GroundWorks' fond farewell to Akron celebrates weekend of world premieres at Poll festival

GroundWorks DanceTheater gave farewell performances in Akron last weekend that celebrated one of the things they've done best for 25 years: develop and perform new works.

The company performed three world premiere dances as the troupe took its final bows at the free Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at Firestone Park, a city-sponsored festival that carries on Poll's legacy.

GroundWorks was founded by former Ohio Ballet dancer David Shimotakahara, who moved to Akron 41 years ago with his wife, Pandora Robertson, when they both joined Heinz Poll's ballet company. Shimotakahara went on to form the Cleveland-based GroundWorks in 1998.

"What unfolded here in Akron was and still is such an amazing creative life journey for both of us," Shimotakahara said from the stage last Friday. "It has been my privilege to share my work as a dance artist with the people of Akron and 15 years with Heinz Poll's Ohio Ballet and for the past 25 years as the founding artistic director of GroundWorks DanceTheater."

The contemporary dance company performed two dance pieces last Friday night before lightning halted the program, but performed all three works last Saturday. Last Friday night, Seattle choreographer Olivier Wevers was in the audience for the world premiere of his dramatic, emotional dance "The Sixth."

GroundWorks, which will close shop after a final performance Saturday at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, spent a quarter of a century performing in the Akron area several times a year. The company created and produced 118 new works over 25 years, 67 of them commissioned by renowned guest artists and 51 created by Shimotakahara.

Akron's Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival will conclude with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company at 8:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Goodyear Heights Metro Park, 2077 Newton St.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: GroundWorks' fond farewell to Akron celebrates weekend of world premieres at Poll festival