In a kaleidoscope of colours, dancers, and performances, the Dance in Common Studio held their first of two dance reviews this past Saturday, May 26.
The second performance will also showcase the work of dancers from across the Cariboo. They have been preparing for the past year, and are set to take the stage on June 2 at the Gibraltar Room at the Cariboo Memorial Complex.
More than 120 dancers took part in the performances, named “Kaleidoscope” from the variety and beauty of the movement.
“We have contemporary, hip hop, jazz, street jazz, latin — which is new this year — and ballroom, and of course, ballet,” said dance instructor Corinne Stromsen.
“It encompasses a bit of everything.”
One of the dances this year features the youngest dance class — five-year-olds — in a tribute to the fire departments across the region.
With each hat featuring a different local fire department, the young dancers help put out a fire, using a real fire hose. It’s a treat to watch the dancers put out the advanced class’s fire dance, and an ode to the work done across the region during last summer.
“We wanted to pay tribute to all our firefighters,” said Stromsen.
Some of the dances also push the artistic limit and have been weel-received so far, she said.
With the addition of more lights and tech this year, Stromsen said she’s hoping the audience enjoys the dancing.
“We wanted it to be more of a story and a show,” she said.
Former dance studio owner Maureen Saunders even made an appearance, visiting Williams Lake in order to watch former students in their performances.
Macy Lainchbury, a student, also choreographed her own peice this year.
Stromsen said the review woulnd’t have been possible this year without everyone who helped her make it possible.
“If I didn’t have all of this help, it would not have happened,” she said, crediting volunteers, parents, even students for their work behind the scenes, doing everything from sewing to odd jobs.
As for the dancers: “They just work so hard.”
Tickets are $15 and available from the Dance in Common dance studio between 3:15 and 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, or can be reserved by messaging the Dance in Common’s Facebook page.