From Classical Ballet to Modern, USF Promises an Inspiring Show

My favorite thing about talking to other dancers is seeing the spark in their eyes when they talk about dance.

I saw that spark when I reconnected with an old ballet teacher from USF, Paula Nunez, to talk about the upcoming USF Spring Dance Concert.

“It will be a strong show with beautiful dancers,” she says, adding she's proud to call two pieces in next week's show her own. One of her pieces, called Fingerprints, was performed in October at the Beijing International Creative Dance Seminar. This piece has been across the globe, and we are lucky enough to go see it in our own backyard at USF Tampa.

Paula describes this work, “where emotional and humorous past and present come together.” In more detail, this piece is a metamorphosis among the dancers who begin pure and innocent, then move through life and experience the good and bad that the world brings to all us. It is a contemporary ballet with music from Max Richter, Oscar Aleman and poems from Shel Silverstein. Yes, it uses poems from our favorite elementary school poet, so there is really no choice to be anything less than amazing.

Paula also staged the pas de trois from Le Corsaire with Osmany Montano. This is one of the most famous classical ballets and the dancers are excited to show off their technique. Other choreographers of the concert include Robert Moses, Bliss Kohlmyer, Kristen O’Neal, and Andee Scott.

The biggest hope for both the choreographers and dancers is that the community becomes more involved. Paula and I discussed the disheartening disconnect between dance and the rest of society and want the gap closed. I can speak from experience that dancers work their asses off -more than any other athlete I know- to create an immaculate performance. These dancers deserve recognition and the art deserves appreciation. 

You can go show your support Wednesday through Sunday (Mar. 2-Mar. 6) in Theatre 1 at the USF Tampa Campus. Check out their website for more info.

Get dancing this week — here's how:

Shows:
The Moscow Festival Ballet performs Cinderella on Sat., Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Get tickets here.

Classes:
Bomba Body offers its weekly classes of Bomba and dance fitness classes on Sat. Feb. 27 in both New Port Richey and Tampa. Email them or call  or 813-446-5068 to register.

Check out Hip Expression’s yoga, Nia, and/or belly dancing classes this weekend. Full schedule and registration here.

I’ll be back next week to tell you all about my upcoming Bomba Body class, so stay tuned!