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Department: The Arts The Arts: Dance Through Decades/Sisterhood Beyond Dance/Gettin Jig-gy by Kelly Stahl
GETTIN JIG-GY
 | | Dancer Nora Parker at Oktoberfeis 2010. Photo courtesy Nora Parker. |
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Not even open six months and the Steamboat Springs branch of Bennett School of Irish Dance has 25 students who rigorously practice weekly in hopes of being the next Riverdance legends, or maybe just to be inspired.
“Sometimes Irish heritage drives students’ interest, but most have seen it and are just fascinated by it,” says the school’s owner, Nora Parker. “I was raised overseas and grew up with ballet, but what I like about Irish dance is that it has much more variety.”
Student McKendrey McGown’s interest in Irish dance comes from her strong Scottish/Irish heritage and a longtime interest in dance. “I’ve been dancing forever – my whole life,” she says. Inevitably, with a name like hers and annual trips to the Long’s Peak Scottish/Irish Festival, McGown relates to this Celtic custom.
“I really want to go to Worlds,” McGown says of the art form’s top-level competition. With dance practice three times a week and monthly competitions, this Steamboat freshman is one focused teenager.
McGown and her fellow dancers compete in solo and group (ceili) performances against seven other Irish dance schools in Colorado. McGown’s favorite social aspect of Irish dance is the ceili parties throughout the year. This potluck-style celebration allows young and old to connect with their Irish heritage and “just dance.”
Irish dance involves a still upper body, arms held at the side and rhythmic footwork. The four styles of soft shoe and three styles of hard shoe dances help create the characteristic timing. “The music is the most important thing; there’s no room for interpretation. If you’re competing and your timing is off – you’re toast!” Parker explains.
Along with coaching, Parker travels to Denver once a week to the original Bennett School of Irish Dance for her own four-hour practice. She has worked hard for her title of preliminary champion; Parker now competes against adults and teens all over the country. “What they do at Worlds is much harder than what I’m teaching here.”
The Denver-based school started in 2002 after Molly Bennett and partners turned their passion into a business. The philosophy of Bennett Schools is to provide instruction for all ages and all abilities. Having danced for 15 years in Steamboat, Parker had a strong following that enrolled in the Steamboat branch of the Bennett School. Classes are held at Excel Gymnastics. n
For more information on the Bennett School of Irish Dance, call 970-879-2205.
DANCE THROUGH THE DECADES
 | | The Steamboat African Dance & Drum Ensemble performs at the 2011 Steamboat Dance Theatre concert. Photo courtesy Mike Kinnecom. |
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The old red and blue gondola cars were still swaying 100s of feet above the Steamboat Ski Area and mountain biking was yet to be “discovered,” but dance already flourished in Steamboat Springs in 1972. Originally called the “New Dance Group,” then “Depot Dance Theatre,” the organization was later renamed Steamboat Dance Theatre and a community mainstay was born.
During the past 40 years, SDT has developed into a year-round organization, offering classes and dance scholarships, hosting visiting professional troupes and outreach programs. Plus, of course, its always sold-out annual dance concert.
“Looking back, it’s the funny things you remember, the mistakes made or the people you laughed with. It’s mainly the people more than the dancing,” says dancer Jean Labaree. For her, the 1980s were the most memorable – a time of tap, jazz and building lifelong friendships.
This year she’s dusting off the tap shoes and choreographing a piece for the 40th anniversary concert, “Dancing Through the Decades,” with newfound friends and those she laughed with decades ago…like Gina Toothaker, who also choreographed a piece for this year’s annual concert, Thursday-Saturday, March 15-17.
Their pieces are two of 16 in the performances. In honor of its big anniversary, the 2012 event is showcasing a range of dancers. “We have people who danced 30 years ago and brand new dancers. It’s a nice blend of past and present,” says Toothaker.
The volunteer dance crew of 150-plus began rehearsals in November, practicing pieces ranging from country to African.
“The annual concert is what we’re most well-known for. But it’s the lifeblood to everything else we do year-round,” says six-year SDT president Traci Smith. The annual concert is the main source of revenue, which allows SDT to “get the word out, to promote dance in our community all year.”
The group funds a scholarship program, which will award more than $7,000 in 2012 for dance students of all ages with financial need, Smith says. SDT would also like to build on last year’s successes and ramp up its school outreach program this year. And community events like last year’s free library series will continue.
For more information, call 819-1710 or visit www.steamboatdancetheatre.org.
SISTERHOOD BEYOND THE DANCE
A Middle Eastern custom has charmed its way into the Yampa Valley and changed the lives of eight women who now share a spiritual connection beyond the flowing chiffon and bare-midriff attire of belly dancing.
During the life of Jasmir Belly Dance Troupe, monumental events have changed the lives of many dancers: two women married, three had their first child and others have suffered the loss of loved ones, just to name a few.
“We’ve been through a lot together. I’ve developed real relationships with these women,” says dancer Dawn Cook. “It’s more like a sisterhood.”
The foundation of belly dance is isolation, Cook explains. Move one body part at a time, then begin layering movements on top of the other. The end result is a goddess-like performance that moves the audience as well as the dancer. Jasmir Troupe Director and Choreographer Carrie LaPlante says this is “my own personal outlet in creativity.”
The Jasmir Belly Dance Troupe is part of this year’s Steamboat Dance Theatre annual performance, Thursday-Saturday, March 15-17. LaPlante chose a ‘90s alternative metal song as their tribute to “Dancing through the Decades,” SDT’s theme for the 40th anniversary concert. “This is not your typical belly dance music,” she admits. It is “dark and powerful, but full of grace and beauty.”  | | Carrie LaPlante, Melissa Gray and Courtney Anderson dance at Steamboat All Arts Festival. Photo courtesy Fred Grippa |
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The origin of belly dance is highly debatable. For the past few centuries, many saw belly dance as an exotic/erotic performance, but the women who dance it today say it helps them connect spiritually and to feel good in their own skin.
Jasmir Troupe practices tribal fusion belly dance but isn’t confined to one style. “We are always growing and evolving,” LaPlante says. Differences in style come from a combination of costume, music and stylization.
Weekly dance rehearsals and year-round workshops create an opportunity for improvement. But strengthening the bond that flows among these women seems to be what drives them. “Traveling to workshops is a good excuse for a girls’ getaway,” LaPlante says. “But it’s about the sisterhood, the celebration of being a woman.”
For more information on Jasmir Belly Dance Troupe, call 970-291-9232 or visit www.danceinsteamboat.com.
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