Pitt Dance Ensemble informally shakes it

There’s nothing finer than shakin’ your rump when good tunes come on. However, sometimes… There’s nothing finer than shakin’ your rump when good tunes come on. However, sometimes it’s better to leave it to those with the experience. The University of Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble – known as PDE – is hosting its fall informal concert tonight.

What does informal mean? No costumes, no lighting, but all fun! The group will be performing numbers that they’ve been rehearsing for some time now, and will feature guest performers from the Black Dance Workshop and dancers from the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown branch. Most of the dances tonight will be student organized and choreographed. This will only whet your appetites for what is to come for the Spring Concert, when everything is in its right place.

PDE is not a group of cheerleaders or gymnasts, but dancers specialized in modern dance, jazz, tap and even ballet. Some of the dancers even specialize in salsa, Irish dancing and African dance, to name a few.

PDE began around the 1950s, and has been under the directorship of Susan Gillis for about 25 years. The group of nearly 80 dancers and choreographers comes together Tuesday nights in Trees Hall to groove, and some even meet up to six times a week.

If you’re looking for something to do on Friday night that won’t dent your wallet and will showcase some lovely people with a sense of tradition, then the informal concert may just be the pick-me-up you need.

The University of Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble performs Friday at 7 p.m. at Trees Hall. Admission is free.