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College to Present the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Event Geared to Get Audience Thinking about Next Day's Peace Symposium and Its Theme: 'The Art of Nonviolence' The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will perform at Wilmington College Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m., in Heiland Theatre. (PICTURED) Dayton Contemporary Dance Company photo by Jeff Sabo. The event, which is free of charge, is being held in conjunction with the next day’s 26th annual Westheimer Peace Symposium, whose theme this year is “The Art of Nonviolence.” Wilmington College sees the dance company as an exemplar of this theme as evidenced by its artistic message of peace, equality and inclusion. Their performance is co-sponsord by the Issus & Artists Series and Activities Planning Board. Rooted in the African-American experience, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is a culturally diverse contemporary dance company committed to reaching the broadest audience through exceptional performance and arts-integrated education, according to its mission statement. Founded in 1968, DCDC became the first African-American dance company to gain membership as a performing company in the Northeast Regional Ballet Association. Its founder, Jeraldyne Blunden, received the MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship for her life's work in dance. The company was featured in the 2001 Emmy award-winning PBS Great Performances documentary, Free to Dance and, in 2005, performed the opening performance for Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Maya Angelo at the Schuster Center in Dayton. It has since performed across the United States and as far away as China Executive director Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders said DCDC has adhered to its enduring values since its inception. “Dayton Contemporary Dance Company values exceptional dance art both in conception and execution. We value using the art of dance to support students from pre-K through senior citizens,” she said. “We value young people and their right to experience exceptional art. Integrity, diversity and professionalism are the company’s calling card.”