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Sarasota News Leader November 16, 2012 The blending of academia with dance perfor- mance will be on display in a number of dance pieces, the news release adds. VPA dance instructor Courtney Smith-Inzalaco choreo- graphed her piece based on mathematical principles. She says she drew inspiration from the work of mathematician Vi Hart, whose popular blog takes a quirky, pop-culture ap- proach to math. Lodhi's piece was originally created for Oc- tober's diversity event, We Are Sarasota. The dance dramatized tension between racial groups in the history of civil rights, the release points out. "I've since developed the piece into a broad- er work that takes a more abstract approach "Few musical groups can say that they were pioneers of their genre, but Mannheim Steam- roller is without a doubt one of them," says a news release from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Even the group's name has become synonymous with the Christmas season, the release points out. The Van Wezel will welcome Mannheim Steamroller to its stage on Nov. 16, just before the holiday season begins in earnest. Led by Chip Davis, the group's first Christ- mas album, released in 1984, "was a smash hit which hurtled the already Platinum selling group to mega-stardom," the new release says. Page 94 to the theme of separation," Lodhi said in the news release. "Now it explores societal and political issues as they relate to the experienc- es of individuals." The performance also will feature styles of dance ranging from ballet, choreographed by Deborah Vinton, to Afro-Cuban dance, cho- reographed by Leymis Bolaños-Wilmott. Tickets are $15 for regular admission; $5 for students (kindergarten through college); and $10 for seniors (ages 55 and up). They may be purchased online at www.vpabooker.com or by calling Judy Piercy at the VPA box office: 355-2967. Tickets also will be available at the door. MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER TO TAKE VAN WEZEL STAGE NOV. 16 Twelve albums later, "Mannheim Steamroll- er has become the quintessential source for a music style which has now become an Amer- ican Christmas tradition," the release adds. Mannheim Steamroller also created a 12-hour, nationally syndicated radio program titled, "An American Christmas," which features music and narrated stories; it is broadcast by more than 250 radio stations, the release notes. Tickets for the Sarasota show are priced from $30 to $85. For more information, call the box office at 953-3368 or visit www.VanWezel.org. Take Your TimeYou Have All Week Enjoy The News Leader Anytime - Day or Night