If you've got an appetite for dance, the 2nd Annual Nazareth College Arts Center Dance Festival will keep your plate full from this weekend through next. The nine days and nights of this year's festival offer up an array of events, including outside performances, lectures, discussions, master classes, community dance classes, art exhibits, and strolling performances on both the Erie Canal and University Avenue's ArtWalk. The four main-stage performances, however, are what should have you planning not to leave town next week.

Two of the featured companies - Rochester's own Garth Fagan Dance and New York City's Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company - boast between them nearly 20 Bessies/New York Dance and Performance Awards (basically, the dance world's equivalent of an Academy Award). And that's not counting the three Tony awards. What's not to recommend?

Speaking of awards, the festival announced this spring that it has formed a partnership with the Bessies that creates a new special jury prize at the annual Bessie Awards. The new award will give established New York City companies that have not yet toured the opportunity to do so, with Nazareth having the first claim on the touring performances.

"Maybe we'll get the first look at a company that might become a big future star, the next Garth Fagan," says Jamey Leverett, artistic director of Rochester City Ballet.

Fagan himself advocated providing younger groups with places to perform. "Rochester will be seeing some of the new and fresher talent," he told City in a recent interview.

Nazareth's first shot at that fresh, out-of-town talent via the new award will emerge at the 2012 Nazareth College Arts Center Dance Festival. For this year's festival, we are already awash in established talent.

Like Garth Fagan, Bill T. Jones is a big name in modern dance. Both men are founders and artistic directors of internationally acclaimed modern-dance companies; both are choreographers whose bodies of work have significantly influenced and shaped the flow of contemporary dance.

In 1974, Jones co-founded the American Dance Asylum - known for its innovative and sometimes controversial productions - with Arnie Zane and Lois Welk. Although Jones began his dance training at the State University of New York at Binghamton, he worked with Welk at the SUNY Brockport Department of Dance, and participated in a workshop there led by Fagan in the summer of 1972. At that time, Fagan was breaking ground with his own company, Bottom of the Bucket, But...Dance Theatre, later to become simply Garth Fagan Dance. But today Fagan can still recall working with the young Jones.

"He was just brilliant," Fagan told City in a recent interview. "A shot in the arm. It was clear to me that he was going places."

Go places he did. As did Fagan.

Besides the six Bessies, Jones' major honors include a 1994 MacArthur Genius fellowship and the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2009 and named "an irreplaceable dance treasure" by the Dance Heritage Coalition in 2000. His ventures into Broadway theater resulted in a 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography in the critically acclaimed "FELA!," a musical Jones co-conceived, co-wrote, directed, and choreographed. He also earned a 2007 Tony Award for Best Choreography for "Spring Awakening," as well as an Obie Award for the show's 2006 off-Broadway run.

Fagan was awarded a Tony - along with a host of other prestigious awards - in 1998 for his choreography in Broadway's "The Lion King." In 2009 The New York Times named his company's performance of "Mudan 175/39" as third of the top six dance-watching moments of that year. Five Bessies have gone to Garth Fagan Dance members, and the company has been cited for its excellence and originality with a New York Governor's Arts Award. It has also been featured on national platforms such as "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno and three times on PBS's "Great Performances."

Fagan's company opens this year's festival with a performance on Friday, July 8; Jones' company will close it on Saturday, July 16. In between, on Thursday, July 14, the two men will meet on stage to discuss the influences and philosophies that guide their choreographic choices. The discourse will be moderated by Deborah Ronnen, chair of the Visual Arts Committee of the New York State Council on the Arts. This is live dance history; don't miss it.

Like last year's headline performer, Elizabeth Streb's STREB Extreme Action Company, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company pushes the limits of movement. Its performances ask, what can movement do? What issues can movement address?

The company will perform two separate shows on two different nights of the festival, with pieces that will span the 30-year history of the company. The first evening's program will include two duets from Jones' groundbreaking work "Body Against Body," which launched Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company into the spotlight in the early 1980's.

