
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contacts: Laurie Mellas, 277-5915
Sari Krosinsky, 277-5813
April 18, 2006
UNM Alumni Return to Celebrate Dance, Professor
For the first time, UNM dance alumni will return to their alma mater for a weekend of performance and celebration. Lovers of dance are sure to enjoy this gala event.
The weekend kicks off with the Judith Bennahum Scholarship Gala Dinner on the evening of Friday, May 5 at Carlisle Gym. Tickets are $100 per person, with proceeds to benefit the Friends of Dance Scholarship Fund for students in UNM's dance program.
Saturday, May 6, events include an afternoon alumni roundtable discussion and an evening concert by alumni choreographers, followed by a reception. Alumnus Dana Tai Soon Burgess and his company will perform the afternoon of Sunday, May 7. Times, locations and prices are included in the schedule below.
In addition to bringing together outstanding alumni choreographers and dancers, the weekend will celebrate Judith Bennahum's 31 years of teaching at UNM and her coming retirement.
Jennifer Predock-Linnell, then head of the department of dance, invited Bennehum to join UNM's dance faculty to teach ballet. Since then, Bennahum has played a critical role in developing the dance program, including the creation of the dance major, world dance minor, master of arts in dance history and criticism and courses in dance history and appreciation.
She served as head of the dance program 1991-1993, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts 1997-2000 and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance 2002-2005.
Already an accomplished dancer when she came to UNM, she's remained active in the field since. Bennahum has danced and choreographed for a number of prestigious venues, including the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, the Santa Fe Opera and the Opera Academy in Rome.
The concerts are expected to sell out quickly. Tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, April 25, through the Popejoy Ticket Office, (505) 277-4569. Contact the South Broadway Cultural Center ticket office at (505) 848-1323. For more information, contact the UNM Department of Theatre and Dance at (505) 277-4332.
The events are funded by Friends of Dance, the Alumni Association and the College of Fine Arts Development Office.
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 5
6 p.m.
Benefit Dinner for the Judith Bennahum Dance Scholarship Fund ($100 per person) at Carlisle Gym South Arena.
Saturday, May 6
2-4 p.m.
Round-Table/Panel Discussion: Dance Alumni speak about dance/career experiences at Carlisle Gym North Arena.
7 p.m.
“Coming Home” Alumni Dance Concert at Carlisle Dance Performance Studio. Ticket sales will benefit the Bennahum Scholarship Fund. ($12 tickets)
9 p.m.
Free reception following the concert at Carlisle Gym North Arena, sponsored by the UNM Alumni Association.
Sunday, May 7
6 p.m.
Concert by Dana Taison Burgess and company at South Broadway Cultural Center. ($8 tickets)
The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.
www.unm.edu