KDNY Dances What Women Are Thinking

TAMPA, FL--(Marketwire - Aug 16, 2011) - If "Sex and the City" was a dance company KDNY would probably be it. A fusion of grace, determination, independence, style and comedic tangents, the all-female New York City-based dance company makes their onstage debut in Tampa on Oct. 8, at the University of South Florida (USF) Theatre 1.

Artistic director and choreographer of KDNY, Kathleen Dyer's repretory is inspired by historical and everyday encounters that women face. Dyer has a talent of capturing a woman's thoughts in the physical realm on stage. The dancers are literally moving to the emotions, complexities and decisions that women face daily from relationships to careers and everything in between.

"The female perspective in my work is very intentional and whether the theme is motherhood, marriage or the environment it all centers around how females create community under any context," says Dyer. "I'm very passionate about developing opportunities for women and providing an outlet for them to feel the many emotions women encounter."

The company's contemporary style of dance might be best described as the middle of modern in that it appeals to dance aficionados as well as mainstream audiences. Bluring the lines of technique, the six-member dance company is high-energy, often pulsating to live original scores in front of elaborate theatrical sets. The dancers' movements are athletic and strong but the intricate feminine costumes, designed and created by Dyer, soften the performance into a whimsical experience.

And although the company is from New York City, their work has deep southern roots adding to the richness of the storytelling on stage. Dyer started her dance career in Alabama and also attended Florida State University where she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance. Company member and manager, Heather Kemp, grew up in New Port Richey, Fla., and is an alumnus of USF's Dance Class of 1999. This will be the first time Kemp returns to USF's stage.

KDNY will present "GOING" at USF Theatre 1, at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 8, and 3:00 p.m. on Oct. 9. The repertory will include "From," which begins in the remnants of a broken and disheveled forest and centers on the theme of heartbreak and sisterly connection; and "Formula," an escalating layering of duets set to Zoë Keating's optimistic looping cello composition, "Sun will Set," and focuses on creating allies for progress.

Additionally KDNY will present "Navigating the Hallway," as part of a collaboration project with Tampa's Moving Current Dance Collective, currently in residence at USF. Moving Current is one of Florida's top modern dance companies under the direction of Erin Cardinal, Cynthia Hennessy and Kristin O'Neal. The repertory piece contemplates the close-proximity and anonymity of urban living with an underlining desire for camaraderie and compassion.

Tickets to KDNY's "GOING" are $15 (general), $10 (students/seniors) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (800-982-2787) or www.ticketmaster.com. For more on KDNY visit: www.kdnydance.com.