FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/12/2011
Morgan Arts Council -- Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse.org
Press Contact only: Mary Hott - 304-258-2300 - mary@macicehouse.org
PERCUSSIVE DANCE SHOW IN BERKELEY SPRINGS
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ----The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) brings the famed, award-winning Footworks percussive dance ensemble to the public stage on Saturday, October 22 at 7:30pm after three days in Morgan County schools. The Footworks dance performance is at Berkeley Springs High School auditorium.
“We know the kids will be all abuzz from seeing them in school,” said Mary Hott, MAC’s Executive Director, “so we wanted to give them a chance to bring their parents and family to enjoy them too.”
Footworks has traveled the world since forming in 1979, delighting audiences of all ages with their unique example of American traditional dance and music. Their credentials range from being guests artists for Riverdance in London to touring Japan for the Smithsonian Institution. Founding director Eileen Carson Schatz traces her dance roots from the Green Grass Cloggers and Fiddlepuppets to the world concert stage with Footworks.
Although they have added and explored traditional percussive dance techniques from Irish, Scottish and African-American sources, Footworks remains true to the traditions of Southern Appalachian music and dance learned from the old time buck dancers and flatfooters. Called by the Washington Post “the Bolshoi of barn dancing,” they have been widely praised for their vigor, joy and tricky stepping.
Hott promises that Footworks are genuine show-stoppers. “They are really dancing stars,” she said.
Footworks performs at Pleasant View, Paw Paw, Widmyer and Greenwood schools on October 18, 19 and 20.
Funding for Footworks’ appearances in both schools and on the public stage comes in part from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, Morgan County schools and hotel/motel tax funds. For ticket information call MAC at 304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org.
