Eastern Michigan University and The Department of Music & Dance will present Merge: The 61st Annual Faculty & Guest Artist Concert at the Quirk Theater this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A mix of faculty and guest artists, this year's concert is said to be "among the most comprehensive" in its history. The concert will feature such names as Detroit Dance Collective co-founder Barbara Selinger; Wendi DuBois, Artistic Director of Youth Dance Theatre of Michigan; Eric Abbot-Main and many more.

Dance themes covered in the show will examine everything from the internal struggle that many women face to the elements of breath and gravity. Professor Sherry Jerome Wilkinson will present excerpts from Igor Stravinsky’s classical ballet "The Firebird" and faculty member Joanna McNamara will offer a contemporary modern work set to music by Philip Glass and inspired by Dylan Thomas’ poem “The Force That Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower.” On the musical side, guest artist Holly Hobbs has created “Guthrie Redux,” which celebrates the works of Woody Guthrie.

The genres range from modern to classical ballet and pointe, to contemporary jazz and contemporary ballet and musical theatre. It will be an exciting night for music and dance fans or those who have ever wanted to check out what our local talent has to offer.

Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. $10/ adults, $8/ students. Order tickets online at www.emutix.com. The Quirk Theater is located on East Circle Dr. on the EMU campus, Ypsilanti. 734-487-2282. For online directions, go to www.mapquest.com, type in "Quirk" "Sponberg" "Theatre" (all three). Their location on GoogleMaps is currently incorrect.