dance

Three dancer/choreographers all living in different states, each with a different aesthetic, may seem an unlikely and inconvienent makeup for a company. It's working for Travesty Dance Group, though, whose name winks at their situation. "The fundamental idea is that we will rise above travesty, and inspire and enlighten," says Rebecca Malcolm-Naib, who co-founded the ensemble with Kimberly Karpanty and Karen Stokes. The trio met back in '96, when they were all teaching colleagues at Kent State University. "We liked each other so we decided to form a company," says Malcolm-Naib, who asserts they work well together despite being "very different in terms of approach to dance and movement and topics." Malcolm-Naib notes that her own work is "the most traditionally dancy with the most flowing movement," Stokes' work tends to be more angular and gestural, and Karpanty's style is "pretty intense and her movement style is very flung and athletic."

This weekend Travesty presents Life Lines, so named because, as Malcolm-Naib explains, "each piece in some way captures a bit of humanity -- ecstasy, depression, troubles with relationships. It's windows into life." Besides the trio, featured performers include local dancers Karin Bookbinder, Katharine Livingston (also a guest choreographer), Heather Murphy and Renee Robinson-Buzby.

Travesty Dance Group, Fri.-Sat., Nov. 11-12, 8 p.m.,$10-$20, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.