KeyBank Dance Series To Feature Limon Dance Company

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The UB Center for the Arts will present the third installment in The 1999-2000 KeyBank Dance Series with a performance by the Limon Dance Company, to be held at 8 p.m. on April 15 in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the North Campus. The performance is sponsored by KeyBank. Media sponsors are WUTV Fox 29 and WJYE 96.1 FM.

In continuous operation since 1946, The Limon Dance Company is recognized as America's oldest modern dance repertory company. The company is the living embodiment of the movement, technique and philosophy of theater developed by Jose Limon and his mentors. The company's mission is to produce vital, exciting dance theater of the highest quality, to be at the vanguard of the international dance scene and to provide a home for modern dance masterpieces.

The current group of fourteen dancers, which is in residence at UB March 27-April 15, is a multi-racial and multi-cultural ensemble, including two artists who worked closely with Jose Limon. One, Carla Maxwell, has served as the foundation's artistic director since 1978 and her success has been acknowledged by the company's continued artistic excellence, as well as a Dance Magazine Award in 1995. The group she has assembled is renowned for its versatility and for its remarkable diversity.

The Limon Dance Company was the first American modern dance company to perform in Europe (1950), the first group to tour under the auspices of the American Cultural Exchange Program (1954) and the first dance troupe to perform at Lincoln Center (1963). The company has performed during every American Dance Festival season from 1948 to 1973, and has also had the honor of appearing twice at the White House (1967 and 1995). The company has also toured to the Far East, South America, Eastern Europe and has held two engagements in Russia (1973 and 1995). Following one recent international engagement, a prominent Italian critic dubbed Limon "the most unique and original American dance company."

Tickets for Limon Dance Company are $18, $15, and $9 for the general public and $7 for students. Discount coupons are available at all area KeyBank locations. Tickets are available in the Center for the Arts Box Office from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's and Movies Plus. To charge tickets by phone, call 852-5000, 416-870-8000 in Canada. Group sales are available by calling Karen at 645-6771. For more information call 645-ARTS