Just as a dream evokes an array of visions, Margaret Jenkins Dance Company and collaborators are said to emit the joys and tragedies of living through compositions filled with elements of dance, music, poetry, film and fine arts.

The San Francisco-based group animates dance from all angles. The group appeals on an emotional level with an impelling visual impact, emphasized by the powerful movements and gestures of six dancers telling a story with their bodies as a narrator unfolds an unusual series of events.

The nontraditional dance performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb. Margaret Jenkins Dance Company was asked to perform here by the NIU Fine Arts Committee, Chairman Panda Kroll said.

Previously, the group performed in New York, Washington, London, Geneva, Dusseldorf, San Diego, Oakland and San Francisco.

Featured in this show are two multi-faceted pieces – “Shelf Life,” and “Pedal Steal.” Both pieces are representative of post-modern dance, implementing a combination of various arts while highlighting performance art orientations.

David Gere of The Oakland Tribune said “Shelf Life” transcends modern and post-modern forms of dance. He described the performance as a “video-poetic, post-hallucinogenic piece.”

Publicity Manager Laird Rodet said Jenkins’ Dance Company created “Shelf Life” by pulling fictional characters from novels written by Jean Aul, Ray Bradbury, Ferol Egan, Janet Kauffman, Ken Kesey and Tom Robbins representing “Valley of the Horses,” “Death is a Lonely Business,” “A Taste of Time,” “Places in the World a Woman Could Walk,” “Sometimes a Great Nation” and “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,” respectively.

The dancers embody the dissimilar characters and place them into an unfamiliar setting. Oddly interesting groups converge from the characters’ interactions, causing strange scenarios. The piece is narrated, or translated, by a cross-country traveller and set to synthesized music by Paul Dresher.

“Shelf Life,” is said to include various martial arts moves, gymnastics, oriental dancing, pantomime and floor stretching exercises.

In “Pedal Steal,” situations continue to be explored by the performers. Characters/Dancers are implemented into a complicated off-beat drama based on the life of musician Wayne Galley.

Terry Allen’s brand of Tex-Mex music was utilized in this piece to help capture the image of country life.

Ticket prices are $4 for NIU students, $6 for other students and senior citizens and $10 for the general public.

For more information call University Programming and Activities at 753-1421 or Sandburg ticket booth at 753-3146.