd Brunel of Boston will be accompanying Irons’ company, Art Moves, in performances that will also integrate the work of visual artist Nikki Millonzi and students from the region. The artists met for the first time in December to rehearse at the Bingham Auditorium at Gould Academy.
A feast of the senses, the fabrics used in the featured piece will be dyed by students under the direction of a teaching artist who will teach a variety of techniques using only indigo. Images of the fabric will be used as projections on the dancers and some of the fabric will be used to build a mobile as part of the set that will eventually become an art installation at Telstar Regional Middle and High Schools. The multi-media dance will be accompanied by the virtuosic musicianship of a local pianist and a clarinet professor from Boston.
The project, dubbed Rhapsody in Blue, is inspired by the great Gershwin song and will feature the work of four artists working in collaboration: choreographer and Artistic Director Debi Irons and visual artist Nikki Millonzi of Norway, Gould’s Director of Music James McLaughlin of Bethel and clarinet professor Todd Brunel of Boston.
The public performance will be held at 7 p.m. in Bingham Auditorium, Gould Academy, 45 Church St. in Bethel. The next day, students at Telstar Regional High School and Middle School and area homeschoolers will be presented with two in-school assemblies.
The project is intended to provide students with the opportunity to volunteer for mini dance and visual arts residencies. The ultimate work will literally wrap students into innovative workshops leading to a set of performances.
In addition, Irons will perform several pieces of her repertoire with dancers from her company, Art Moves.
Tickets are $15 for adults. All students are free. To purchase tickets online go to their store atwww.mahoosucarts.org. or call 890-6386 to reserve tickets.
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