Visiting Artists Doug Varone and Dancers to Perform in the Fine Arts Hall Nov. 1

October 3, 2024

October 4, 2024 – Doug Varone and Dancers (DOVA) will visit Santa Fe College to teach and perform as part of the college's Visiting Artist series on Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. in the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall, 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville.

Tickets are $16 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, military service members and children 12 and under; and free for SF students, faculty, and staff with college ID cards. Tickets are available from the Fine Arts Hall box office at 352-395-4181 or online at showpass.com/visiting-artist-doug-varone-and-dancers.

DOVA, a recipient of 11 Bessie Awards, has performed in over 125 cities across 45 U.S. states, as well as in Europe, Asia, Canada and South America. These highly professional performance artists are known for their innovative approach to the creative process which the Santa Fe College community will get to witness firsthand.

The first half of the performance will feature an immersive experience that involves audience members in an interactive demonstration of Varone's renowned creative process. After intermission, DOVA will perform their most famous work called "LUX, danced to the music of Philip Glass."

"'LUX' is one of my personal favorite dance works," SF Assistant Professor of Dance and Young Dancer Workshop Coordinator Melissa Brenner said, "and I can't wait for the audience to experience its magic! 'LUX' takes the audience on a journey to what it feels like to find freedom and resonates deeply. It's the kind of piece you feel in your bones."

Doug Varone and Dancers remain one of the most in-demand ambassadors and educators in their field. Their multidisciplinary residency programs offer a deeper connection to the work, using a hands-on approach that extends beyond the studio to engage people of all ages and backgrounds, whether they are dancers or not.

"Bringing artists of this caliber to our campus provides students and the community with insight into the realities of professional artistry," Brenner said. "During their week-long residency, our students will work directly with the company, creating invaluable networking opportunities and connections for their futures. We select master artists who value education, and Doug Varone has been a leader in the dance field for over 30 years."

The DOVA residency is sponsored and organized by the Santa Fe College Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology Department.