Perhaps it's a reflection of our times, perhaps a mere coincidence, but the predominance of black costumes and serious themes distinguishes the current "Winter Footholds" dance concert. Overall, the program is a stimulating and thoughtful evening of dance.

This biannual concert features student choreographers exhibiting their creative offerings while student dancers display their skills. It's presented by the UH-Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance. The exception is a piece by Lauren Thompson, a faculty member from Southern Methodist University, whose upbeat sextet shows that the dancers also have a flair for the theatrical and more commercial side of dance.

Carolyn Wilt's octet for seven women and one man opens the program, showing off the choreographer's strong background in classical dance and genuine gift for composition.

Less developed but nevertheless showing promise are works by Sarah Jane Carlton, Becky McGarvey and Jennifer L. McGowan that follow. In the latter's case, the solo, though beautifully performed by McGowan, is so short one would almost rather call it a "study" in choreography.

McGarvey's quartet in black and white (once again, the overriding thematic color scheme of the evening) depicts tension between three dancers in black who pace backward across the stage, while Gwen Arbaugh, clad in white, dramatically commands center stage.

Carlton's duet, "In the Mirror," features two dancers, initially moving symmetrically, then diverging, ultimately to rejoin and end up back at their "mirror."

Following these darker pieces, a charming solo choreographed and danced by Clara Bowden-Kerby lightens the mood. Dressed in a bright blue variation of a pareo and wearing a flower in her hair, the dancer beguiles the audience with her solo combining various Pacific island cultures' movement styles. The lilting music of Te Vaka accompanies her gracefully swaying hips, gently executed steps, softly gesturing arms and seductive little tilts of the head.

Travers F. King and Lauren Santos collaborate on the intense duet "Out!" They depict a couple in a love/hate relationship. A modern Apache number, they alternately fling themselves at each other and recoil. This emotion-packed dance will undoubtedly speak to anyone who has been in a passionate relationship. King and Santos perform it with intensity and conviction.

Michele M. Painter's solo "Continuum" provides a quiet, reflective contrast to "Out!" Performed to a lilting spiritual that proclaims, "There is a mighty spirit shining all across this land." Painter begins and ends with a quiet treading step, facing offstage. For the rest, however, she extends her oh-so-long limbs far into space, then executes a series of limpid wavelike torso rolls — all the while exuding quiet concentration. Dance as meditation.

Of the more traditional modern dance works on the program, Travers F. Kings' quartet, "Forbidden," and Shannon M. Yamamoto's septet, "Interludes," stand out for their more complex choreography and inventive use of their respective groups. Yamamoto should also be complimented for her successful collaboration with Ph.D. music student Wesley Johnson.