Terpsichore's Kitchen

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The focus is on sharing recent work, highlighting for the audience what's new now, and providing the artists with welcome feedback and production experience. Many of the same choreographers have appeared over the years, allowing dance fans to trace their artistic development and concerns. In addition to McDonald-Anderson, who will present an excerpt from a longer, unfinished piece entitled Rippled Sea with a score by Gerald Siclovan, this year's show will include a vibrant new solo by Lourdes Bastos, former director of a renowned Brazilian dance company; a premiere set to the music of classical guitar master Francisco Tárrega by U-M dance lecturer Melissa Beck Matjias; and an untitled work by Christina Sears-Etter, the director of Ann Arbor's People Dancing, who's known for her engaging group dynamics and whimsical characterizations. Beth Wielinski, another shining star on the local dance scene, builds her meditative, theatrical imagery as if through a viewfinder. Her Trinity, presented at Performance Network in 2004, was entrancing — smart and gorgeous. I look forward to this year's solo created in collaboration with the contemporary music ensemble Clock and Body.

"People often comment to me they are surprised to see dance of this caliber in Ann Arbor," says McDonald-Anderson. "I hope it opens up opportunities for the choreographers to build a following."

Dancing in Summer runs at the Performance Network Wednesday through Sunday, July 5-9.