BRANDY MCDONNELL

What to do in Oklahoma on June 15, 2019: See Perpetual Motion Dance's modern and aerial dance concert 'əˈstrā' at Oklahoma Contemporary

Brandy McDonnell
Perpetual Motion Dance is performing an original modern and aerial dance concert titled “əˈstrā” at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. [Photo provided]

Today’s featured event:

Watch Perpetual Motion Dance presents an original modern and aerial dance concert “əˈstrā” at 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd.

“əˈstrā” (“astray”) is set in the hazy aftermath of a catastrophic environmental event, according to a news release. Those who survived now struggle with limited resources and discovering a new way of living in the unpredictable landscape. When survival is both selfish and codependent, they are faced with difficult choices and sacrifices. Searching for balance among the environmental chaos, they begin to rebuild to find sanctity in a world that left them behind.

Oklahoma City’s only modern and aerial dance company, Perpetual Motion Dance employs homegrown professional dance artists who diligently work through the process of experimentation and rehearsal to create original works that draw the audience into new states of awareness. These concerts, funded in part by a matching grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council as well as by donors and ticket sales, tour the state to bring this unique art form to a variety of settings including college, rural and urban audiences. Additional support provided by The Kirkpatrick Family Fund.

“əˈstrā” features choreography created by Artistic Director Michelle Moeller and company members Emily Dawson, Kayla Jenkins, Alana Murray, Amy Nevius and Caitlin Robinson. Other artistic credits include hair and makeup by Shear Balance Salon, photography by Abby Brook, and videography by Kyle Van Osdol.

The mission of Perpetual Motion Dance is to create, develop, and inspire innovative dance in Oklahoma City. This is achieved through drawing together dancers in an ongoing creative environment that reaches out into the community through performance (ranging from brief special appearances, to full length original works). Additionally, education is a cornerstone of their efforts as the company provides weekly class offerings, K-12 education programming, and PM2 a program for dancers 13 and older that partners students with the company, where they learn the inner workings of a professional dance company, while continuing to grow modern, contemporary, ballet, and aerial technique.

For tickets and information, go to www.perpetualmotiondance.org.

For more Oklahoma events, go to oklahoman.com/calendar.

-BAM