LOVELL —  SoMar Dance Works will bring a sampling of its original contemporary dance pieces, described as daring and evocative, to the Brick Church for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Aug. 2. 

Solveig and Mark Santillano, seasoned performers who have danced worldwide, serve as co-artistic directors, choreographers and dancers in the company.

Their work is known for its artistry, physicality, wit and creativity. Their choreography has been strongly influenced by their association with the internationally acclaimed Pilobolus Dance Theatre and Momix.

SoMar Dance Works premiered in 1999 at the Missouri Fine Arts Academy. Since then, the company has performed at events in and around Erie, Pa.; Lovell and Sweden; Fredonia Opera House, Grand Valley State University; Gothenburg, Sweden; and Mercyhurst University, where it is in-residence. Their dance concerts include “Nature Calls,” “Dis-Ease: A Coming Out”  and “In Her Shoes.” As a team, Solveig and Mark have co-choreographed dances for the School Of Performing Arts in New Milford, Conn.; and the San Diego Civic Dance Company. 

Solveig Santillano, originally from Sioux Falls, S.D., holds a bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School of Dance, and a master’s degree from Wesleyan University. She has headed the dance department at Salem State College and served on faculty at Springfield Ballet and the Missouri Fine Arts Academy. She is an assistant professor of dance at Mercyhurst College and a certified yoga instructor.

As a performer, Mark Santillano worked with Indianapolis’ Dance Kaleidoscope and Pilobolus Dance Theatre. He has performed in the national tours of “The King and I,” “West Side Story” and “A Chorus Line.” He received the Corbin Patrick award for his work as a choreographer, and his choreography was honored at the American College Dance Festival Association’s national gala concert. A native of St. Louis, he is an assistant professor at Mercyhurst College. He also serves on the board of directors of the Erie Dance Consortium and the American College Dance Festival Association.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Brick Church on Christian Hill Road. Tickets, at the door, are $10 for adults/$5 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 925-1500 or visit www.lovellbrickchurch.org.

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