Ohio University's School of Dance and faculty-led professional African dance and music ensemble, Azaguno, has reached across the Atlantic Ocean to create a dance concert that combines European and African contemporary dance.

Featuring the Cathy Sharp Dance Company from Basel, Switzerland, "Moving Bodies: A Euro-African Contemporary Dance Concert" will take the stage at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3.

"With funding for dance absent from public schools it is imperative that university dance programs work diligently to provide exposure to and training in contemporary dance forms, especially of diverse backgrounds, to ensure the position of dance in American cultural tradition," said Assistant Professor of Dance Zelma Badu-Younge.

The Cathy Sharp Dance Ensemble is an international group comprising six dancers from Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium and Japan. Sharp, a native of Nashville, Tenn., was a soloist with the renowned Basel Ballet in Switzerland for 15 years before co-founding her company in 1991.

Azaguno is directed by Badu-Younge and Associate Professor of Multicultural Music Education Paschal Younge. The group is a colorful and vibrant multi-ethnic ensemble that focuses on research, preservation, education and performance of traditional African music and dance.

The concert is free for OHIO students with a valid ID, $9 for non-OHIO students and $12 for general admission. In addition, a free lecture and demonstration will be presented from 3 to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, at the Shirley Wimmer Dance Theatre in Putnam Hall and a free children's dance class will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at Arts/West on W. State Street.

School of music faculty present talents

The School of Music is showcasing some of its talented members with a series of faculty recitals. During the first two weeks of October, distinguished faculty members Paul Barte, organ; Matthew Morris, bassoon, and Sylvia Eckes, piano, will present their talents for the community.

"As a faculty musician, you strive to tell the composer's story," said Morris, a visiting assistant professor. "It's like time travel; I connect with them across time. It's as if I animate the bones of a dinosaur and make it get up and walk around the room."

Morris will showcase his love for 20th century English composers at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, at the School of Music Recital Hall in Glidden Hall. The works included in his recital are pieces he is preparing to record for a CD project.

"The CD will showcase the English gift for lovely melodic writing and the depiction of vivid images," Morris said.

Barte performs at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, at Galbreath Chapel and Eckes performs at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the School of Music Recital Hall. Admission is free to all concerts.