Dance Collective kicks off the season of arts at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center

Dance pieces have been selected, rehearsals are near completion, and the stage is set to welcome the public to the ninth annual Dance Collective on Friday at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Center.

The annual Dance Collective has marked the beginning of the Performing Arts Center season of performances since it debuted in 2015.

The one-night-only performance showcases original works by choreographers from Center Stage Dance Alliance, Island Dance Academy, N2 Dance, Aerial Arts Hawaiʻi, Big Wave Dance Academy, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo dance community, and more.

“There is an almost audible buzz within the dance community the closer the days approach our annual Dance Collective,” said Dori Yamada, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo assistant performing arts center manager. “Since its inception, the Dance Collective’s primary goal has always been about bringing the dance community together, building bridges, sharing resources, and creating support between all the different dance entities.”

Adam Onishi, an administrative officer at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, is a longtime dancer and presents his third choreographed piece for the show.

“I like to participate in the Collective because everyone that participates is always so supportive and brings all of their positive energy,” he said. “It also provides a unique opportunity for me to connect and dance with performers I may not interact with regularly.”

Longtime choreographer and co-creative director of Center Stage Dance Alliance, Mana Hoʻopai, said that audiences “will witness dancers in their happy place. You will see art made by creatives who spread loud messages without speaking.”

Yamada notes that performances may contain material that may not be suitable for all audiences and parental discretion is advised.

“Most of the numbers were choreographed specifically for this show by the talented array of new and returning choreographers, and as always, reflect their personal ruminations about the world around them,” Yamada said. “It is also a platform to feature passionate performers across the range of the dance spectrum. Inclusivity is key and choreographers are given free rein to create whatever content is speaking to them at the moment.”

The Dance Collective begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Center. Proceeds from this event will continue to support future Dance Collective performances and provide dance opportunities for the Hawaiʻi Island community.        

Tickets are available online or by calling the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center Box Office from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday, at (808) 932-7490.  Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

For all upcoming shows and live performances, check out the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center website.