"The two duets in ‘Body Against Body' may look playful, but they're thoughtful, slow-moving pieces that demand close attention, like observing sculpture," Jones explained from New York City in a recent phone interview.

"It was through these early duets that Zane and I first made our name," Jones says, speaking of the late Arnie Zane, his early partner in both the founding of the company, this specific dance piece, and his personal life.

"No one was making work like we were making then. We were not classical dancers, we were not ballet dancers, we were not African dancers. We were doing something much more informed by contact improvisation and very much about the visual world. I am a 6'1" African-American man and Arnie was a 5'4" Jewish-Italian man, and we were exploring these differences in the way we danced together," he says.

The duets, "Monkey Run Road" (1979) and "Blauvelt Mountain" (1980), are both athletic and thought-provoking, an early and striking example of Jones' penchant for exploring contrasts in his work - contrasts in movements, contrasts in form, contrasts even in the physical and emotional make-up of different individuals. At Nazareth, "Monkey Run Road" will be danced by Talli Jackson and Erick Montes; "Blauvelt Mountain" will be danced by Paul Matteson and Jennifer Nugent. By reviving this pivotal and intimate work with different dancers, Jones is re-opening it for new impressions and interpretations.

"Serenade/The Proposition," the other work by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company to be presented in the festival, is less abstract. In fact, it is a piece steeped in American history, contemplating the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and the varying perspectives of history itself. This large-scale work includes sung text taken from Lincoln's documented words and writings, along with excerpts from the speeches of his contemporaries, an original score blending classical and folk, iconic sets, masterful lighting, video, and a full cast of costumed dancers.

Garth Fagan Dance will also evoke history with its performance of an excerpt from Fagan's newly choreographed work, "Madiba," which, Fagan says, is Nelson Mandela's clan name, a name that refers to a person's ancestors and their place in society. The piece is a heartfelt tribute from Fagan to a world leader he speaks of with reverence.

"Meeting him was one of the highlights of my life," Fagan says. "I was so in love with him, love with a capital ‘L,' which includes love and pride for all that he's achieved. A handshake and a hug from him are positively life-altering."

The work is set to a score by South African composer Abdullah Ibrahim and contrasts strong, rhythmic sections with soothing adagio. The powerful Vitolio Jeune will be seen partnering newcomer Tere Lyn Jones in a duet during this excerpt.

The festival audience will see an excerpt from "Until, By & If," a Fagan piece whose choreography was inspired by a Derek Wolcott poem, and which hasn't been staged since 1990. Part of "Landscape for 10" will also be performed, affording viewers a chance to contemplate the sensuality of five pairs of dancers to the soothing music of Brahms. The company will conclude with "Thanks Forty," last year's celebratory work with which Fagan marked the milestone of his company's 40th anniversary. Look for Nicolette Depass' opening solo "MUSE - Work" set to Shostakovich to see a superb example of what a choreographer and a dancer can achieve when they have worked together for 17 years. Fagan intimately understands Depass' gifts and elicits the movements to define them with his demands on her in this solo.

Much fewer than six degrees of separation seems to be the rule in this dance festival. Guy Thorne used to be in Fagan's company; less than two years ago he started his own. FuturPointe will perform on the main stage at the festival in a shared performance with Rochester City Ballet. Led by Thorne and co-directors Heather Roffe and N'Jelle Gage, the company's mission is to broaden the appeal and spectatorship of contemporary dance. FuturPointe describes itself as a fusion company. It combines dancers and choreographic styles from a variety of genres and training, including modern dance, popular-social-folk dance, Caribbean, African, Latin, and ballet. The use of multiple art forms in its productions creates a unique aesthetic. The company stages multimedia collaborations with videographers, visual artists, composers, musicians, puppeteers, and costumers. Already, FuturPointe has toured and performed in national venues.

Jamey Leverett, artistic director of Rochester City Ballet, invited the young company to share a program with them in the festival. "They have come together quickly as a company," she says. "They are seasoned professionals with a high level of talent."

