A mix of moves

Young Chang

An eclectic mix, excuse the pun, of short dance pieces will launch

Ballet Pacifica’s 2001-02 season next week as part of the 2001 Eclectic

Orange Festival.

Start with a big story, a Robert Sund drama set in 18th century France

with characters who love, betray and battle while wearing tights and

ballet slippers in a familiar story titled “Liaisons,” inspired by the

18th century novel “Dangerous Liaisons.”

Move then to a ballet without a story -- “Aquilarco.” It’s a

celebration of the dancers’ exuberance and technique, not a narrative

that tells a story.

“Sunflowers” follows. Four young women deal with the arrival of two

men, and everything changes as these young women grow older and love and

emotions complicate lives.

Finally, we arrive at a train station. “Different Trains” offers quick

glimpses into the meetings, greetings and partings experienced in a train

station.

“We are a contemporary ballet company that does a variety of different

pieces and works with different choreographers,” said Molly Lynch, the

company’s artistic director. “We’re always looking at trying to put

together a diverse program.”

So what ties these four dances -- the first two of which are world

premieres -- together? The fact that there is no tie.

“We’re always looking for diverse styles, diverse subject types and

diverse music,” added Lynch, who also created “Different Trains.”The four

ballets will be staged in one program with performances on Friday and

Oct. 6 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

“Liaisons” will feature the Baroque music of Bach, Handel and Vivaldi

as performed by cellist Tanya Tonkins and harpsichord player Corey

Jamason. Sund, a faculty member of the San Francisco Dance Center,

created the ballet in collaboration with the two musicians.

“Aquilarco,” created by choreographer Susan Hadley, will showcase

music by Italian cellist Giovani Sollima.

“It’s real crossover music,” said Hadley, who is also a member of the

Mark Morris Dance Group in New York. “What’s so interesting is, a number

of influences are evident in the work -- from classical to minimalist to

all kinds of interesting folk references.”

And as there is variety in the musical rhythms, there is variety in

the dance, she said. Two sections are so fast paced and rhythmic they’ve

been compared with the “Riverdance” style. Another two sections are

“sleepwalker slow.”

“But there’s a great deal of energy in the work,” Hadley said.

Antony Tudor’s “Sunflowers,” with music by Leos Janacek, will be

staged by choreographer Airi Hynninen, who has been mentored by Tudor.

The dances are reflective of the Tudor movement philosophy -- everything

starts from the body. The torso and arms and all other limbs follow what

the central part of the body does.

“It’s important to move from the center,” Hynninen said. “In theater,

that’s where the movement comes [from]. So does the emotion.”

Lynch’s “Different Trains” will be danced to the music of composer

Steve Reich. Set in the 1940s, the train station story is relevant in

today’s age of transportation and frequent travel, Lynch said.

“You see these people, these are human beings, they have

relationships, and they’re there for a reason,” she said. “But you’re

only looking at one little small point in time with these people.”

FYI

* WHAT: Ballet Pacifica will open its season with four ballets

* WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Oct. 6. A performance preview

discussion will be held at 7:15 p.m. each night.

* WHERE: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine

* COST: $25, $20, and $10 for student or senior rush tickets

* CALL: (949) 854-4646