The UNLV department of dance presents two outdoor, socially distanced dances at 11:20 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, on the UNLV Academic Mall, near the Lee Pascal Rose Garden and stairs to the Performing Arts Center. 

Icarus was originally choreographed in 1999 for five dancers who dance the 7.5-minute work on a single spot. The dance is inspired by the Greek mythological character Icarus who was trapped on an island with his inventor father Daedalus. The myth of Icarus speaks of desire — the desire to fly, to soar to new heights, to be extraordinary, to reach the infinite, and to burn as a bright star rather than settle for the mediocrity of the status quo. The myth also speaks of temperance, not allowing desire to become folly, frivolity, and carelessness, where juvenile fortunes and lives that are too skyrocketing, sooner or later end up in a sea of trouble.

"Upon looking at this work in 2020 amidst pandemic and quarantine, it has taken on new meaning. Being stuck, in a single place, in a box, wanting to dance, wanting to soar, and a desire to escape and find freedom, are themes we see and feel today," said chair of dance Louis Kavouras. "Both pieces can easily be performed in a socially distanced manner."

The second work on the program is Lament for 2020, a choral work of contemporary dance to music by Philip Glass. "This dance will be performed around the Lee Pascal Rose Garden and reflects the weight of 2020, the loss, the fear, the sorrow, the unknown, and the hope to reach for a time when we can all be back together and connected."