TazWood Dance Company Features Area Folk Dance Groups in Dec. 2-4 Shows

       TazWood Dance Company will present its winter concert Dance Expressions on Friday and Saturday, December 2 & 3, at 7:30 pm and on Sunday, December 4, at 2:30 pm, in the Illinois Central College Performing Arts Center in East Peoria. The company has been in residence at ICC since 1989.
       The show will not only feature dancers from the TazWood Dance Company but will also showcase some of the area’s finest ethnic and folk dance groups. Each performance will include performance by some of the following groups: Flynn’s Irish Dancers, Korean Dance, Pava Productions for Middle Eastern Dance, Peoria Chinese Folk Dance Group, and Peoria Preparatory School for the Arts Dancers for African Dance accompanied by Garry Moore, Scottish Highland Dancers. All performances will include the TazWood Dance Company dancers performing an Israeli folk dance choreographed by Joan Halperin.
       In addition to the folk dance groups, the show will provide a head start on Christmas spirit with Christmas Morning about children opening gifts and having them come to life and Christmas on Broadway as a collection of Christmas songs from Broadway productions.
       There will also be a moving piece entitled Hear My Cry about a girl who has been abused and heals through friendship and dance. Another piece, Cartoon Time, will feature children from the community.
       Artistic Director Mary Dexter says this show, like the TazWood Dance shows before it, is suitable for families. “We take pride that our shows are always suitable for families, are affordable, and also involve audience participation,” Dexter said. “Plus, we offer a wide variety of dance in the same show.”
       Tickets cost $7 ($5 for students and seniors) and can be purchased or reserved by phone by calling the ICC Performing Arts Center Box Office at (309) 694-5136.
       A reception following the December 2 performance is open to the public. Before the December 4 show, Santa Claus will be in attendance, and children attending the show may have their photos taken with Santa free of charge. Those wanting a picture with Santa should arrive by 1:30 pm. Pictures will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.