Photo by Deborah Duyek
Martin Ortiz Tapia (left), Joy Squire and Zachary Heller pause during a rehearsal of a performance to be presented by Dance Taylor prior to a Saturday performance of Giordano Dance Chicago at the Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center of Wayne County Community College District Downriver. Tapia and Heller, members of Giordano Dance Chicago, visited Taylor recently to choreograph the local troupe’s performance. Squire is founder and director of the Taylor troupe.
By Evelyn Cairns
Members of the Taylor Dance troupe will take the stage prior to a concert by the prestigious Giordano Dance Chicago company Saturday at the Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center of Wayne County Community College District Downriver.
Founded 50 years ago by Gus Giordano, internationally known dancer, master teacher, choreographer and author, the company that bears his name is known for expanding the definition of jazz dance with high-energy high-impact artistry.
The Giordano concert at 8 p.m. will follow a 7:30 performance of Taylor Dance choreographed by Giordano Dance members Martin Ortiz Tapia and Zachary Heller, who visited Taylor recently to instruct the local dancers.
Members of the Taylor troupe are Kaitlynn Schuster, MacKenzie Phillips, Kelsey Kochan and Nicole Brown, all of Taylor; Lauren Van Hook of Southgate; Amy Jenkins and Devin Kilmer of Dearborn; Ali Obermayer of Grosse Ile; Ruth Doty of Flat Rock; Alyssa Tanner of Romulus; and Kara Nieman of Huron Township.
Joy Squire is founder and director of Taylor Dance.
A southwest Detroit group, the Living Arts Youth Dance Ensemble, also will take part in the preconcert event. The ensemble is directed by Christine Blunden, who was trained by Squire.
Tickets, $20 ($10, students and groups), are available by calling 734-374-3200 or going to www.wcccd.edu.
WCCCD Downriver is at 21000 Northline in Taylor.
Market seeks participants
The Lincoln Park Farmer’s Market is seeking farmers, specialty-food vendors and crafters for weekly Sunday markets to begin May 5 and end Oct. 27.
The markets will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Southfield Road municipal parking lot between 1-75 and Fort Street.
Registrations are being accepted at 313-427-9443 and [email protected]
Mother’s Day contest opens
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth is calling for entries in its 22nd annual Mother of the Year contest, which offers a Mother’s Day dinner for up to 10 family members, an overnight package for four at its Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark and a recognition plaque.
To enter, write a poem of 50 words or less telling why your mother should be selected. Include her name and your name, address and daytime phone number. Winners will be notified by May 7.
The contest deadline is May 3. Mail entries to: Zehnder’s Mother of the Year, Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, 730 S. Main St., Frankenmuth, MI 48734, or e-mail them to [email protected]
Coming up . . .
April 18 — Fashion show by Neiman Marcus, boutique and dinner; Hopes & Dreams: A Girls’ Night Out benefit for child-abuse-prevention programs in Wayne County; 5 p.m. at The Henry Hotel, 300 Town Center Drive, Dearborn; for tickets, $125 and $175, call 313-583-6401 or go to www.childshope.org.
April 21 — Southern Great Lakes Symphony concert featuring pianist Ralph Votapek, winner of the first Van Cliburn International Piano Competition; 3 p.m. at the Flat Rock Community Auditorium, 25600 Seneca; an afterglow dinner feting Votapek will be held at Fratello’s restaurant in Trenton; for tickets (concert $25; afterglow, $35), call 734-246-2890 or go to www.sgls.org.
April 21 — Concert by Alexander Zonjic and his band with guest artist Keiko Matsui; 7:30 p.m. at the Trenton Village Theatre, 2447 W. Jefferson; for tickets, $25, call 313-964-5050 or go to www.dypac.com.
April 25 — Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber Business & Lifestyle Exposition black-tie preview gala; 6 p.m. at Yack Arena, 3131 Third St., Wyandotte, with food sampling and cocktails; tickets, $65, members; $75, non-members; afterglow at Belicoso’s Café, $14 and $20; for more information call the chamber at 734-284-6000; the expo will continue April 26 and 27.
April 27 — “First Impressions” fashion show/luncheon, fundraiser for the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center of Trenton; 11 a.m. at the Grecian Center, 16300 Dix-Toledo, Southgate; fashions by Tricia Boutique; mannequin art contest winners will be on display; for tickets, $35, go to www.dypac.com or call 734-771-4945.