Zodiaque Dance Company to Present 1.2.3.4 -- Countdown to Celebration 40

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Department of Theatre and Dance will present Zodiaque Dance Company Oct. 17-21 in the Drama Theatre in the Center for the Arts, UB North Campus.

1.2.3.4 -- Countdown to Celebration 40 begins the dawning of the 40th anniversary of Zodiaque Dance Company. The fall concert is a four-day eruption of diverse programming that includes new and recent works by faculty and distinguished guests that are performed by current UB Theatre and Dance students.

Among the highlights of the evening are group works choreographed by UB Dance faculty members Melanie Aceto, Tressa Gorman Crehan, Jon Lehrer (artistic director of LehrerDance) and Kerry Ring. Invited guest choreography includes a new work by Nailah Bellinger, international choreographer and teaching artist at Harvard University. Bellinger's new work is sponsored through the generosity of First Niagara Bank.

Adding contemporary classicism to the program is a work by guest artist John Magnus, former artistic director of Joffrey Ballet in New York City, and now artistic director of Poland Festival Ballet. The evening will also feature work by a 2005 graduate of UB's dance program, Amy Van Kirk, who recently completed an MFA in dance at the University of Arizona.

Tickets for Zodiaque Dance Company are $20 for general public and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). To charge tickets call 1-888-223-6000. For more information call 716-645-2787.