Leverett's company is also made up of seasoned professionals. Leverett herself is an accomplished, award-winning choreographer and teacher; her choreography was chosen for "Ballet Builders, New Choreographers on Point." Among other distinctions, her work has been performed at the Jackson International Ballet Competition and the 50th anniversary of Gian Carlo Menotti's Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy. This past spring, Leverett's new, complex, gothic work "The Blood Countess" premiered to great enthusiasm here in Rochester. Next year, Leverett hopes to take it on the road.

For the festival, she has chosen to present three old favorites: "Push and Pull," "How to Break a Heart," and "Lumavoce." "Push and Pull" was one of her very first contemporary pieces, and remains one of her strongest. "Heart" includes the spoken word of former Hole band member Emily Autumn set to the music of Bach. "Lumavoce" is a delicate, yet powerful work that complements movement with minimalist lighting and live singing.

FuturPointe, known for performing in unconventional places, will present a free public performance on the canal towpath at Schoen Place in Pittsford on Sunday, July 10. Last year at the festival the group performed on ArtWalk, outside Starry Nites Cafe on University Avenue, in another site-specific performance.

But on Saturday night, July 9, FuturPointe will be premiering an excerpt from its new work "Sahdji." This is Thorne and Gage's rendition of a short-story ballet about an African love triangle. The original was first performed in 1931 and based on a play written by Richard Bruce during the Harlem Renaissance, then set to music by William Grant Still. In FuturPointe's version, the setting is urban contemporary and depicted using photographic stills, signature pieces of art used to tell a story. The photographs are the work of local photographer Carrie Mateosian, who works regularly with the company.

After FuturPointe and Rochester City Ballet each perform, they will join forces and present an upbeat fusion piece set to the music of violinist Regina Carter. "How will we aesthetically blend? That's the magical part," Thorne says. "We're combining different dance languages, what they have and what we have. That allows us to be creative. The interplay between our voices, the weaving, that's what makes it exciting."

Likewise, that's what makes this festival exciting - that spark of unpredictability, the hope of unforeseen brilliant moments, the unfolding of a cohesiveness that turns a gathering of accomplished artists into a larger happening, an event.

Other companies participating in this year's festival are Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, PUSH Physical Theatre, Park Avenue Dance, Bush Mango Dance and Drum, Borinquen, Flower City Ballet, Drumcliffe Irish Dance, The College of Brockport Department of Dance, Shaolin Academy Lion Dancers, Da Igramo, Frances Dances, Daystar: Contemporary Dance-Drama of Indian America, Bharata, and LehrerDance.

"We had an excellent response to the festival last year and lots of positive feedback," Leverett says. According to Nazareth, more than 6000 people attended at least some portion of the 2010 festival, its inaugural edition.

"It's great to bring in outside companies and also to feature local talent. I hope that someday it will be like the Rochester Jazz Festival. We know there's plenty of room for this festival to grow; Rochester is very receptive to the performing arts."

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

NOTE: The Nazareth College Arts Center is located at 4245 East Ave. All events free unless otherwise noted. For more information visit go.naz.edu/dancefest.

Friday, July 8

7 p.m.: Pre-performance Lecture: Natalie Rogers-Cropper. A14, Arts Center

8 p.m.: Garth Fagan Dance. Callahan Theater, Arts Center ($30-$50)

Saturday, July 9

11 a.m.: Dance Walk on ArtWalk Led by Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company. Parade to be held weather permitting; assemble by 10:45 a.m. at Starry Nites Café (696 University Avenue); performance showcase and community dance event on Memorial Art Gallery grounds (rain space Village Gate).

