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RIRIE-WOODBURY DANCE COMPANY MISSION

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company is committed to furthering contemporary dance as an accessible and valued art form through performance and dance education that raises standards, deepens understanding, and promotes personal connections with dance.

Ultraviolet Night - 2025 Annual Benefit Party

WHAT IS ULTRAVIOLET NIGHT?

RWDC is at the threshold of extraordinary change and potential. Over the past year, we navigated a leadership transition, with Thom Dancy joining as Executive Director following the tenure of Jena Woodbury, daughter of co-founder Joan Woodbury. This marked an historic moment: the first time in 60 years that the organization has operated without direct involvement from a Ririe or Woodbury family member. Further, we mourned the passing of Joan Woodbury last year, a beloved founder whose vision shaped RWDC into a nationally recognized leader in contemporary dance.

Coincidentally, Artistic Director Daniel Charon, has decided that it is time for him to move on to other opportunities and passions after leading the artistic programming of the organization for over a decade. Mr. Charon’s tenure ends on June 30, 2025. He has been an artistic change-leader for dance in Utah for over 12 years! His favorite color is purple. Thus, the concept of an ULTRAVIOLET NIGHT is realized. One night to celebrate (1) RWDC; (2) Daniel Charon and his 12 seasons of artistic leadership; and (3) the final performance of the 2024-25 season, RE-ACT!, all at once.

This yearly event—the organization’s largest annual fundraiser—promises to be one of the most exciting in years. Bringing nearly 200 donors, dancers, students, educators, professionals, and dance enthusiasts from around the state of Utah. Funds raised during the event will directly benefit the Company’s mission: to furthering contemporary dance as an accessible and valued art form through performance and dance education that raises the standards, deepens the understanding, and promotes personal connections with dance.

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SENDING OFF OUR ARTISTIC LEADER AND AMAZING FRIEND

Mr. Daniel Charon, Artistic Director of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company for over a decade has decided there are other adventures and new passions that need to be explored and pursued! The 2024-25 season will be his last as our Artistic Director. One thing that we know and love about Daniel is that he loves purple! In honor of this love, we've named our 2025 annual benefit party, ULTRAVIOLET NIGHT! It is a night to celebrate so much about RWDC. We will explore our lauded outreach/education department. We'll raise funds to help secure RWDC's future. We'll enjoy the last show of our 61st season (and Daniel's last show as Artistic Director). And we're going to give Daniel a loving (albeit early) send-off! It all comes together to form Ultraviolet Night. 

Introducing Daniel Charon to you:  Artistic Director of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company since 2013, Daniel Charon has been active as a choreographer, teacher, and performer for over twenty-five years. While based in New York City, Daniel maintained a project-based company and primarily danced with Doug Varone and Dancers (1999-2010) and the Limón Dance Company (1997-1999). He is a BFA graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts and an MFA graduate of the California Institute of the Arts in Choreography and Integrated Media. As Ririe-Woodbury’s Artistic Director, Daniel has created over 20 original works for the stage, gallery installations, and has designed video for his and other choreographers’ works. As an independent choreographer he has presented multiple full evening concerts in New York City, has been produced by various theaters, and has been commissioned to choreograph new works for many companies, universities, and festivals around the country. Daniel has choreographed The Pearl Fishers, Aida, Moby-Dick, and La Traviata at the Utah Opera. Daniel has taught master classes and workshops nationally and internationally and has taught at the Metropolitan Opera, the Bates Dance Festival, Salt Dance Fest, North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Comprehensive, Varone Summer Dance Workshops, and Limón Summer Workshops. He has been a guest artist and adjunct instructor at numerous universities. Daniel has staged the works of José Limón, Jirí Kylián, and Doug Varone at schools and companies around the world.