A Dazzling Display of Russian Dance ON KEAN STAGE

(Union, NJ) --  Kean Stage presents The Lezginka Dance Company in a performance of traditional folk songs and dances, awesome acrobatics, sumptuous costumes and riveting drum and saber work.  Hailing from Daghestan, Russia, the troupe takes the stage on Sunday, October 30 at 3:00 pm in Kean University's Wilkins Theatre.

This exotic, exciting dance company was founded in 1958 in the mountainous, southernmost region of Russia.  For more than 20 years its organizer and leader was People's Artist of Russia, Tankho Izrailov.  The ensemble of 30 dancers and acrobats performs a variety of traditional dances to recorded accompaniment.  More than rhythmic movement, their choreography conveys the noble endeavors of the Daghestan people, their heroic past, their abundant present and their promising future.  Expressing boundless attachment to their native land, the dances reflect the power of human love, the people's heroic struggle for happiness and enormous pride in their country.

The Lezginka Ensemble offers an extensive program of fiery, temperamental dances of the numerous peoples inhabiting this region.  Its entire choreographic and musical works convey the strength and noble endeavors of the Daghestan people, who are in the forefront of national development of the multinational Russian people.

Each concert is a festival of dance, elegance and beauty.  The Lezginka Dance Company, with its artistic director and choreographer, Zulumkhan Khanghereiev, (People's Artist and winner of State Prize of the Republic of Daghestan), has created a program that brings forth the people's culture, traditions and high performance mastery in all its brilliance.

"For me, dance is life," said Khanghereiev.  "Let your life be like a bright, interesting and unforgettable dance."

Lezginka has performed with consistent success throughout Russia and in many other European and Asian countries.  They return to the United States with a presentation of artistic taste and cultural elegance, performed with savage vigor.  The company's stage interpretation of traditional folklore leaves an indelible impression on audiences while the wild, athletic energy of their dances leaves audiences astonished.

Tickets to Lezginka Dance Company are $30 standard, $20 seniors & students, and can be purchased by calling Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.SHOW (7469), online at www.keanstage.com , or in person at Kean University's Wilkins Theater Box Office, located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.