Dance on the Edge, the region's only contemporary dance series, will open its sixth season with a performance by Japanese dancers Eiko and Koma at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24 at Towson State University.
Followers of the German modern dance movement, Eiko and Koma began their collaboration in Japan in 1971, having previously studied law and political science. Now permanent residents of the United States, they have toured extensively for the past 15 years and received numerous grants, including awards from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Their Towson performance will include "Passing," a section of a work commissioned by the American Dance Festival, which features a stage covered with water upon which the dancers appear to walk.
The couple will also teach a "Delicious Movements" workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 24. Class size is limited.
Tickets for the performance are $15 for adults; $13 for TSU faculty; staff and alumni; $11 for senior citizens, non-TSU students and children; and $5 for TSU students. For details about the performance or class, call (410) 830-3369.
Dance on the Edge, in residence at Towson State University, is presented in collaboration with the Downtown Dance Company and the university's department of dance.
Art for sale
Janet Pope, Luis Flores, Tom Everhart, Ruth Pettus and Mark Barry are among approximately 50 artists who have converted ** old-time wooden school desks into "sittable" works of art for "In-DESK-cribable: Art You Can Sit On," a benefit auction for Mount Washington Pediatric Foundation, scheduled for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. next Sunday at Greenspring Station.
Event organizers hope to sell the desks for a minimum of $100 each. Tickets for the auction are $25 per person and free to children younger than 12. For details, call (410) 578-8600, Ext. 305.
The first annual LOTTA ART benefit for School 33 Art Center, featuring the work of 150 local artists in all media, will run from Saturday to Oct. 17 at the art center, 1427 Light St. The reception is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Each person participating in the event will receive a work of art for the $150 price of a ticket. (Only 150 tickets will be sold.) A drawing at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 will determine the order in which ticket-holders choose their artwork.
Collection viewing times are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the center's exhibitions and programs. For details, call (410) 396-4641.
The quilt-makers
"Quilt -- A Musical Celebration," a new musical inspired by the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, will run in the Tawes Theatre at the University of Maryland at 2 p.m. today and at 8 p.m. Oct. 15-17.
The show looks into the lives of people left behind to make panels for the quilt after losing loved ones to AIDS. It features actors from Washington as well as staff and students.
Performances will also be held Wednesday through next Sunday at Baird Auditorium in the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. Tickets are $12 for general admission and $9 for students and senior citizens. For details, call (301) 405-2201.
Auditions
The Fells Point Corner Theatre will hold auditions for the Baltimore premiere of C.P. Taylor's "Good" at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the theater, 251 S. Ann St. The production calls for eight men age 30 to 50, one woman age 18 to 21, two women in their 60s and two teen-agers age 14 to 18. Auditioners should bring their own music and be prepared to sing. For details, call (410) 526-4787.
Auditions for the Fells Point Corner Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol" are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and 13 at the theater. The play will run Dec. 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12 and 13. The cast will consist of two men older than 50, four men age 20 to 45, two teen-agers and five women age 16 to 40. For details, call (410) 467-9208.
Pumpkin Theatre will hold auditions for its production of "Treasure Island" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and 13 at the Roland Park Public School, 5207 Roland Ave. Parts are open for two women older than 30 and nine men age 18 and older. For details, call (410) 323-9402.