Christine Alton
With the heat boiling outside, the air-conditioned Performing Arts Building was the perfect escape with spirited entertainment.
Seats were filled as the lights dimmed and performers took the stage during the Children’s Dance Theatre on Saturday.
The main feature performance was “Peter and the Wolf,” a musical story that was originally created to teach children the different instruments in an orchestra.
Each character is represented by an instrument throughout the eclectic story of Peter eventually catching “the big bad wolf.”
The young performers shined like the hot sun outside and danced their hearts out. My favorite character was the “terrifying” wolf that continuously ventured up the stairs into the audience, pretending to attack them.
The younger viewers (it looked almost like there was a field trip to Pierce College) laughed with excitement as the wolf danced and growled. It was a fun and cheerful environment, perfect for a Saturday afternoon.
Some other performances included “The Right to Dance” with music by Fat Man Scoop, Freeway and Chris Brown; The Valerio Street School Dance Team and “Rhythm of the Rails.” This elderly tap dancing duo wowed the crowd, with fans clapping along to the music and whistling loudly after each difficult step. The woman was the little old lady from “The Wedding Singer” and was just too cute with her tap shoes and break dancing moves.
The first prize winners of the Star power National Talent Competition, 2006, performed to traditional Russian folk music. These young girls were adorable and completed some amazing moves.
Dancing with their legs fully extended with feet above their heads, doing toe touches and traditional Russian style kicks were incredible for girls with such short legs.
The best part was when one little girl lost her shoe, but didn’t miss a beat.
“Tiempo” contained more than 20 couples salsa dancing in unison, while salsa girls danced together behind. The hip shaking fourth and fifth grade dancers from Wilbur Avenue Elementary School smiled and infected the crowd with applause.
Finally, “The Magic Scarf” portrayed the many uses for a handy dandy scarf. From flying with the scarves tied like capes to hula with scarves flowing off their hands, each child was magical.
The children were absolutely magnificent.
There is nothing negative to say about a bunch of kids doing something productive and putting on a wonderful performance. Each little goof and new cute kid does something to make the audience go wild.
There is no judgment and nothing is taken to seriously. Everyone laughs and claps enjoying each and every fumble along the way.
All of the performers were wonderful and deserved every hoot and holler from the parent-and-child watchers. As an observer, I could tell the performers truly enjoyed themselves.
It was definitely an hour in which an adult could find their inner child.