Music and dance present Dancing on Steel at Miller Outdoor Theatre
The San Jacinto College music and dance departments are collaborating for a unique concert this May – Dancing on Steel. The group will perform at the Central Campus Slocomb Auditorium and the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.
“The steel band and I are very excited to be able to collaborate with our guest artists and the dance program to stage the World Premiere and Houston Premiere of Dancing on Steel,” said Michael Mizma, music professor. “We are so happy to have such adventurous and creative dance faculty to work with on this project. I have wanted to collaborate like this for many years and I’m so excited we are finally making it happen.”
Dancing on Steel is a suite of six steel band pieces inspired by dance movements and the rich cultural traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, reflecting the influence of its multiethnic and multicultural heritage and featuring choreographed dance. Students from Mizma’s steel band will perform for the second year at the Miller Outdoor Theatre as a part of their performance grant program. This is the program’s first time to partner with dance professors Jamie Williams and Jennifer Salter from San Jac’s South Campus and their students.
“Our dance program is thrilled about this collaboration. It is opening up so many opportunities for our dancers that they otherwise might not have,” said Williams. “For this project, not only are they learning traditional Trinbagonian dance from an international artist, but they are also getting the chance to perform to live music on a huge outdoor stage. I think every Houston dancer should have the chance to perform at Miller at least once. We are fortunate to give them this experience, and they are excited!”
The musical suite was influenced by Trinidad and Tobago’s West African origins - taking notes from Afro-French Creole dance, wedding and funeral traditions, the limbo and calypso, and other cultural practices.
“For our first performance, we will combine forces with our community steel bands for the World Premiere of this musical suite, including our newest band from Deer Park Elementary School,” said Mizma. “We are also extremely excited to stage the Houston Premiere at Miller Outdoor. This venue is so awesome. The staff, the facilities, and the production quality are just amazing. We are grateful for their trust, and for the financial assistance they provide to help make artistic endeavors like this go from dream to reality.”
Save the date and look for more information to come.
Event:
Dancing on Steel, presented by San Jacinto College Music and Dance
When and Where:
Friday, May 3, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Central Campus Slocomb Auditorium
8060 Spencer Hwy.
Pasadena, TX 77505
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 8:15 p.m.
6000 Hermann Park Dr.
Houston, TX 77030
Admission: Free