7 p.m.: Pre-performance Lecture: Jamey Leverett. A14, Arts Center

8 p.m.: Rochester City Ballet with FuturPointe Dance. Callahan Theater, Arts Center ($30-$50)

10 p.m.: Post-show Talkback. Callahan Theater, Arts Center

Sunday, July 10

1 p.m.: Strolling on the Canal Led by FuturPointe Dance. Schoen Place, Village of Pittsford (rain space: Eastview Mall, Victor)

6-8 p.m.: Dancing on the Grass I Performances by Flower City Ballet, Drumcliffe Irish Dance, The College of Brockport Department of Dance, and the Shaolin Academy Lion Dancers. Outdoor stage by Golisano Academic Center (rain space: Callahan Theater)

8 p.m.: Panel Discussion Dancing on the Grass groups with MaryLee Miller. Outdoor stage by Golisano Academic Center (rain space: Callahan Theater)

Monday, July 11

4 p.m.: Adult Master Class Led by Park Avenue Dance. George Hall Dance Studio, Arts Center

6-8 p.m.: Dancing on the Grass II Performances by Da Igramo, Frances Dances, Daystar: Contemporary Dance-Drama of Indian America, and LehrerDance. Outdoor stage by Golisano Academic Center (rain space: Callahan Theater)

8 p.m.: Panel Discussion Dancing on the Grass groups with Bit Knighton. Outdoor stage by Golisano Academic Center (rain space: Callahan Theater)

Tuesday, July 12

4 p.m.: Adult Master Class Led by Bharata. George Hall Dance Studio, Arts Center.

6-7:30 p.m.: Dancing on the Grass III Performances by PUSH Physical Theatre. Outdoor stage by Golisano Academic Center (rain space: Callahan Theater)

7:45 p.m.: Artist Conversation Darren Stevenson from PUSH, with Thomas Warfield. Outdoor stage by Golisano Academic Center (rain space: Callahan Theater)

Wednesday, July 13

4 p.m.: Adult Master Class Led by Bush Mango Drum and Dance. George Hall Dance Studio, Arts Center

8 p.m.: Community Dances Square dancing; swing dancing; Broadway. Concurrent sessions in Otto A. Shults Community Center.

Thursday, July 14

4 p.m.: Adult Master Class Led by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. George Hall Dance Studio, Arts Center

4 p.m.: Youth Master Class Led Borinquen Dance. Sands Performance Studio (A125), Arts Center

8 p.m.: Discussion: Bill T. Jones and Garth Fagan Moderated by Deborah Ronnen. A14, Arts Center

Friday, July 15

4 p.m.: Adult Master Class Led by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. George Hall Dance Studio, Arts Center

7 p.m.: Pre-Performance Lecture Janet Wong, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. A14, Arts Center

8 p.m.: "Body Against Body" By Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Callahan Theater, Arts Center ($50-$65)

10 p.m.: Post-show Discussion: Bill T. Jones. Callahan Theater, Arts Center

Saturday, July 16

7 p.m.: Pre-Performance Lecture: Janet Wong, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. A14, Arts Center

8 p.m.: "Serenade/The Proposition" By Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. Callahan Theater, Arts Center ($50-$65)

9:15 p.m.: Post-show Discussion Bill T. Jones. Callahan Theater, Arts Center

10 p.m.: Party in the Garden Wegman Family Sculpture Garden, Arts Center upper entrance (rain space: Jayne C. Summers Hall, Arts Center lobby) (Admission included with performance ticket)

SIDEBAR:

Images of dance

While you're enjoying the many Dance Festival events on the Nazareth College campus, stop into the Colacino Gallery in the Arts Center to take in "Of Flight and Shadow," a photography show by Ken Riemer, featuring FuturPointe Dance. The images feature graceful bodies floating midair, haloed by light from above and mimicked by their shadows below, which become abstract studies of geometry.

"My work with dancers captures the intersection of movement, light, and time," says the artist in a provided statement. A result of ongoing collaboration with the dancers, the body of work is a result of capturing precise moments, without the use of Photoshop or other alterations. "The dancer's shadows add a dimension that enables the viewer to better understand movement and form, thus providing a greater appreciation of the beauty, strength and grace of the subject. The shadows work in harmony with their physical counterparts, squally critical to the final composition," Riemer says.

An opening reception will take place Thursday, July 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m., and the show will remain on display throughout the festival. Hours for the Colacino Gallery are 5-8 p.m. daily, and admission is free. For more information visit naz.edu. - BY REBECCA RAFFERTY