ODC Local Heroes Dance Festival July 24, 2008

Contemporary dance makers creating work within centuries-old living cultural traditions are featured in the final festival weekend. All came to the attention of ODC Theater through the National Dance Project and New England Foundation for the Arts Regional Dance Development Initiative (RDDI), of which ODC is the Bay Area hub site.

Hearan Chung, Artistic Director of the Northern California Korean Dance Association, is a master of court, folk and creative dances and a contemporary choreographer in her own right, having begun extensive training at age five. Ms. Chung's dance is characterized by elegance and her choreography incorporates symbolic elements of water, wind and soil to demonstrate her interpretation of the spirit of Korea.

Colette Eloi has dedicated her life to sharing with the world the rich traditions and cultural history of her parents' native Haiti. She is Artistic Director of El-Wah Movement, and her influences include jazz, ballet, modern, Dunham Technique and many traditional folkloric styles.

Vishnu Tattva Das has devoted himself to perfecting the art of Odissi, one of India's most elegant and beautiful classical dance forms. Vishnu is recognized as one of India's prominent male Odissi dancers and choreographers, and has received acclaim for his performances throughout India, Italy, Canada and the US. He has presented hundreds of solo performances, lecture-demonstrations, and master classes.

$20-$25.

Official Website: http://www.odctheater.org