Dance company’s ‘Duets’ returns to live stage

After its second annual “Duets for My Valentine” went online last year because of COVID, the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company’s February production returns as a live performance next week at the Crown Uptown.

And Klenjoski says this year’s version is a “celebration of love.”

“More than ever, celebrating the one commodity we all have access to, and how important it is for finding joy right now and leaning on each other,” she said.

The choreographer is proud of all the works her six-person company is presenting but is the most intrigued by “The Space Between,” featuring guest dancer/choreographer Tristian Griffin and company member Rhiannon Vieyra.

“It’s a movement investigation of the emotional and physical distances we experience in a deeply loving relationship,” Klenjoski said. “I found it really intriguing to think about that in a physical sense.”

She said the piece was partially inspired by her relationship with her husband.

“We don’t want to be apart very much,” she said.

And even though the program has “Duets” in the title, Klenjoski will debut one featuring a trio.

“Duets come in many configurations,” she said. “It’s inspired by the unplanned and serendipitous duets that we experience on a daily basis as we go about our lives — at the checkout, at the bus stop — and these very brief duets or interactions with strangers that we have. The joys we have, the high points of those and how they affect us.”

Nick Johnson, former director of the Wichita State dance program and artistic director of Alithea Mime Theatre, will also direct his piece “InsideOut” with another dancer, and perform with cellist Quinn Lake and marimba player Andy Slater.

The company also will stage “Conquest,” performed at the first “Duets” program in 2020, with two different dancers, Klenjoski said.

In addition to the performance, a pre-show rendezvous is scheduled for 7 p.m., featuring a wine tasting from Grace Hill Winery and sweets from Frost Bake House and Creamery, as well as a silent auction of local artwork. Tickets for the rendezvous are an additional $15.

‘DUETS FOR MY VALENTINE’ BY REGINA KLENJOSKI DANCE COMPANY

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12

Where: Crown Uptown, 3207 E. Douglas

Tickets: $25-$30 reserved seats, $20 seniors, $10 students with ID, at crownuptown.com or 612-7696