Inspired by the short stories of acclaimed Italian author Italo Calvino, Ohio State graduate dance student Carol Finley will be presenting “The Birdwatchers Round and Other Short Dances” at Sullivant Hall.Finley’s videodances, created specifically for the camera, along with other dances tell the quirky stories of characters including a group of birdwatchers, a married couple and a neurotic narrator.”All of the dances are different with each having a thing all their own,” Finley said. “One performance is a solo prelude to the birdwatchers and yet another incorporates a church lady that has gone bad.”With an eclectic mix of dance and theater, the show includes four dances, two videodances and original compositions by dance department staff members Tom Kanthak and Brian Casey.”The movement is an unusual mix of pedestrian-like movement along with more technically difficult movement as well,” said graduate dance student Camille Jackson, who will be performing in the show. “There is a variety of styles among the dancers making the movement unusual and very interesting.”According to Finley, the acts include “The Bird, Herself,” a prelude which explores the uncertain territory of a mysterious and misfit bird, and “The Birdwatchers Round,” which features a group of church ladies and their strange and humorous self-discoveries. “Sgorbati,” a videodance, features Susan Sgorbati, a Bennington College faculty member. The piece conveys an emotional world of tension and isolation.A typical living room sets the stage for “Duet For Married Couple,” a funny look at a series of compromises and accommodations, featuring dance department faculty members John Bohuslawsky and Deborah Richter. “A Polka Dream,” a piece including a series of odd circumstances, ends in surprise. The videodances for the event were taped outside of the theater (Sullivant Hall) incorporating different environments and then edited to music, Finley said.Carol Finley is a third year graduate student at the Ohio State University. She began focusing on dance at North Carolina State University where she performed with their dance company for five years. Finley is the 1994 recipient of the ACDFA/Dance Magazine Award for Outstanding Student Choreographer. This concert is presented in partial fulfillment of her master’s degree.”The Birdwatchers Round and Other Short Dances” runs Thursday through Saturday at Sullivant Hall in Studio 3 at 8 p.m. Admission is $3 at the door.