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American Dance Festival's 76th Season Begins June 11 in Durham

Japanese dance company H. Art Chaos will perform at the American Dance Festival this summer.

Ringing in its 76th season, the American Dance Festival (ADF) has a busy lineup during its June 11 through July 25 stay in Durham, with performances at the new Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) and Duke University's Reynolds Industries Theater.

Featured performances include the world premiere of Re- (I, II, III) by Shen Wei Dance Arts. Choreographer Shen Wei developed the second and third parts of his triptych during a residency at Duke this past January. Other highlights include a mini-festival of works by Israeli choreographers, reconstructed works by Laura Dean and Twyla Tharp, recent work by Miami-based Rosie Herrera, and two community-based projects choreographed by Mark Dendy.

"We at Duke believe in the transformative power of the arts, and we see this transformation every summer when ADF comes to Durham," says Scott Lindroth, Duke's vice provost for the arts and professor of music. "Shen Wei's residency at Duke last January was a real highlight of our programming this year. I am eager to develop new collaborations with ADF through programming during the school year as well as by supporting ADF's residency on campus and in the new Durham Performing Arts Center this summer."

In addition to the performances in Reynolds Industries Theater, ADF's presence at Duke includes the Musicians Concert at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, in Baldwin Auditorium, and ADF Community Day, a family event featuring dance classes for kids, face painting, puppets and more, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Nasher Museum of Art. Additionally, more than 400 aspiring dancers in the ADF School will work alongside leaders in the dance field in various locations on Duke's East Campus.

"ADF has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Duke University for over three decades," says ADF co-director Jodee Nimerichter. "We are immensely grateful for the generosity bestowed upon our organization and look forward to continuing to deepen and strengthen our already fruitful relationship. Although we are moving some of our performances down the street, our connection to Duke remains steadfast."

More information and a complete schedule of events are available at americandancefestival.org.

Tickets are available through the Duke University Box Office at (919) 684-4444 or tickets.duke.edu, or through the Durham Performing Arts Center at (919) 680-2787 or dpacnc.com.