Impulse and spontaneity are the only things that seem “regular” in our lives. But in today’s world, “life is not regular,” or so says dance instructor Valerie Williams.

Inspired by Jeff Grater’s quote “Life and love and fire don’t happen in 4/4 time,” Valerie Williams Co’Motion Dance Theatre will be presenting the dance performance “Our Times” in Ames the next two weekends.

Williams attended a lecture where Ames composer Jeff Prater was speaking about his music and after hearing him, she remembered his quote and thought about the truth behind it.

“I wanted to explore some of the different atmospheres, attitudes and conditions that make us human and keep life interesting,” Williams said. “None of the music in ‘Our Times’ is in 4/4 time.”

Founded in Des Moines by Williams 20 years ago, the Co’ Motion Dance Theater is a professional company that is currently working in residence with Iowa State University.

The partnership between Co’Motion and ISU allows the dance theater to have rehearsal space and allows theater members to serve as substitutes when needed, design costumes and occasionally teach master classes.

“Our Times,” includes six professional dancers including Williams, Lana Lyddon Hatten, Hank Adams, Kara Francis, Jenn Girton and Amy Snoddy and consists of five major parts.

“I decided that because our theme and the tango are traditionally associated with passion and deep feelings, we needed to do a tango,” Williams said.

After the opening tango, the show will have excerpts from her concert titled “Requiem” including the dances ‘Jump Quick,’ ‘Babe’ and ‘Regret.’

“‘Jump Quick’ was written as little remembrances to myself about the people I know and the things I like such as the waltz,” Williams said. “When my father almost died, I made dances that reflected how I felt.

Some of these feelings are also reflected in ‘Babe.’

“Again when my friend died, I felt a strong sense of frustration as he could still reach out and touch our lives but we couldn’t touch him back,” Williams said. “These feelings are expressed in the dance ‘Regret.'”

The third part of her performance contains music by Stravinski. “These are hard dances. They require enormous technique, strength, control and balance,” Williams said.

Although the dances may be difficult, Williams also expressed that this part of the show is also a lot fun. “The music sounds like a polka and then like bubbles and then almost like dinosaurs walking,” she said.

Part four includes music by Bartok and a dance titled “Leanings.” The dance expresses psychological biases to actual physical leanings.

“The movement takes on its own life,” Williams said. “I’m concerned that we are communicating ideas with the audience just as in a story or novel.”

Williams commented that she often hears people saying “I don’t get it” at the beginning of a dance performance. Williams feels that people need to understand that “dance takes place in time like a novel does.” People must watch the entire show to understand what is happening.

The end of the show features music by Dave Brubeck and focuses on music written in different time.

“The dances are really fun,” Williams said. “And they are only there for us to have a good time.”

According to Williams, modern dance is choreographed according ideas instead of the music and the concert should not be difficult to watch. “Modern dance is a different way of looking at movement,” she remarked.

“I feel privileged to work in the arts,” Williams said. “I appreciate being around people who think, consider and construct all of the time. I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it.”

“Little makes me feel as complete as dance does,” she continued. “I get to create, jump around and think every day. Dance uses all of me — my physical and my spiritual energies.”

“Our Times” opens Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Ames City Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for students and $10 general admission and are available at Big Table Books and at the door.

Other performances of “Our Times” are scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 p.m. and Feb. 13 and 14 at 8:00 p.m.