<p>Photo contributed by Laura Hancock The Eastern Oregon University chamber choir works on choreography for That '70s Show concert. Guest choreographer Catherine Herrmann, center, is an EOU alumna now living and performing in New York City.</p>

A sampling of the grooviest songs of the 70s will be featured during Eastern Oregon Universitys upcoming concert.

Choir Director Peter Wordelman has put together a 29-song lineup featuring solos, ensembles and dance numbers, including famous hits by Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond and Queen. Add a full band, wind instruments and a small bluegrass group, and its sheer That 70s Show magic.

Presented by the universitys chamber choir and music department, the event is Friday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., in McKenzie Theatre on the La Grande campus.

Catherine Herrmann, a former EOU student who now performs and lives in New York City, is creating choreography for the choir that captures a 70s mood.

I like to bring as many of our alumni as possible back to campus to work with our current students, Wordelman said. Catherine is an excellent dancer and a wonderful person. With her connection to several choir members and her own involvement with the department as an undergraduate, she is the perfect person to work with us on the show.

Growing up in La Grande, Herrmann was introduced to music and dance at a young age. Her mother, Swannee Herrmann, is the director of the La Grande School of Ballet and also taught violin, viola and cello for many years. Her father, Tom Herrmann, is a physics professor at EOU. Herrmanns parents both perform with the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra.

 Herrmann divides her time working as a yoga instructor and au pair by day, while taking her dancing career to new heights as an aerialist by night. Aerialism is a form of acrobatics and Herrmann uses hoops, silks, slings and other apparatuses for her midair performances.

In the short time before the production opens, 48 choir members are singing and dancing their hearts out, learning 17 fully choreographed numbers. The routines are challenging, but the students say its great to be working with a professional dancer. By the third day of rehearsal with the largest company shes ever choreographed, Herrmann was impressed with their natural talent.

Their enthusiasm is huge, she said. My focus is really to convey the feeling and energy of the decade and make sure the performers have a good time.

While the disco beats of the songs in That 70s Show wont incorporate any of her aerial stunts, Herrmann will perform with the group during September by Earth, Wind and Fire.

Music and dance are a celebration of life, and this production is an example of people coming together as a community to have a good time and grow, Herrmann said.

Tickets for the performances are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors or $5 each for a group of 10 or more. Tickets are available in La Grande at Sunflower Books, Red Cross Drug Store and the EOU Bookstore. For more information, call Wordelman at 541-962-3638.