CHARLOTTE – Feb. 12, 2008 - The North Carolina Dance Festival premieres this weekend at UNC Charlotte. For the first time since its inception in 1991 at UNC Greensboro, UNC Charlotte’s Department of Theatre and Dance is the sole producer for the local segment of the festival that has become a North Carolina institution.

Organized to establish a network of venues for professional regional choreography and performance, the Festival is an annual showcase of North Carolina dance artists that travel to six communities. The Festival makes appearances at UNC Greensboro, Appalachian State University in Boone, Meredith College in Raleigh, UNC Charlotte, Kenan Theatre in Wilmington and Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville.

Eight different companies are included on the touring roster along with invited artists from each respective area.

The Festival begins Friday, Feb. 15, with performances by alban elved dance company, Nelson Reyes, Christina Tsoules Soriano, Talani Torres, E.E. Balcos/EE Motion, Sybil Huskey, and North Carolina Dance Theatre Repertory Ensemble.

Performances on Saturday, Feb. 16, feature Cara Hagan, Niki Juralewicz, Heidi Godfrey, Caroline Calouche, Alice Howes, and Martha Connerton/Kinetic Works.

The emphasis is on modern dance; however, ballet and ethnic works will be presented.

Performances each night begin at 8 p.m. in Robinson Hall’s Belk Theatre. Ticket prices are $12 for general admission, $10 for faculty and staff, and $5 for students and seniors.

For tickets, contact the UNC Charlotte Box Office at 704.687.2599.

For more information, contact Lauren Marcinkowski at 704.687.3285 or Lmarcink@uncc.edu.

About UNC Charlotte

A public research university, UNC Charlotte is the fourth largest campus among the 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina system. It is the largest institution of higher education in the Charlotte region. The university offers 18 doctoral programs, 61 master’s degree programs and 89 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees. Fall 2007 enrollment exceeded 22,300 students, including almost 4,800 graduate students.

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Media contact: Buffie Stephens, 704.687.2262 or dbsteph1@uncc.edu.