Updated: "Caliente!!!" Luna Negra to heat up Rozsa Nov. 5

HOUGHTON -- "Raw beauty in fluid movement" is how the New York Times describes the grace and brilliance of Luna Negra Dance Theater. At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, the Rozsa Center stage will sizzle with their emotional fire and technical wizardry.

Luna Negra Dance Theater will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Rozsa Center. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo courtesy Rozsa Center)

Devoted to the creation and presentation of contemporary dance by Latino choreographers, Luna Negra Dance Theater is an amazing blend of contrasts -- serious and funny, passionate and serene, adventurous and subtle. The company’s distinctive style blends ballet and modern dance techniques, strongly flavored by Latino and Afro-Caribbean dance forms.

Over the past ten years, Luna Negra Dance Theater has established itself as a significant and vital component of Chicago’s arts and cultural community. The company serves as a springboard for Latino contemporary choreographers to give expression to their stories and bring new life to the cultures of their communities. Steering away from stereotypes and folkloric representations, Luna Negra brings to audiences modern Latino expressions with energy, power, and passion -- reflecting through dance the immense cultural shift that is shaping America in the 21st century.

Luna Negra has received wide critical acclaim for its remarkable collaborations with artists of other disciplines such as world renowned Afro-Peruvian singer Susana Baca and Grammy award nominee Angel Melendez and the 911 Mambo Orchestra. Luna Negra has performed at the New Victory Theater, City Center in New York City, the Ravinia Festival, the Harris Theater, The Dance Center at Columbia College, Dance Cleveland, New Orleans Ballet Association, as well as in Mexico and Panama. In addition, Luna Negra conducts extensive outreach and education programs, encouraging students to explore the world around them, examine their own history and find their own voice to express their unique identity.

Sponsored by the Katherine M. Bosch Endowment.

This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, General Mills Foundation, and Land O’Lakes Foundation.

Ticket prices for the general public are $25 and $20; MTU student prices are $20 and $15 (MTU student ID required); 18 and under $20, $15; A.A.R.P. Members - $22.50, $18.00. To purchase tickets contact the Rozsa Box Office at 487-3200, The Central Ticket Office (SDC) at 487-2073, Tech Express (MUB) at 487-3308 or go online at tickets.mtu.edu. No refunds, exchanges, or late seating, please.

Update: Luna Negra to offer dance class Nov. 4

The performance group Luna Negra will be offering a free master class in dance and movement focused on modern Latino expressions from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Walker 210 on the Michigan Tech campus. The class is open to the public.

This class is offered by the Rozsa Center and is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest which is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, General Mills Foundation and Land O'Lakes Foundation.

To attend, RSVP at the Rozsa Box Office at 487-3200.