If you don’t like it, wait 5 minutes — that’s the old adage about Michigan’s changeable weather. Extend the time frame just a bit, and apply the saying to the choreography on hand January 15-17 at Eastern Michigan University’s 58th annual Faculty and Guest Artist Dance Concert at Quirk Theatre. EMU dance majors and minors perform works by faculty members and guest artists, in styles ranging from classical ballet to modern dance, jazz and musical theater.

The concert is called “Contraposition.” “If you look ups the definition,” EMU dance faculty member Phil Simmons wrote, “you’ll find that it means ‘a position opposite’ or ‘the antithesis.’ Both these definitions aptly describe the original pieces offered at this concert.”

The subject matter of the dances is as wide, if not wider, than the styles. Among the topics treated in movement: the effects of stress; domestic abuse; compassion and its effects on nerve conduction. On the lighter side, there’s the “Four Seasons” fairies’ variation from the ballet “Cinderella.” On the supernatural side, these a dance for ghosts in a graveyard, inspired by a poem on a headstone.

Faculty members Sherry Jerome, Holly Hobbs, Shauna Steele, and Phil Simmons are the in-house choreographers participating in “Contrapositions.” Ballet expert Jerome contributes the “Cinderella” variation (from her December 2009 sold-out production at EMU); Simmons, the music(al) man, comes up with a piece from “Billy Elliot.” Hobbs looks at the evolution of compassion. Steele’s “Carry With Me All Things,” is a study of stress.

Guest artists include Amy Cova, whose “the poet’s croon” uses original music and explores the loss of love; and Matt Farmer, whose spirit dance, “In the Garden of the Ghosts,” is also on the bill. Christopher Huggins’ “Dream Play” celebrates growing up and the experiences that come with maturing. EMU dancers took the work to the Oakland Dance Festival in November, where it was a concert highlight, Simmons said.

Members of the EMU Dance Forum, the non-profit student organization that supports the EMU Dance Program, will be present at the January concerts to raise funds to attend another dance festival, the American College Dance Festival. The 5-day national convention offers daily workshops plus original choreography performed by students from over 20 colleges and universities.

More immediately, the students involved look forward to performing such a great variety of works on their home turf. “You definitely have to be on your toes — well, you know what I mean — on your game, in other words,” said EMU senior dance major Ida Lowback. “This is a welcome challenge, and there’s something for everyone in our 2010 concert.”

PREVIEW “Contraposition” Who: Eastern Michigan University dance majors and minors. What: A concert of dances by faculty and guest choreographers. When: January 15-17: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Where: Quirk Theatre, on the EMU Campus. How much: $10 general admission; $8 with student ID. For reservations, call 734-487-2282 or go to the EMU Convocation Center web site.