The Dark Arts Performing Dance Company is marking its anniversary with a concert titled "Memories and New Beginnings: 20 Years of Artistry in Motion" on Friday, May 6.

May 6: Dark Arts concert

Dark Arts Performing Dance Company sets 20th anniversary concert

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11:42 a.m., May 3, 2016--Founded in 1996, the Dark Arts Performing Dance Company at the University of Delaware is marking its anniversary with a concert titled “Memories and New Beginnings: 20 Years of Artistry in Motion” at 7 p.m., Friday, May 6, in Mitchell Hall.

Tickets will be available at the door and cost $5 for those with UD ID in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets cost $10 for the general public. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

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The Dark Arts founders were originally a part of another local dance company but a representative said they felt disconnected from the group, which led them to form their own dance company. 

Students from all different types of backgrounds and levels of experience came together for one purpose, and that was to dance. 

“These students saw something lacking in the performance companies on campus -- minority representation and variety,” the representative said, “so they came together and formed what is known today as Dark Arts Performing Dance Company.”

Members practice a variety of dance genres, including but not limited to hip-hop, lyrical, ballet, jazz, modern, gospel, African, Caribbean, tap, Latin, and pointe. 

The representative said the anniversary is important to members in part because alumni are returning to the UD campus to perform in the annual spring concert and to “really show the audience how much Dark Arts has progressed throughout the decades.”

“Our main goal for this year’s spring concert is to show how much the company has evolved within our dance styles and our members. ‘Can I get a DA coupe on 3? 1..2..3.. DA COUPE!’ The legacy continues….”

Dark Arts member Ikira Peace said, "I love that I am a member of Dark Arts because I am growing with the company. We are a company of all levels of dance and we build each other. We continue to challenge ourselves ourselves while we also push each other to be the best dancer's we can be individually and as a team.

"There is no competition between members of the team, but instead, it is a competition within ourselves. The growth is clear from the beginning of our journey until now. May our artistry in motion continue to excel as our journey goes on.”

Bria Burton said, “Dark Arts for me has been a breakaway from the normal stress of school. I get the chance to do what I love with people who share that same passion as me. Dark Arts is an organization where not everyone has to be part of the status-quo. It is truly a team of inclusivity and inspiration.”

“Why Dark Arts?,” asked Janice Dixon. “Out of all the dance companies on campus, I chose to be a part of Dark Arts Performing Dance Company. Primarily I chose this organization because of the hip-hop, which happens to be my forte, but as time went on I found myself becoming more rounded as a dancer. I would have never thought I would be capable of being in a contemporary or lyrical dance number but with a lot of practice and technical training I overcame my fear of those styles of dance. 

“This dance company has helped me find a part of me that I never knew was there, I’m more confident in myself, I built genuine relationships with my teammates that I know will last forever. Dark Arts is more than just a performing arts company… it is really a home away from home. So why Dark Arts? That is a question better answered after becoming a part of such a family.”

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